I massaged the soft area, preferring very much to avoid that outcome. Putting on this charade in front of these people was only the first obstacle. The second would be upon arrival. Despite the chill that lingered in the air, my palms turned clammy. Lying to this group about who sent me here and why was one thing, but once we reached the camp, I would have to avoid that lie at all costs. Clearly, this Marvoe character hadn’t been in communication with Taja regarding the hunting issue. At least, if he was, that’d be one hell of a coincidence.
Judging by the cavalier attitude toward the murder of their own people, I wouldn’t see another day once I’d been exposed as a liar. Dae had said they would have tortured Alba. I held no disillusions it would happen to me as well.
Chewing my bottom lip, I stared across the barren, still sleeping outpost. Not once had I been in proximity to anyone with shifting abilities to learn that my magic extended to them in their transformed state. During my brief interactions with Dante in Radhak’s tent, he’d mostly been human, but his beast form spoke normally. Not a typical shifter since he wasn’t bloodborn, I guessed.
I hadn’t thought there’d be anything new to learn about my ability. In the surprise of it all, I’d been too quick to reveal thatI also possessed magic. If I could go back, I would have put my guard up to protect that secret.
My chest caged my heart like a vise. I’d trapped myself by revealing that information. I’d been too accepting of Dae’s kindness. Only now was it occurring to me that maybe he had other intentions.
His friends took Alba by violence and force, but he’d seen that I was capable of protecting myself. Maybe he’d been clever enough to realize he needed another tactic. To bring me along willingly on this trip. To present me to his leadership once we arrived. They hadn’t hunted successfully at that point. What if I was to be his trade for salvation? Maybe he didn’t need me after catching the boar, but then he found out I had magic…
I swallowed the fear rising in my throat. At least, I hoped it was only fear. All of this was enough to make me sick to my stomach. How had this gotten out of my control so fast? Rav would have me on my ass in the sparring ring for being so haphazard about my approach. Tio would lose his mind that I didn’t send Braxius to him so he could come after me.
They’d be furious, and they’d be right to be. I’d worked with what I had, which was essentially nothing. And even my genius idea of saying I’d been sent to aid their hunt had an expiry. Another scan of the trees beneath the pale blue sky didn’t reveal Braxius, but I wrangled the worry and put it in the box.
At this point, I was stranded without a life vest and no choice but to continue.
Dae rounded the corner, this time as a man. Seeing him did something to that organ in my chest and made my skin heat. It was easier to dismiss snuggling with an oversized tiger, curling up into its soft, warm body. Rocking back and forth with his breathing had been more soothing than a lullaby as a child. But the man before me, with chiseled edges and dark beauty, madethe idea of snuggling up against him far too intimate. Especially if he was leading me to slaughter.
Calming my rising heart beat, I forced myself to remain sharp. Why had he changed? Was it to cut off our telepathic abilities? Was he finally willing to see me fail? He walked toward me, still hosting an obvious favor to his left leg. Then he held out his hand.
Nuts. Just like yesterday.
“We’re only a day and a half from camp. I’ll need to remain shifted to carry that boar, and I can go longer in that state without food. You can go ahead and finish these.”
He let the handful drop into my palm. He was sacrificing the last sustenance he had. My stomach grumbled as if on cue. Reconciling the man before me with the wicked group he aligned with felt unnatural.
“I’ll get you some water.” He walked away, presumably back to where his companions holed up for the night since that one guy carried Dae’s pack.
My stomach cramped, and I knew there was no rationing to be done. I crammed the entire fist full in my mouth, which I instantly regretted when my cheeks bulged like a chipmunk. I tried and failed to work through it before Dae returned, but he stopped short with the waterskin and stared at me.
I slowly worked another attempt at chewing the mound in my mouth.
“I’m surprised you let me keep my fingers,” he said, coming closer and handing me the skin.
I had to fight the smile that threatened to break, knowing if I did, a mushy pile of nuts might squeeze out the front. Saying thank you wasn’t an option either, so I only dipped my chin.
He crossed his arms and angled away, looking at the other side of the cliff face. “They’re waking. Everything’s too wet to make a fire and cook some of that pig, so we’ll have to continue.” Hereturned his gaze, and I couldn’t quite read his expression. Not that I was trying too hard, my concentration directed toward emptying my mouth.
He retreated a few steps, then shifted. It happened so fast, but the change was incredible. His dark skin had expanded to the point where it appeared to rip, but beneath the rip emerged patterned fur that grew until it encompassed his new massive frame. His clothes had torn, but were consumed by the change, as if they too became part of this giant cat.
Which I supposed was convenient since the other option would reveal his completely naked body. I stuffed that thought in a mental box, too.
His steps were majestic as he stalked toward where his companions had tucked in for the night. I worked my jaw until I was able to swallow a portion of the salty paste.
A roar rent the air, deep and savage. If there’d been birds in the trees, they would have fled from the threatening sound. Instead, only a couple human screams erupted, followed by very loud cursing.
Dae prowled back to me, and I swallowed the rest and took a sip of water before breathlessly saying, “If I had slept any longer, is that how you would have woken me up?” I had one brow raised, my eyes wide with the thought of how unpleasant that would be.
“I didn’t see Braxius, but if he’s even relatively close, he should have heard that.”
I brought the waterskin to my lips but paused. He did that for Braxius? Because I expressed my concern last night? My mind hollowed itself. We stood in awkward silence, staring at each other because I couldn’t formulate any words.
Mumbling broke the quiet as his companions dragged themselves from their hideout. They stretched, clearly sore froman uncomfortable sleep. Yet I had slept like a baby, the best sleep I’d had in days.
Dae gracefully laid down, licking along his teeth before a yawn broke free.
“Did you sleep well?”I guess words finally came, though I had no idea why I chose those.
