Evren’s mate Astrid taught me the human letters in secret. Not because it is forbidden, but because the only ones in our village who are learning them are kits. I should not be ashamed or embarrassed to been instructed on how to recognize them, but I still do not want any of my tribe brothers knowing. What reason do I have to know their meaning?
Because I am not confident in my ability, I speak the words out loud and slowly.
“My name is Stella and I am loved. It is important I know that. But I am not safe with the humans any longer. When you find me, do NOT return me to them. Please find me a new family who will care for and protect me as my mother has tried to.”
That is it. No other words are crafted on the material. I study the kit. Stella sounds like a feminine name, but perhaps I am wrong. For now, I will consider her a girl until I am told otherwise. Her hair is dark like Remi’s and her eyes are a bright blue to match the blooms of the nenuphar bush she laid within and that dust the ground beneath it.
“Stella. That is your name.”
Just then, her lips curl upward and she smiles broadly at me with a toothless mouth that leaks water from the corner. In that moment, I know I will be the one who cares for and protects her from whatever harm she might face.
“Zalik, what have you found?” a voice calls out.
With Stella firmly secure within my hold, I turn. Katem and Daveel walk toward me, each carrying a dead dreri over their shoulders. Katem’s eyes widen. “Is that a kit?”
“Her name is Stella.”
Daveel cants his head. “How do you know this?”
I will have to confess my secret. “She has letters written on material attached to her coverings.”
Katem sets down his kill and comes closer to stare down at Stella.
“You can understand the human letters?”
“Astrid taught me.”
He lifts his head. “Perhaps I will ask Piper to teach me. It could be a useful skill to have.”
I am not sure I succeed in hiding my shock, but I try. My gaze drops to Stella and she is looking up at Katem with what I am guessing is curiosity.
Daveel joins us. “What do the letters say?”
“It says her name and that she is loved by her nene, but also that she is in danger at the human settlement. When she is found, she must not be returned there. Instead, she must be kept safe and protected from harm.”
My tribe brothers shift their attention to me.
“You sound as though you will be the one to keep her safe,” Katem notes.
I straighten with pride. “Because I will. I am the one who found her, therefore I am the one who will take on this task. Stella is now under my protection.”
“But you do not have a mate,” Daveel points out as though I do not already know this.
“It does not matter. Deeka has placed this kit in my path and this is the path I will follow. There is a reason I am the one who found her. I do not know what that reason is, but the goddess has a plan. I am sure of it.”
Katem claps my shoulder. “I believe you are right. You will be a great baba to this kit.”
“Your words ease my spirit.” My focus returns to Stella who continues to stare up at us, her gaze sharp as though she is taking in all that we say.
“How will you feed her?” Daveel asks.
“There are many nene’s back in the village. They will know.” Yes, it is a concern, as is how I will still hunt or scout with a kit, but I will make it work.
All my life I have wanted akeeshla. A fated mate sent by Deeka only for me. But almost more than that, I have wanted to be a baba. To have kits of my own. To teach them how to hunt and fight. To explore the hills and the forest and all the other parts of Tavikh. Now that I have claimed Stella as my own kit, she and I will do all these things together.
“The two of you should continue your hunt. I will take my kit back to the village and speak with the shefira.”
“Good luck and many blessings to you,” Katem says.
