Kur’tok held the fruit above his head while arguing with me. He didn’t notice Kookee creeping forward. It silently unfurled its long tongue and captured the fruit like a chameleon snatching a fly from midair.
“Don’t you contest me, human,” Kur’tok ranted, still heated. “I know what’s best for all my pets. That includes you and—” He suddenly stopped, then grumbled, “Why is my hand covered in slobber?”
I bit my lip so I wouldn’t laugh. Kur’tok’s clueless expression while Kookee licked its lips was just too funny.
“What?” Kur’tok asked at my stifled laughter.
“Um... the fruit’s gone,” I pointed out.
Kur’tok whipped towards Kookee—who looked incredibly satisfied—and gasped. “Kookee! You didn’t eat that wretched thing, did you?”
Kookee snorted from its nostrils and nosed Kur’tok affectionately, as if searching for more tasty fruits. Kur’tok grunted and patted the beast. It was obvious he couldn’t stay annoyed at his pet.
“Your fruit better not make Kookee sick,” he warned me.
“I hope not,” I agreed. “But look how happy it is.”
As the beast nuzzled Kur’tok, his deep frown faded. He closed his eyes and sighed wistfully, stroking Kookee’s snout. He didn’t say it out loud, but I knew he only wanted Kookee to be healthyand happy. The momentary scare—and my accusation that he’d accidentally harmed his pet—stressed him out. Despite my good intentions, I felt guilty. I wanted to make it up to him.
“Hey, Kur’tok,” I said, gesturing to the calm pool at the base of the waterfall. “Why don’t we relax for a while?”
His red eyes raked slowly over my body. “Yes. Let us.”
8 /Kur’tok
I grippedthe human’s leash in my hand as I led us down to the water’s edge. He followed obediently, never fighting back or twisting away, and yet I couldn’t shake the dread that Paz would leave someday.
My fingers curled tighter. He wasn’t going anywhere. Not if I could help it. I’d nail his leash to the floor of my den if I had to.
I still couldn’t believe Kookee ate that foul fruit. It survived up until now on meat alone, didn’t it? Didn’t that mean I did a good job? But though I hated to admit it, Paz was right when he said Kookee looked happy after eating his illicit snack. Maybe the flesh-bag knew more than I thought.
But if Paz was that clever, he’d use his wiles to escape me—and that would not do.
As we stood by the pool, I muttered, “The collar stays on.”
“Sure,” Paz replied.
I narrowed my eyes. I didn’t trust his go-with-the-flow attitude. Behind that casual smile lay a villainous plot to run away and leave me behind.
“The leash, too,” I growled.
“Whatever you say, Kur’tok.”
“Hmph. Get in.”
Paz toed the water’s surface. The edge of the pool was tranquil, broken only by gentle ripples from the waterfall’s impact further away. The human stepped into the water with a content sigh. He lowered his body until only his head and shoulders remained. The rope collar floated on the water like a kelp strand.
Paz tilted his head up at me. “Well? Aren’t you coming, too?”
A strange, warm feeling stirred in my chest. It felt good to be invited.
I leapt in beside him. The water exploded in my wake, crashing over Paz’s head and soaking his head-fur.
“Ack! Dude!” Paz cried. “At least warn me if you’re gonna cannonball like that.”
He shook his head, shooting droplets of water everywhere. I grunted as he flung them into my eyes.
“You’re getting my face wet, flesh-bag,” I complained.
