14
The morning air smelled sharp with pine and stone, cool enough to carve the last of the fever from my chest. My body ached, but the fire under my skin was gone. At least I could breathe again.
“Look at that,” Malakai’s voice cut across camp as soon as I stirred. His smirk was already waiting. “Our fearless guide awakens. Think you can lead today without collapsing, kitten?”
“I’m not the guide,” I muttered, rubbing my eyes.
“You are until I say otherwise.” He leaned back against the rock wall, perfectly at ease. “I enjoy watching you stumble.”
Before I could snap back, Nate crouched down in front of me with his usual grin. “Alive and kicking. Thought we’d have to bury you last night.”
“She doesn’t need your jokes,” Mey said firmly, though her tone softened as she handed me a flask. “Drink slowly. You’ll need your strength.”
“I told you, I’m fine,” I insisted, though the cool water sliding down my throat was like heaven. How many times had I uttered those useless words now? No one listened to them anyway…
“Fine and cranky,” Ashley announced, plopping down beside me and knocking her shoulder into mine. “Good. Means you’re back.”
A laugh escaped me despite myself. Their voices, their concern, it steadied me more than I would care to admit.
By the time we set out, the forest felt almost serene. The trail slithered along the mountain’s flank, pine needles crunching under our boots, shafts of light breaking through the canopy. Moss clung to slick rocks, roots twisted across the trail, and the air was rich with resin and damp earth.
It was peaceful.
Until Malakai spoke up.
“Tell me, sniper,” he said suddenly, voice lazy but sharp. “Do you like her, or are you just trying to memorize her stride?”
My steps faltered, my eyes widened.
Lionel stiffened, jaw tight. “That’s not… sir, you’re imagining things.”
“Oh?” Malakai’s smirk carried in his tone. “What tactical advantage do you gain staring at your squadmate’s swaying hips? I’d love a demonstration.”
Blood flooded my face, I wanted to fade away, disappear.
Lionel’s mouth opened, closed, then stayed shut.
Eve’s laugh cut through the silence, brittle and sweet. “Please. There’s nothing to look at.”
“Wrong,” Nate chimed in cheerfully. “Perfect view, if you ask me.”
“Brother!” Mey snapped, her voice colder than the mountain air.
Nate raised both hands, with mock innocence. “What? I was just contributing to the discussion.”
“Well don’t!” Mey sighed heavily.
Ashley cackled, bouncing on her heels. “This is brilliant. Keep going. I want to see how red Ethalyn can get before she faints again.”
“Enough,” I muttered, but it came out weak against the noise.
Malakai’s chuckle slid low into the silence that followed. “If you’re too scared to take a step, sniper, maybe I’ll do it for you.”
The words hit like a blow. My breath caught, and Lionel’s shoulders went rigid. I wanted the earth to open up and swallow me whole.
Lionel’s answer never came, and perhaps that was for the best, considering my poor nerves were already on the verge of bursting.
It never came because Ashley, of all people, went still, her laughter cut short.
