“‘Rath’ in our language is directly translated to ‘the end’ in yours. ‘The end of Tuviri.’ I have always thought that strange. That family names mean ‘the end of,’ even when they are ancient lines.”
I didn’t know why he was telling me these things and my confusion must’ve shown on my face.
“What is your family name,vekkiri?” he asked, unmoving. “Do you know it?”
I shook my head, but I watched him closely. “No. I am only called Nelle.”
Orthissie, but only Seerin called me that and I wanted to keep it that way.
Something in his expression changed, just a slight down-turning of his lips. He didn’t look any older than Seerin, but the grave expression on his face reminded me of one of the elders I’d seen in the encampment.
“You will be his end,vekkiri,” thepujerakrasped, “in the literal sense of the word.”
My hand tightened on the bow and I realized now why he’d sought me out.
“I have known him longer than any Dakkari in this horde,” thepujeraksaid next, confirming my suspicions that the two males had a long history. “I know his strengths and his weaknesses. And I see clearly thatyouare a weakness. One that must be ended before it threatens everything we have built.”
He was warning me. That was his intention in coming here.
“You knew him inDothik,” I guessed. “You were one of the ones he watched over.”
Thepujerakdidn’t seem surprised that I knew Seerin’s history.
“AndIwatched over him,” the male returned. “As I have always done. As I continue to do, even now.”
“You love him as a brother,” I guessed next. Why else would thepujerakthreaten me like this, unless he thought he was protecting Seerin?
His eyes narrowed. A silent wind ruffled the furs draped over his shoulders as he said, “You understand nothing of what we have gone through,vekkiri. But our reward was this life, this horde. I will not watch it fall because of one female, who comes from nowhere, who comes from no family.”
Something occurred to me just then and I asked, “Rath Tuviri…it’s his mother’s line, is it not?”
Seerin had never known his father. He wouldn’t have taken his name.
Thepujerakdidn’t need to answer for me to know I was right.
“So, perhaps you are wrong,” I said, clutching my bow tighter, lifting my chin. I wouldn’t be cowed by his threats. “One female’s will helped create this horde. A female who was not of an ancient line, who may not have seemed important to anyone. But she only needed to be important to one.” TheDothikkar. “You believe thatIwill destroy this horde? I’m almost flattered you think I have so much power.”
His laugh was bitter. “Make no mistake,vekkiri, his mother is as calculating and as ruthless as they come. She knew exactly what she was doing.” His head tilted. “Perhaps you are more like her than I first realized.”
My lips pressed together at the barb. Calculating and ruthless?
“Even still, you are not strong enough to be what he needs,” thepujeraksaid next, twisting the knife deep.
Doubt crept into my mind even as I turned away from him, looking back to the target riddled with my arrows.
“If you care for him,” his voice came from behind me, “then you will end it.”
“I will do no such thing,” I said softly, nocking my arrow. But I was rattled, my hand shaking, and when I released, the arrow flew wide, nowhere near its intended mark. My first miss of the night.
“You will leave this horde if you want what is best for him.”
“Are you finished threatening me now?” I asked, whipping around to meet his gaze. A small ball of anger burned in my belly. I wasn’t used to anger. I steered clear from it, but it pinched hard right then.
He was obviously pleased to see he’d struck a nerve and I hated that I’d given him that satisfaction.
“You will see for yourself,vekkiri,” he said, turning, already walking away. “You are a mistake. He will realize that soon enough.”
Chapter Thirty-One
