“Your safety is important to me,” I grunt.
She lowers the covers and places a hand on her nose instead, her lips parting slowly before forming a frown. “I… I appreciate that.”
I turn away, tense all over, knowing she is waiting for an explanation, knowing I have confused her by coming in here. Opening my lips slowly to ask her if she wants to come with me, she stops me, speaking first.
“Take me with you,” she bursts out, throwing off the covers and getting off the bed. “You know I can’t stay and if you’re leaving anyway, take me with you. I’m not asking you to protect me or carry me, or anything else, just take me close to an encampment and I’ll go from there. Please. That’s all I’m asking.”
I open my mouth again but she continues, “I’m a good shot. I can watch your back and know enough about what to search for when it comes to foraging for my own food?—”
“And if I do not?” I say, interrupting her. “What will you do then?”
She shifts on her feet, her brow furrowing again. “I already told you. I’ll find someone I can trust to take me…” Her eyes slide away as she trails off.
I hold up my hand, scanning her from head to toe, lingering briefly on her shapely, bare legs. “I will take you but we leave now.”
She starts to say something then pauses, her eyes widening. “Are you serious?”
“Yessss.” I do not tell her what Zaku told me.
Part of me believes she already knows. Even if she did not want to go, she is not welcome here anymore.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Okay!” She looks around quickly, excitement igniting her expression. She turns for the bathroom and dashes away. “I’ll be ready to go in ten minutes.” She enters the smaller room and shuts the door. Hearing the faucet turn on inside, I pivot and leave her room behind, returning to her bag and shouldering it.
With its weight in my hands, I know there is no turning back now. No matter what happens, I will be leaving this house with Julia by my side.
The door to her room opens and she comes walking out, wearing the same uniform she wore the same day I first saw her. I let out a low hiss, not liking her in the soldier clothing but let it go because it appears the clothing offers extra protection. Belted, booted, and wearing a faded, black jacket, she rolls a strap on her shoulder that’s hooked to one of her guns. As she walks over to me, she pulls her hair away from her face, using a string to tie it back.
“I’m just about ready.” She stops when she sees her bag hooked over my shoulder. Her eyes flick to me and her voice softens. “If even half of those ships managed to land, I’m sure I can find passage on one of them. You might not have to worry about me for long…”
“So, are you ready?” I ask when she remains silent, moving her eyes around slowly.
“I…” She startles. “Yeah. I’m just saying goodbye. I feel like I should wait for Daisy and the kids…”
I head for the door. “You can but I will not be here when they wake.”
Hearing her follow me, I pause before turning the front door’s handle, gazing at the row of trees across the yard and briefly searching for movement among them. If any of the naga try to take Julia, I will be ready for it.
“She’ll understand,” Julia says, her voice soft, still talking about Daisy. Glancing over my shoulder, I watch as she pulls her gun forward.
“Stay close to me.”
She looks at me and nods.
“Try not to make too much noise,” I add.
“Got it.”
“If you see or hear anything, you will run.”
She squints, an expression of consideration playing over her features. With a band of cloth tied over her nose, I can only see part of her face. “I will if I can’t get in a good shot.”
My nostrils flare but I accept it, my gaze briefly dropping to her body, recalling what she said to me last night about what she was willing to offer. My stomach tightens as I throw the idea aside. Deciding not to mention it to her, I turn back for the door and open it, sliding into the darkness and whatever lies waiting for us within it. As I do so, and while holding the door open for Julia with my tail, I just hope I am not making the biggest mistake of my life.
I pray that I am not bringing her straight into danger.
