“The fact remains; Cassie is still unprotected until you decide what to do next. I will put K’kaen on her tail for now.”
It was so matter of fact, the way S’samph said it, the way he laid bare Örim’s inadequacies as a mate. Because even if they hadn’t discussed it explicitly, she was his, and he couldn’t adequately stand between her and a threat. He wasn’t physically imposing or skilled with a weapon. It had never mattered before. The emotion was ugly, realizing there were ways he couldn’t protect Cassie even though he wanted to. But he also couldn’t disagree with S’samph’s assessment of the situation.
“Is Cassie still at the training grounds?”
“She is. Should I have K’kaen bring her here?”
“That would be helpful.”
S’samph’s frill flattened, but he didn’t say anything else before exiting the schoolhouse. Once he had left, Örim sat at his desk, mulling over the conversations he needed to have with Cassie. He needed to know what had happened if she didn’t injure herself during training. He pulled up his datapad and started researching strange marks on human skin. Most of his results were medical. Rashes. Animal bites. Genetic skin conditions. But there was one that nagged in the back of his mind. Self-injury. It seemed unlikely. Cassie was never alone for very long. But he couldn’t shake the idea.
CHAPTER 31
Cassie
“I should have you disassembled and thrown into the vacuum of space!” The Aviarist smacked Rhea hard across the face. “What were you thinking? You weren’t thinking at all! Not a single thought in your head!” He slapped her again. Rhea dropped to the ground, curling into a ball.
Fuck you. Fuck you and fuck Prima Erum. I’d do it again!
Cassie couldn’t watch as the Aviarist started to kick Rhea, hard, so she moved. She shielded Rhea from the blows. The Aviarist’s shoes pounded hard against her side as he rained down fury on the both of them.
When Cassie stayed behind for her first real lesson with the pulsar gun, Wreeta stayed as well. Although Wreeta was much more composed than Cassie, who was still sweating and shaking from the rigorous drills S’samph had put them through.
“S’samph asked me to help. I’m closer to your size, so your shooting style will be more similar to mine.” Wreeta flexed her feathered arms.
“Wreeta is also out of practice with listening. These drills will be helpful for both of you.”
“I listen just fine.”
“That remains to be seen.” S’samph handed her and Cassie both nulls. All the firepower had been removed. Instead, they fired dyed hydropods.
“Wreeta, show Cassie the correct stance while I set up some targets.” S’samph stalked away with several wooden posts under his arm. He started to stab them into the earth while Wreeta hefted her own null.
“Can’t remember the last time I used a null,” she whistled. “S’samph would pluck my feathers out if he knew, but I actually keep my real pulsar gun in an empty barrel by the docks. Can’t have it at home with all the little featherbrains running around.”
“I won’t tell.”
“You better not.” Wreeta made a soft shrilling sound. “Do you think S’samph would lose his mind if I targeted him accidentally on purpose?”
Cassie laughed as she hefted the weight of the null in her hands. “Better you than me.”
“No, let’s make a bet. First one to hit S’samph with a null accidentally on purpose has to buy the other one a sweet at the general store.”
“No credits.”
“Örim has credits.” Wreeta’s crown feathers fluttered.
“Where is your stance, Wreeta?” S’samph’s hissing voice resonated from the distance, startling both of them out of their scheming. Cassie had never found herself so grateful for an interruption.
"Fine watch and copy, but the bet is on.” Wreeta squared her shoulders and lifted the null, aiming at the central post S’samph had positioned. “Keep your body square to the target. Watch the target, not the pulsar gun. I’m sure S’samph will explain it better.”
After watching and memorizing the stance, she lifted the null, which was heavier than expected and aimed at the central post like Wreeta had. As S’samph finished positioning the posts, he took a step over to the side of the lineup.
“Lower your arm, Cassie.”
“Here, like this.” Wreeta helped her angle her arm the right way at S’samph’s instruction and then resumed her own stance. She fired a shot at the central post. S’samph’s frill lifted.
“Did I tell you to fire, Wreeta? Take a lap.”
