“Probably a good idea.You don’t want them fighting amongst each other or any stupid male posturing.”
“No.”No, she did not want that.She’d had enough trouble with Ari and his jealousy.She hated the thought of anyone fighting over her as if she was a piece of meat.
“You can bring him to dinner,” Carolyn said.“Keith and I want to meet this mystery man.We’ve noticed you seem much happier than you were when we first arrived on the island.You’ve always been polite and a hard worker, but now you smile more readily, and it’s lovely to see.I’m also impressed that you’re continuing your excellent timekeeping and haven’t let a romance impede your professionalism.”
“Ah…”
“Look at the time.”Carolyn tutted.“The ship is due in half an hour.How is the stock in the store?”
“I stocked up last night before I finished for the day,” Nyree said.“Everything is ready.”
“Excellent.We can whiz through the dusting together, and we’ll have time to have a quick cup of tea with Keith.You can tell us about your man-friend.What sort of scientist did you say he was, dear?”
She had said nothing yet.“He’s from New Zealand,” Nyree said, redirecting the subject.
“Is he?”Carolyn beamed.“How nice.”
In reply, Nyree grabbed a fluffy duster and retreated to the far end of the display.Somehow, she needed to think of a suitable story in the next ten minutes before facing Keith’s and Carolyn’s interrogation.No pressure or anything.
15
The Past Attacks
Tawerawalkedthefamiliar,dusty path toward the tiny white church at the hill's base, adeptly avoiding most scientists and other workers who frequented the settlement.It was the transient nature of the scientists that meant he could come and go at will.He’d encountered several of the men, and they’d stopped and chatted with him.He and Nyree had prepared for this, and his cover story that he was studying weather patterns seemed to work.
This morning, he lifted his hand in greeting and continued walking, Nyree’s day pack draped over his shoulder.It contained water and a snack, plus it was a handy way of keeping his clothes dry because the weather down here shifted moods from sunny to rainy without warning.
Once he reached the top of the hill and gazed over the settlement, he noted a sleek blue-and-white cruise ship slowing at the entrance of the bay to give way to a pod of humpback whales.He’d listened to Nyree’s tales of the whalers and the pursuit of their prey in this bay.It was agreeable to see their return now and the increased population.
As he watched, one whale leaped from the water and made a tremendous splash.He grinned and watched a little longer before he continued to trek higher into the mountains.By the time he reached the mouth of a valley with ocean views, the whale pod had departed, and the cruise ship had disgorged its passengers.
Tawera stripped and stuffed his clothes into the daypack.An instant later, he stood taller and centered his mind.This time, his shift was almost pain-free and seamless.With a mental whoop, he rose and flew inland over rocks covered in patches of melting snow.Interesting.It seemed as if Nyree was right, and the curse had adjusted his needs.Instead of shifting to his taniwha form, sex played into the equation.
He flew for an hour, soaring over snow-covered mountain peaks and exploring the island.Despite the milder weather, not much grew on the lower slopes.
A few mosses and lichen clung to rocks and provided a touch of color.Nyree had mentioned reindeer—four-legged animals—used to graze the slopes, but a team of hunters had killed them all to maintain the balance of nature.He hadn’t known what a reindeer was until Nyree had shown him pictures and told him tales of Santa Claus.It reminded him of how much he still had to learn, although Nyree showed great patience with him.
Tawera wondered what he might do when he returned to Aotearoa, but Nyree had instructed him not to worry.Manu and her other friends would help him to settle and make his way in the unfamiliar world, which reminded him.He must check Nyree’s tablet to learn if Manu had written to him.
Aware of the passing time, he flew back to his clothes, shifted, and dressed.With the cruise passengers in port, he could wander at will, chat with them, and eavesdrop to increase his knowledge.He enjoyed these encounters and hearing the different accents and languages.
When he reached the path by the church, he passed several passengers.Most dressed in bright jackets.He’d wondered aloud why they wore identical clothing.Nyree had told him the cruise ships’ owners issued their passengers with jackets and boots to ensure they had suitable waterproof gear.
He entered the church since he hadn’t explored the interior yet.Two women stared at him, and he nodded in acknowledgment.His face, he realized.Too bad.He couldn’t and didn’t want to undo hismokosince they were a badge of honor, and he’d worked hard to earn them.
“Excuse me,” one woman said, drawing near enough for Tawera to get a whiff of her floral perfume.
He smiled politely and waited.
“Your tattoos are unusual.They’re tribal, aren’t they?”she asked, her expression alive with interest.
“Yes, they are part of my New Zealand heritage,” he said.
“Can we take your photo?”
“No,” Tawera said.“I do not enjoy having my photo taken.It was nice to speak with you,” he said, smiling to soften his rejection.He turned his back and wandered through the church.It was small but held the same hushed atmosphere of the one he’d known all those years ago.
Once Tawera left, he wandered through the settlement, listening to the tourists’ chatter as he headed to the store.He wasn’t sure if Nyree would be working in there or if Carolyn would be on duty.He tried to keep his distance from Carolyn and Keith in case they asked nosy questions about him.To his delight, Nyree was selling stamps and postcards to a group of tourists.
