“I sort of want to ask how we measure up,” Ellard muttered.
“We’ve told you already,” Sheera replied.“You produce tasty energy.Leeam and I feasted well, and we needed it.”
“Good to know,” Gweneth murmured, shooting a smirk at Ellard.He looked kind of cute with the hint of color high on his cheekbones.
“One more question before we move,” Ellard said.“How long will Leeam’s energy supplies last?”
“We feasted well last eve but we used up some of our energy providing you with food and clothes.Unless Leeam is able to find another food supply, maybe two cycles?”
“Let’s move,” Ellard said and strode along the defined path leading through the trees.
“Sheera, how close do you need to be to feed?”Gweneth asked.
“We need to be near the location.If a couple is in a room, we must be outside.We are notpeepers.Not usually,” she added in a sheepish tone.“Leeam and I will never disclose details either, Gweneth,” Sheera said in a stiff voice.“It is a basic tenet of our culture.We rely on others to provide our food, and we never, ever wish to make them uncomfortable.”
Ellard heard the hurt emanating from the girl’s voice and exchanged a glance with Gweneth.
“I’m sorry.Ellard and I…this is new to us.We’ll learn together, all of us.Now let’s find Leeam.”
“I’m sorry too,” Sheera whispered.“Friends?”
“Yes.”Ellard spoke for both of them.“We’d better cut the conversation.We’re coming up to a clearing and it’s full of those plant things.I can hear their drones.”
For half a cycle portion, they navigated the trail, brushing past sharp leaves and rough vines.Sweat trickled down his backbone, his tunic clinging to his chest and back.The squawk of a bird and heavy footsteps had them stepping off the track once to allow a flock of the big birds to amble past.
The tinkle of running water became audible, and the trees thinned.Ellard slowed and scented the air in the same way she’d seen Ry and Camryn and, recently, Jannike.
Gweneth stopped at his side and jumped backward without warning.
“What is it?”Ellard demanded, alarm tightening his shoulder muscles.
“Baby plants.”She pointed at the ground then frowned at her right boot.“At this rate, I won’t have any boot left.With each encounter, that hole becomes bigger.”
“We’ll have to cross the river,” Ellard said.
“What about the animal that howled all night?”
“Sheera, did you see it?Do you know what it is?”Ellard asked.
“No to both questions,” she whispered.
Gweneth stared at the river.“I guess we need to find a place to cross.It looks deep.And cold.”
“Can you swim?”
“I’m half feline.Of course, I can swim.”
“I can build you a—” Sheera broke off.“The ship is returning.”
“New plan,” Ellard said.“Sheera, I want you to become visible and stand between us.Wrap your arms around our waists, so they’ll have to take all of us.”
“Face the danger without hiding,” Gweneth murmured.“I like the way you think.”
“But—” Sheera began.
“At least this way, we will know what we face.”Gweneth reached for the girl’s hand as she shimmered into sight.“Hopefully, they’ll put us with Leeam, so he won’t be in danger of starving.”
“And we’ll discover if they’re friend or foe,” Ellard added.
