I avoid engaging except for a few times. Not only because she is with me, but also because most of the hunters seem far more capable and aware of their surroundings.
While I would have liked to have the opportunity to take more risks and as a result, clear the field of threats and increase our supplies, it is still a night well spent.
Ree looks more relaxed as we near our nest and I'm glad we took the time away. The fresh air is healing, especially when it isn't punctuated by venom-induced screams and gunshots like it has recently.
It's entering the first stages of pre-daylight and we are on the opposite side of the plateau from our cave.
I'm taking a bit of a detour toward what smells like a large body of water. From the scent I can tell we are getting very close.
There isn't enough rotting vegetation in the mix to suggest a bog and a reliable water source is always worth investigating. It's rocky and although I'm still enjoying our outing, I'm tiring from all the leaping.
The forest abruptly parts to reveal a cove, with the moon reflecting off of the water of the larger lake behind it. Ree makes a small sound of appreciation.
I agree with her. It's beautiful.
Something about moonlight glinting off of water must be universally appreciated. I walk us closer to the edge of the water, pulling in the complex smells of aquatic life and vegetation over the roof of my mouth.
Ree talks to me in a hushed whisper. "I can feel the scales now, Thivoll."
"How extensive are they?"
"On the back of my hands, but not my palms. My fingers are oddly thick on the top now. Then the scales go around my wrists and end halfway up my forearm."
I purr. "I look forward to exploring them."
"I'm glad you like them, but it's really strange for me."
I empathize, but I also love the look of them against her lovely white-pink skin and they make the indigo and orange of her mane look so much richer.
I hear a small sound out in the water, something about it pulling all of my attention. I stare out over the lake, but don't hear it again.
"This place feels reallycreepyall of a sudden, Thivoll. I don't like it."
I'm not sure what she means exactly, but get the general idea and agree with her. I can't hear or smell anything, but it feels like we're being watched.
"Let's go home."
It's almost light by the time we get back to our nest. I come to it from the top side and as I break over the ridge, I smell a strong male musk.
A growl starts up in my throat and I can feel Ree tense. I'm not sure if I should leave her up here while I go investigate, then decide it's best for her to just stay with me.
We climb down silently and I position Ree behind me as I stalk into the cave, my claws unsheathed and ready.
The smell of the male is much stronger and I'm on high alert.
A few steps in and it's clear they aren't in the main chamber. Nor in our nest room. I check the other exit, but it is empty.
That leaves Silver's room.
48
Ree
I'm not sure what Thivoll senses, but I trust his instincts.
Nothing looks or smells any different to me. At least not until we move into Silver's room.
She isn't there anymore.
