Drasuk breaks back in. "Of course. We've been moving straight toward it most of the time."
"What? Are you crazy? I could have used a hell of a lot more naps, Drasuk. I thought you had super senses."
Thivoll makes a hacking sound. "That's typical drak behavior. Straight into the fray."
Ree growls at him. "Be nice, Thiv."
Drasuk lets out a rock-grinding laugh. "It is a well-known fact, Ree. No offense taken."
Thivoll lets out a chuffing sound I assume is his own version of a laugh, then speaks again. "Well, I would prefer to continue avoiding danger where we can. We should head back to our cave and get both of you some rest and armaments."
I perk up at his last word. "Hell, yes, kitty-cat. Weapons. You know how to extend a proper welcome."
Ree smiles at me, but then turns to Thivoll. "Are you sure we should leave a trail back to Amethyst?"
She turns back to us. "How far behind you are they?"
"We will have at least a sun cycle before they are in range, maybe more," Drasuk responds.
She looks up, thinking. "I suppose if you found us, I would assume they would recognize Thivoll's scent and also want to take him as a prize. By now we have left enough scent trails even I could follow them."
She nods. "Alright, fine. Let's regroup in the cave. It's better than them finding Amethyst while we are somewhere else. But after we take out this group, we are going to need to move her."
Something tells me that if anyone tries to touch Amethyst, Ree will make them wish they were never born. She is crazy intense now, when just a few moments ago she seemed all cute and fluffy.
"I assume she is still in her chamber if you don't know her real name?" I ask Ree.
"Yes. I want to give as many of them as I can the choice to choose their metamorphosis. Silver was badly wounded and just a little bit of contact changed her."
I let out a breath and my heart constricts. I got a quick glimpse of her on the ship. "You don't have her with you? Is she dead?"
"No, thankfully alive, but some stupid snake man took her and won't give her back," her hands clench and rage flits across her usually smiling features, but then she continues.
"Trust me. I've tried to convince his stupid face three times now. Navy died in the crash, I'm pretty certain. I have two other males out looking for more women, but we need to deal with this threat as quickly as possible so we can find the rest of them."
I nod. "Lead the way, Commander."
She shoots me a look and rolls her eyes, but simply walks over to Thivoll, climbs on and turns to us.
"Can you ride on Drasuk's back? I don't think you'll be able to keep up with Thivoll otherwise."
I let out an explosive laugh, then look over to see the look of absolute affront all over Drasuk's spines, and just keep cackling.
When I stop, Ree still looks deadly serious. "Let go of your pride, Drasuk. It has no place here."
I wipe the tears from my eyes. "Burn. Oh, I think I'm going to love serving under you, Ree. So. Much."
Drasuk takes a long, deep breath. "I never agreed to serve, but will consent to carry your soldier, small female."
I look over at him, my jaw dropping, then shake my head to clear the shock that he agreed. "You could always just carry me, Drasuk. Or maybe my new ant legs can keep up."
He lets out a grumble. "No, she is correct. I will need to be on all fours to match a manticorid's run and there is no point in exhausting you."
As I jump up and find a spot to park my ass between his back spines, I feel like I've entered some new, even weirder reality. I grab a couple spikes in front of me and squash down the urge to kick his sides and tell him he is a good little horsey.
Even I know when it's best to stay silent and let a person lick their wounds.
Alright, fine. That isn’t what stops me. He wouldn’t get the damn joke.
