"That sounds more like you," Corvak says. "But yes, let us get started." He claps me on the back with his hand, and then we get to work.
CHAPTER 19
APRIL
Deviand I measure nautilus shells and their trails into the sand for hours. She's not interested in getting rid of them inasmuch as she's interested in comparing the size of them to how far up the beach they go. With a long strand of marked rope, she measures, and I write out notes for her to go over later. Makana starts to grunt at me, a sign that he wants down, and I pull him out of his sling and let him wander on the rocks while Devi and I take a break.
A quick glance down the beach shows that Valmir is working with several others, digging a trench in the path of one of the oncoming shelled creatures. Devi hums in surprise at the sight. "I wonder if that will work, trying to adjust their route? Or are they going to ignore it and push forward like they always do? There's only one of the tentacled feet that does the pushing. That's why they're so slow." Her expression is bright with interest. "Isn't that fascinating? It's like the other arms are used to catch prey but there's only one designated for movement. They can't figure out how to redistribute the workload. Their brains must not be big enough."
"That is interesting," I say, but my gaze is on Valmir and his big shoulders flexing as he tosses another shovelful of sand outof the way. Like the other men, he's stripped to the waist and digging as Jason calls out instructions and two of the kits try to scoop tidewater away with shells. It looks like a futile task, but it doesn't hurt to try, I suppose. And Valmir looks good as he works. I admire the breadth of his shoulders and the flick of his tail as he bends over to dig his shovel in again.
Watching him work should not be such a turn on...and yet I can't stop looking at him. I can't wait to be alone with him again. I want to run my hands all over his sweaty shoulders and let him know that I'm proud of him. That him being part of a team is a huge turn-on because I know he's doing it to please me.
Devi moves to my side, noticing my fixation on Valmir. "Resonance worked out for you?"
"Oh yeah." I manage a wry smile. "All that fighting it and there ended up being no point."
"I understand. I think there's something psychological to resonance. Everyone always ends up paired with the person who makes them happiest, even if they don't want to be with them. That tells me that either the khui is influencing our hormones and our brains, or the other way around. I'd love to study someone who ends up resonating to a person they hate and continue to hate, but that never seems to happen." She gives me an interested look. "Is there any lingering loathing on your end?"
"Afraid not."
"Darn."
"Thanks, I think?"
She pats my arm. "I'm just always interested in the biological aspects of things more than the people aspects. Don't take it personal." Devi takes the rows of notes I've made on a framed skin and studies them. "This is good, though. I appreciate the help. What are you and Valmir doing later? You can come andsit with me and N'dek. We've got room in the cave we're sleeping in, too."
"I appreciate the offer. We haven't thought that far ahead to tonight just yet."
Devi nods absently and makes a note on the skin. It's stretched taut so it can be written on, almost like a slate. "Unless you like your meat raw. Then you might have to stay somewhere else. The smell turns my stomach right now."
"I like my meat in a can." The joke rolls off my tongue before I think about it.
Devi looks up at me. "Huh?"
"Sorry, Hawaiian joke. Spam musubi is really popular back home. I used to get it from a gas station near my house on a daily basis."
Her expression brightens. "Oh, did you remember where you're from?"
"Parts of it. Pieces are coming back to me. Not whole chunks, but tidbits here and there. Some pieces of language, some of customs. Not really people or places." I'm practically bouncing with excitement to share it. "I even remembered my own name, my real name."
She makes a distracted sound of agreement. "Great."
And then I laugh to myself at how unbothered she is, because no one else cares where I'm from other than me. I'm just grateful to have answers, unlike Natalie or Vivi, who have nothing. Or Valmir, who is intimately aware of everything he's missing.
Valmir cares, though. Valmir celebrated with me. Warmth flows through my belly. We'll continue sharing with our baby when it's born and teach them all about their ancestors.
Makana moves back to my boot and scratches at it with a grunt, a signal that he wants to be picked up. Smiling, I heft him into my arms and tuck him into his sling. As I do, Devi'sanalytical gaze moves on to the two-fang, and I suspect she's going to ask to study him soon enough. "You kept him?"
"More like he kept me," I joke. "We tried to release him but he's happiest with us. He wouldn't leave no matter what we did."
"Baby schema tied with learned helplessness," Devi says with a nod, her face becoming distracted. "I wonder if they adjust their nature in order to ensure survival." She thinks for a moment and writes a few more things down at the bottom of the skin. "Would you let me study him?"
"It depends. Does studying involve dissection?" I put my hands protectively around my pet's sling.
"Oh, no. I'd try seeing how he'd react to a few different stimuli. I'd love to see his reaction if you leave the room and abandon him in it." She beams at me. "All harmless, I assure you. My son would be horrified if I thought to harm your creature. I wouldn't be surprised if he asks for one of his own."
"They like roots," I offer. "And being carried like babies."
