Page 21 of Scarred

“Two seasons.” Suni pulled out a small dagger and began sharpening it next. “And she is already with calf.”

“We are compatible?”

“We are.”

Amma stared into the fire for a few moments, thinking about all that implied. Her family would continue even though they were far from earth. She wondered what the hybrid offspring will look like, more human, or more minotaur. “I’m glad that she’s found love and happiness. It gives me hope for my own future.” Amma took a deep breath. Thinking about her own future would have to take a back seat to her finding more of her family. “Did you guys see any camps like this or come across tracks like mine?”

Gar heard her question as he walked back to the fire, and answered before Suni could. “There was no sign of anyone in our territory.”

Amma leaned forward on her elbows and sighed. “I guess it was too much to hope my family came out in the same area as I did. Honestly, I just want to make sure they’re not still back in my world in the hands of the mob.”

“Our territory is massive.” Suni said. “Once we return, I will ask my chief if he can send out search parties. Is there something, in particular, we should be on the lookout for?”

“I wish I could tell you.” Amma shrugged. “I came by way of portal and I’m sure the rest of my family will too, but I have no idea where they will open. I guess the hunting parties will have to look for human women camping in the woods.”

“It does not matter. We will find your family and they will be welcomed into our village,” Suni said.

A few minutes passed with no sound but the sizzling of the cooking meat. Finally, Amma spoke again. “Ok, I have to ask, what did my cousin do that makes you want to take in more of her family?”

“Do there need to be a reason?” Suni asked.

“In my experience, nothing is given for free.”

“Is that the way the human world works?”

“I thought it was how every world worked.” Amma answered.

“We believe in family.” Suni stood and walked around the fire. “You should have this,” he held out the dagger, hilt first.

“I should?” She carefully took the weapon and held it out from her body. While a dagger in his hands, it was a machete in hers. “I’m more the ‘run and hide’ type girl. I’m more likely to hurt myself with this thing.”

Suni chuckled as he straddled the log facing her. His scent of evergreens and spice mixed with his manly musk sent her libido into overdrive. He held out his hand. “Let me show you how to hold it.”

Amma couldn’t get the thing out of her hand fast enough. Instead of taking the weapon, he wrapped his clawed hand around hers. Amma sucked in a breath at the feel of calluses of a hardworking man – male. She could picture him swinging his morning star in training and battle, a force to be reckoned with.

“Amma?” She felt her name rumble through his body from where they touched. “Amma?”

“Yes, I’m listening,” she lied. “What were you trying to show me?”

He chuckled. “Tighten your fist on the hilt,” he said, and adjusted her hold. “You do not want to tuck your thumb. If your hit is blocked, it can be broken. Now try stabbing at me.”

Amma stared at him in horror. “I can’t stab you. What if I hit you?”

“If you are able to stab me and draw blood, I am not the warrior I thought I was. Now stab at me.”

Amma clumsily stabbed toward him, but pulled back when she came too close. “I don’t think I can do this. I’m not going to need this dagger if you are with me.”

“If I am with you, I will be your shield.” Suni said. He closed his fist over hers. “This is so you can fight until I reach your side.”

The heat from his hand soaked through to her bones and she felt his promise deep in her heart. They may have just met, but there was something about the strong male that called to her in a way no human ever had. “I can’t even imagine harming someone.” She stared at the dagger. “I just can’t.”

“You may not have a choice.” Suni growled. “You have to know how to defend yourself.”

“Is Mia also learning how to fight?”

“Not with her mate,” Gar snorted. “Ni'em is one scary male. I do not think anyone would get through him to his mate and calf.”

Amma took note of Suni’s missing fur, scars, and damaged horns. If Gar thought this Ni'em was scarier, maybe she should worry for her cousin. “To me, you all look a little scary. Even without the horns, you’re towering over me by a foot or more.” Her eyes locked with Suni’s, which glowed red from the fire reflection. “But I still feel instantly safe. Safe enough not to need a dagger.”

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