Page 56 of Scarred

“Suni.” She laid a hand on his cheek. “Stop, Ru has a right to ask.” She kept her hand where it was while looking up at Ru. “I saw five females making their way here. From the dead vegetation and absence of animals, I’m sure they’re the witches. They are walking at a normal pace almost like they are out for a Sunday stroll.”

“Do you think they know we can see them?” Jo asked.

“I doubt it,” Amma answered. “They only know of you, and you’re a battle witch.”

“Yes, but every witch can use animals to some extent.” Jo pointed out. “They have to know this.”

“Maybe their magic is different,” she shrugged. “All I can tell you is what I saw.”

“Hopefully none of them can control animals. That would really put a kink in our plan.”

“They had a half-mile of dead space around them. No animals stirred.” Amma said. “I did leave Flix, the bird whose body I used to spot the witches, to watch them and report back to me.”

“Will the animal watching them be caught?” Ru asked.

She shook her head. “No, Flix is a predator bird, and it’s normal to see him hunting during this time. When the witches are closer, I will try a few other animals. Oh, and I saw a mountain with a cloud over the top. It seemed kind of important for some reason. It was like Flix refused to fly in that direction.”

“You saw where the High Coven lives,” Jo said. “Ru’s home village is at the foot of that mountain.”

“What?” She looked at Ru. “Why would your people build your home there?”

“There is a whole story behind it,” Ru replied. “This is not the time to tell it. We must prepare for battle.”

Suni pulled Amma to her feet and tucked her under his arm. She liked how he always wanted her as close as possible. “I am usually part of the first wave in battle. But since I am in your village, I will stand where you want me.”

Ru smiled. “I saw you fight. If you can follow my commands, you are welcome to be one of the first to charge forward in defense of our home.”

Amma frowned at her mate. He talked about being on the front lines of a battle like it was nothing. She had seen movies of the early wars on Earth, and they were horrific. Suni was a massive male and had an impressive weapon, but she had never seen him fight. If something happened to him because of her family, she would never recover.

“Amma, how long do you think it will take the witches to reach us at their current pace?” Ru asked.

“I would say by the time the second sun sets,” she answered.

“That will have to do.” Ru glanced behind her. “Mavuto, just the male I wanted to talk to.”

Amma barely covered her gasp as the newcomer came into view. Mavuto towered over Suni by at least a foot, and his tall, proud horns added another foot or so. The massive, spiked bat slung over his shoulder did nothing to make him look more approachable. He carried himself with a calmness that Amma knew belied the brute power waiting to be unleashed.

Mavuto stopped and placed a fist over his heart. “I came to inform you warriors are placed in the spots Jo marked. It does not matter which way the witches come. We are protected.”

“The noncombatant females and calves are safe within their homes?” Ru asked.

“Yes, I have a patrol keeping an eye out,” Mavuto answered. “For the most part, everyone is staying low and waiting.” He looked out past the gate. “Has anything changed?”

“Nothing,” Ru answered.

Suni ducked his head and whispered, “Can we go somewhere to be alone?”

“Jo,” Amma quietly caught her cousin’s attention. “Is there somewhere Suni and I can talk alone?”

Jo nodded. “There is an empty hut near my house. It has a barren yard, so you’ll know it when you see it.”

“Thank you for your hospitality. Call us if anything happens,” Suni said.

“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do,” Jo yelled after them.

“Jo, you’re pregnant! That doesn’t leave much!” Amma yelled back. She heard Jo’s laughter as she walked with Suni deeper into the village.

Chapter 23

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