Page 64 of Scarred

“Yes, I’m fine. Come find me.”

We are behind you. Sam said.

She spun and caught the two brothers as they jumped into her arms. Amma hugged them to her chest and breathed in their earthy scent. “I am glad you guys are okay. Thank you for listening when I told you to hide.”

We do not fight. Sam said. Where is Suni?

“Oh, you are worried about him now?” she teased.

He is your mate and our protector. Mike said.

“He wasn’t hurt,” Amma promised. “I am going to find him now. Want to come with me, or do you want to go back to the house?”

We will come. Mike said. Astro is with Shelly.

“He wants to stay with her, and I think it’s a good idea.” Amma said. She started back toward the front of the village. “They are good for each other and will grow to be quite the pair.”

“Are you talking to yourself again?” a deep voice asked as familiar arms wrapped around her. Amma leaned back against her mate’s chest. She hoped she never took the feeling of safety he gave her for granted. “I have been looking for you,” Suni whispered in her ear. “My blood is hot in my veins, and I need my mate.”

“I can tell. I want to spend some time alone with you too.” Amma murmured. She tilted her head back to stare at his strong jaw and took a deep breath. “I was just making sure Shelly was taken care of and didn’t end up in some type of trouble again.”

“She is a strong-willed calf.” Suni stepped to the side and tucked Amma under his arm. “How about we see if Ru needs us for anything?”

“That was a brutal battle. Such a waste of lives.” Amma had to take two steps to his one.

“For both sides,” Suni agreed.

“Do you know where they came from?” she asked. “We should send word to their families. The dead and living should be returned to their homes.”

“I have never seen any of these warriors before today. Ru and Volt have not either.”

“Which means?”

“They come from a village we have not been in contact with. I do not believe Ru has had time to interrogate them. I do know they do not come from the same one as the warriors with mutated bodies. They seem to fear them.”

“It’s sad.” Amma wished she could heal their bodies. “They will be forever changed physically.”

“Do you think you can speak to them?”

“I mean, I was able to control them during the battle.” She shrugged. “I will try.”

The usual marketplace tidiness was almost restored when they finally returned. “Amma,” Jo called. “Can you come here for a second?”

Amma patted Suni’s hand before walking to Jo’s side. Jo stood near the two magically-changed warriors. They had been separated from the others and didn’t even look up as their shoulders dropped with shame.

“We need you to try to talk to these two,” Jo said. “We need to know–”

“Jo, you know I can’t read their minds,” Amma interrupted. “The only reason I was able to control them during battle was because their minds were hazy and animalistic. That isn’t true anymore.”

“Can you please try?” Jo begged. “Some of the warriors are talking about putting them down, like they are simply wild beasts.”

“Who?” Amma glared over her shoulder at some of the guards.

“Never mind who,” Jo said. “Please, just see if you can reach them.”

Amma took a deep breath and cleared her mind. Pinpoints of light started to pop into existence as she searched the darkness for their souls. She found the two males huddled together, their souls flickering like flames about to go out.

“Hello?” She moved closer. “Can you hear me?”

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