Page 92 of Sohut's Protection

She was exhausted.

She hadn’t mentioned it to Sohut but she hadn’t known how much longer she could have gone before taking a rest.

She was nearing collapse.

Wawa stiffened on her shoulder and Cleo’s senses primed immediately.

It was only when Wawa relaxed and she noticed Sohut coming back through the undergrowth that her shoulders sagged with relief.

“Is everything all right?”

He was alone. She’d expected to see aliens accompanying him.

Sohut smiled. “They are waiting to meet you.” His eyes slid to Wawa. “And you. Don’t attack them.”

Wawa stiffened on her shoulder and cocked his head at Sohut.

It was the first time he actually tried to communicate with Sohut and that surprised Cleo.

“I think he’s wondering what you mean.”

“He knows exactly what I mean.” Sohut crouched so he was on eye level with Wawa. “Listen you little thing. Don’t attack the Torians. They won’t hurt Cleo and they’re the only place we can stay before we go across the arid lands to the plains. Do you understand?”

Wawa cocked his head again and Sohut frowned, turning his worried eyes to her. “I don’t know if he understands me. He only listens to you.”

Cleo glanced at Wawa and he bumped his head into her neck before focusing on Sohut again.

“He understands.”

Sohut’s frown deepened. “How do you know?”

Cleo shrugged. “I don’t know. I just do.”

With a huge sigh, Sohut stood, offering her his hand so she could stand too.

“Ready?” he asked.

Cleo nodded. “Ready.”

As they walked in the direction in which he just came, the density of trees slowly reduced.

They were walking for what felt like roughly fifteen minutes and Cleo looked up at the alien walking in front of her.

“I thought we were going toward that alien camp.”

“We are,” Sohut answered.

“But we’ve been walking for so long now. I thought we’d have reached it already. You were gone for this long.”

“That’s because I used the trees. We’re walking. Takes longer.” Sohut looked over his shoulder to smile at her and her shocked expression only made him chuckle. “No worries my zimsu flower, we’re here now.”

She’d have taken the time to think about the fact he just called her something endearing if they didn’t suddenly walk into a clearing.

Hanging lanterns dotted the circular expanse. One of the lanterns was close by and it looked like a paper lantern with fireflies inside.

Wawa’s eyes lit up.

“My companion is here with her…slizz,” Sohut said and she realized he was speaking to someone in front of them.

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