Page 16 of Fated to the Alien Protector

“How did you know it was abandoned?” she asks. “I mean besides the fact we sat there for hours without seeing anything.”

I scan the area and spot a small opening in the ground within a small grouping of trees. Based on the size and markings around it, the hole houses a family of leburin. While I had hoped to bring down at least a dreri today, bringing back something is better than nothing. There is still enough light that perhaps the turn won’t be a total waste.

“What do you see over there?” I point in the direction I want Abby to look.

She narrows her gaze and studies the general area where I’ve guided her. “Nothing. I don’t see anything except trees and more trees.”

“Look closer. Take your time and focus.”

Patiently, I wait while she continues scanning until at last, she sucks in a breath and does a small hopping move. “Oh, oh, there, on the ground. There’s a narrow hole that’s partially covered by leaves.”

“Very good. What else do you see?”

“Animal droppings and bits of fur,” Abby’s voice rises in excitement.

“Excellent. Do you recall seeing any of those things around the burrow where you and Carter had set your trap?”

She pauses for only a beat and shakes her head. “No. It was barren. The dirt around it was dried out and the area was completely bare of any foliage or protection.”

“Yes. So although you set a fine trap, it would never have yielded you anything.”

“How we managed to survive the winter is beyond me.”

Not once in all the times I escorted Sage to and from the human settlement did she ever mention going without. There were also no signs of famine when I was last there only a few short turns ago. “Do the human tribe leaders not make sure that all their people have food to eat?”

Abby’s face colors. “The colony is built on a barter system, and not everyone has something to barter, despite trying. And I wasn’t going to ask for any handouts, so if I wanted to eat, I had to make sure I found my own food.”

I have never understood the way the humans run their village. Nor has Zander, which is why he offered to allow the humans to come to ours. I am still surprised that so few accepted.

“Tavikhi do not operate the same way. All the food is available for everyone. It is not necessary to barter for it. The hunters bring back enough meat to provide for the entire tribe. There is no need for you to ever worry about going hungry.”

Abby shrugs. “I’d still rather do my own hunting.”

Carter is right that his sister is stubborn. I understand her need though, so I will do what I can to assist. The leburin can wait. “I have been tracking two dreri. Let us see if we can find them.”

I take off in the direction I had been headed and she falls in behind me. She is smart because when I glance back, she makes sure to step exactly in the same places I have. Quietly, we make our way through the trees until at last, I hold up my hand. Abby stops when I do, and I wave her forward. She comes up beside me and I gesture to where the two animals graze. They blend neatly into the trees, but she nods in understanding.

We both ready our spears, and when I give the sign, we launch them through the air. Mine hits its mark, but hers falls short and the second dreri takes off in a sprinting lope away from where the first’s body collapses.

“Son of a bitch.” Abby stomps and kicks at the dirt and leaves that litter the ground.

“Hitting game from this distance is not easy. Especially with a weapon not quite made for you. You did well getting your spear as far as you did. I believe you would have hit it if you would have had a lighter weapon.”

“Yeah, well, your spears aren’t really made for women,” she grumbles.

“Then I will make you ones to fit your hands.”

Abby stares at me. “You would do that?”

“If you wish.” I walk away and squat next to the dreri that still breathes raggedly. Quickly, I pull out my blade and end its suffering.

Footsteps approach and then she is kneeling next to me. “You’re nothing like I imagined.”

I glance at her and our eyes meet. “How did you imagine me to be?”

“I’m not really sure to be honest.” Abby raises a shoulder.

“Hopefully what I have shown you is better than you expected.” I cannot help but grin, because I know she has not thought highly of me. Whether it is me in general that has given her a bad impression or she does not let anyone in easily I am unsure.

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