Page 26 of Restoring the Ngozii

My body glows as my power activates, my mind focusing on the expansion of the caves, the growth of more plants, more water, life filling the surface as well. I feel the planet move beneath me, around me, feel it swell with life as I huff for breath, sweat beginning to trickle down my temples. The gasps of those around me filter through as a haze overcomes me, but I keep pushing as the life swells around me.

Chapter 17

Terax

Walkingthroughthebrushand the trees, I note where the Ngiri have been, where they’re heading, and where they nest. Breakfast will soon be upon us, and we’ll need fuel for the day. Once my shift is over, I can go on the hunt and clear my mind. It’s been running nonstop since Jeff left, and I’ve been unable to calm it.

Even the villagers are beginning to get edgy, feeling the tension surrounding us as we wait for an answer. Are we going to war? Should we run? What happens next is an unknown that’s got us all terrified. Tonya and Melodia seem to be quite confident in Kari and Jeff’s abilities to solve this without a risk to the village, but the angry priestess isn’t our only threat.

Stepping out of the woods and into the village, I note that Cruzig is sleeping against Willa’s porch nearby as she diligently checks the shield again. She’s been hovering over it like a mother with an infant for the last two days. I don’t know if it’s her fear of Jeff not returning, fear of a malfunction, or fear of the enemy that keeps her on top of it, but it’s beginning to irritate me. Nothing has changed.

The sun peeks through the treetops, lighting the circle of the village center, and blinding me in the process. This is the second sunrise since Jeff and Vahru left, only returning for a mere moment to collect supplies. My gaze shifts to the path leading back towards Vahru’s and the city, hoping to catch sight of their return, but the village is quiet, the woods the only sight.

Stepping over to Willa’s porch, I nudge Cruzig, rousing him. He startles, sitting up as his gaze darts around, only settling once he spots Willa and sees she’s safe. “You should really get some better rest. You can’t properly protect her when you’re asleep on the job.” I step over him and sit beside him on the porch, my tail rounding my left hip and dangling beside my leg.

His jaw tenses as his blue eyes blaze with irritation. He’s offended that I would insinuate he’s a bad guard, but it’s simply the truth. If the roles were reversed, I’m sure one of them would have said it to me. He sighs, sitting back and relaxing as he huffs. “I’m doing the best I can. Honestly, I truly care about Willa, she’s the brightest person in the village, and if she were to get hurt, we’d all be a mess. She’s so fragile, or so she seems, so I feel the need to be at her side constantly without Jeff here.”

“Sleeping on the porch is not going to protect her if you don’t wake up easily, Cruzig.” I turn and eye him carefully before letting my eyes roam the village around me. Willa stands and squints at the sun, one hand over her eyes, one on her heart as she sighs.

“I woke easily enough when you poked me. I’d have stopped anything before it reached her. Even if it meant sleeping in front of the door.” I scoff and shake my head, making him huff in irritation. “Look, I know what you’re thinking. Just stop.”

I look at him from the corner of my eye. “And just what do I think and need to stop, Cruzig? I didn’t say a thing.”

He nearly growls at me as he scowls, turning to face me, his knee rising between us to balance himself on the step. “You think I’m going overboard in protecting her just because she’s Jeff’s mate, that I want to impress the lieutenant and make some impression as the best guard. You think this is my way of proving I’m a good mate so maybe the Great Mother will grant me one, but that’s not true. It really can be as simple as me caring for Willa as my charge and doing my best for her. So stop with the assumptions.”

Pushing off the step, he stomps over to Willa, checking on her and then following her off to do whatever task it is she needs to for the day. I slowly stand and decide it’s best for me to move on, finish my rounds, check in with the others. I have another half hour or so before my shift is over, and I need to coordinate the next shift, so I move on.

Cruzig may be right, but I still think he refuses to see his own issues. He doesn’t want to believe that it’s about impressing the lieutenant and the Great Mother to get a mate. It’s been clear for a long time how he feels about getting a mate, he’s desperate for one, believes it’s his life’s purpose. It’s sickening.

Having a mate just causes trouble in my world. It creates division of people, love is only given to the most important, and the rest of us suffer. Sure, it helps ensure the species lives on, but some of us just aren’t interested.Or some of us simply aren’t worthy of such a gift.

No. My feet stop on the path as that thought flits through my mind. It’s not a gift, it’s a curse. Being stuck with someone who can leave you, destroy you just as easily as they can carry you. It’s a weakness we don’t need,Idon’t need. To be a fierce warrior and worthy hunter, I need my strength with no distractions. A mate is just that; a distraction.

As I walk down a dirt path, there’s a nearby low buzzing that pulls me from my thoughts. My eyes dart up towards the sound, watching the trees, but all I see is a small black blur before it’s gone, the sound fading into the distance. Realizing the direction it’s flying is away from the village, I continue on my walk.

I have no idea what sort of thing could fly like that with such a sound, even the insects aren’t that big nor make that much noise. It’s time we bring this to the lieutenant, he may know what to do or come up with a plan to catch it and destroy it. If it’s from our enemy, the one the shield is meant to keep out, then we must destroy it. Hopefully the shield will work and protect us.

Without having realized it, my feet have carried me into the newer section of cabins and halted before the one that contains the red beauty that haunts my waking nightmares. Once again, there’s a candle in the window, her shadows moving within, and my chest peels wide open as if it’s calling to her.

My breath halts as it seems as if all sound has disappeared from the area. Lifting my chin, I scan the skies, now a light blue color as the sun rises higher. The trees are still, not a hint of wind, no rocks or sticks are moved or stepped on, and despite the weather being a comfortable temperature, my body breaks out in goosebumps.

My gaze returns to the window, and what I see there has my heart pounding in double-time, my breath nearly panting from me. Her lips tip up in the corners as her black eyes widen, her shoulders rising with a deep breath.

I can’t. This isn’t happening. She recognizes me completely, but I can’t do this. My eyes close as my fists clench at my sides. I hold my breath before blowing it out slowly, attempting to force my heart to get with the program. It doesn’t matter if she recognizes me or not, she’ll never be mine. I’ll never be what she needs.

Turning on my heel, I don’t open my eyes until I’ve taken a step away. As my foot hits the ground a second time, I hear a thump behind me that startles me, kicking my warrior instincts into gear as I whirl around and search for the threat, but what I see takes me by surprise.

Letting my eyes settle on the window, I find the fiery jewel of my heart staring at me with tear-filled eyes and a hand pressed to the window. Her expression of anguish at my leaving nearly causes me to turn around and go to her, to pull her into my arms and wipe her little tears. Giving her a polite nod, I swiftly turn and run for the village center, ready to establish the next shift and go hunting. I seriously need to clear my head before I give in to desires I should never have been granted. Why, Great Mother? Why me?

Chapter 18

Kari

Tavionnagasps,hergazeseeming to go unfocused as her eyes flit around. What she’s seeing, I have no idea, but it seems to have consumed her. Xenshay and her other mate, I never learned his name, but I really should, step up beside her and gently grasp her arms as they watch her closely.

“Can you see it, Seuke? What is it she sees?” Xenshay looks at the Ngozii man, Seuke, with concern in his gaze.

Seuke shakes his head, his brows furrowing. “I can’t see, whatever the goddess is showing her, it’s for her eyes only. All I can say is that it’s good.” He smiles brightly as he watches Tavionna, and the love I see between them makes my heart jerk. She’s one lucky woman to have two completely devoted mates like that.

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