Page 13 of Koha'vek
Koha’vek took a step toward the man. He turned and ran.
The one crumpled against the tree groaned, blood trickling from his temple. Koha’vek bent, grabbed him by the collar, and tossed him down the hill like a sack of kindling.
When the forest fell quiet again, I let out my breath, my legs trembling. Koha’vek was beside me in an instant.
“You are not hurt?” He asked, scanning my body.
“I’m OK, just a little rattled. They’ve got my damn ranch. That should be enough. I don’t come with it.”
“I should have gone with you,” he said tightly.
“I just needed to get out on my own for a little while, and walk.”
“You needed protection.”
“And I had it,” I said, resting a hand on his chest. “You came.”
He didn’t answer. His fists were stillclenched, eyes still burning.
I reached up, cupping his face with my hand. “I’m all right.”
He leaned into my touch just a little. “He’ll send more.”
“I know.”
He put his arms around me protectively, and I lay my cheek against his chest, wishing they could’ve just left us alone.
Koha’vek
I took Ava back to the cabin and spent the rest of the daylight hours building perimeter traps, adding two more near the stream. When I returned to the cabin, Ava and I didn’t talk much.
She sat at the table, sharpening the bone-handled knife I had found in the forest with steady, even movements. She moved it across the stone repeatedly.
She was clearly not afraid. She was angry, something I understood well. In her need to keep busy, she had built up the fire and set a pot of stew to simmer over the fire.
After dinner, I stood by the window, staring out at the darkened forest.
“Would you leave?” she asked from behind me.
I turned.
“If they came in force, would you run? Or fight?”
I thought about it. “I would not leave you.”
She set the knife down and stood, crossing the room to join me. “We can’t live like this forever. Hiding. Waiting.”
“No.” I agreed, contemplating the worry in her blue eyes.
“He has his own little army. What chance do we have against all of them?”
I cupped my hand against her smooth cheek. More than they realize,” I assured her. “We will not live in fear. I will find a way.”
“Do you really believe there’s a future for us?”
“I do—if I have to build it myself.”
She smiled then, looking a little broken and a little stubborn. “Then, I’ll help.”
