Page 17 of Tharn's Hunt
Then she does the most curious thing. Her mouth stretches wide, revealing small, blunt teeth and a pink tongue. A long, wavering sound escapes her, and her jaw snaps shut with a click. Her whole body slumps as if the act has drained what little energy she had left.
“...Did…did you just unhinge your jaw?”
I watch, fascinated, as her head bobs. Once. Twice.
Then she’s slumped against the wall again, weapon still clutched in her limp hand.
Resting. Mid-threat.
A fascinating, impossible creature.
Now, without her glaring at me, I shift ever so slightly closer, peering at the wound on her wrist. Shame fills me.Idid that. It wasn't intentional. I'm not some untrained fool who can't control his strength. But females are so fragile…
My chest feels strange again, tight and uncomfortable. Is this... concern?
Hunters don't feel concern. We feel hunger, satisfaction, pride in the kill. Not... whatever this is.
Bones. I will make it up to her. I will make it right. As soon as I can, I will hunt. Bring her fresh meat. And not a small sand runner next time. I must bring her something bigger. Make a poultice to help her heal. And then we will head to her sister-female.
Whatever you find in the dust is yours. That's our way.
I found Jah-kee, so she is mine. But... not like a kill. Not something to throw over my shoulder and drag back to the clan caves.
No, females are different. Special.
This is a lesson my brothers will have to learn, too. Rok had no time to explain much, but I had observed. Jus-teen stayed with him willingly. Walked beside him, not behind or in front. Touched him without fear. Communicated with him.
“I’ll protect you,” I project, more to myself than to her. “I’ll bring you to your sister-female Jus-teen. To my clan. I will keep you safe.”
A strange mixture of pride and... something else rises within me.
Something that makes me want to hunt every shadowmaw on Xiraxis just to see if she would make that sound again. The one she made when I handed her the creature trapped in crystal. That small gasp of hope.
I've never cared about sounds other than those that help me hunt. Never cared about the reactions of others unless they affected the clan's survival.
But I want to hear that sound again.
Want to be the cause of it.
I settle in for the long dark ahead, watching over the small, fragile female who somehow makes me feel both powerful and completely helpless at the same time.
I've never felt helpless before. Never had reason to.
I am Tharn, second hunter. First tracker. I take what I want. I find what I seek.
I do not fail.
Jah-kee.
Precious female.
My new hunt.
The strangest hunt of all.
Chapter 7
IF LOOKS COULD KIDNAP
