Adda scooted closer to the fire, pulling her grass mat with her beneath her rear, grateful, for the moment, that her possession didn't leave her without the ability to enjoy the heat of the flames.
She eyed the plate of food next to her. She didn't recognize many of the items, but the combination of their appearance and scent turned her stomach.
Not that anyone would have noticed. The pack had taken the Alpha's cue and welcomed Scet...or Alikeye-Baroth, as they insisted on calling him...wholeheartedly. Adda, on the other hand, they avoided almost completely.
Even now, warriors surrounded him, eager to listen to the stories of his recent battles, including that with the snake. Again. How many times they wanted to hear the same tale she wasn't sure, but no one was interested in talking to her. Other than a few suspicious glances, she was summarily ignored, even when she asked questions outright.
Which was an issue. It was impossible to gather information when no one would talk to her. And the Alpha, the one she needed to get information from, had disappeared altogether. Failing a chat with him, she could really use a good conversation with Scet...alone. Maybe if she let him know about Harvok he could talk to the Alpha about the orb.
The problem was he was ignoring her, too, and she was irrationally upset about the fact.
He had stopped touching her, as well, once the path of the evening had been decided and the Shifters had let their guard down. None carried their spears now, so she supposed Scet didn't feel the need to guard and protect, but what about all the things he had said on the trail?
A little part of her, a part that she wished would die a terrible death, reminded her that Bakkus' words and actions had never matched up, either.
“Are you going to eat that?” Kiskan plopped herself down next to Adda, specifically between her and her plate of food. It might have been counted as rude, but Adda was too tired to care about propriety, and maybe she was feeling a little sorry for herself. She shook her head.
Kiskan shrugged, lifting the plate, which was a heavy leaf of some sort that had been hardened. Adda was mildly curious as to its construction, but couldn't bring herself to even touch it. Even watching Kiskan pick morsels up and pop them into her mouth was disturbing.
“You aren't ignoring me, too?”
Kiskan's brows gathered together on her forehead. Adda couldn't tell if she felt guilty for the pack's behavior or if she was disturbed that Adda would challenge her about it outright. After a moment, she shrugged again.
“I am assigned to guard you. Alpha wanted a woman, so Alikeye-Baroth would feel more comfortable with the matter.”
“Guarding me from what? We are in the village?”
Kiskan chewed for a long moment before answering, “Just ensuring you have protection at all times.”
Adda frowned. “You aren't guarding me for my protection, you're guarding me for yours,” she swept her arm around her, indicating the whole of the village. The Shifters nearby turned toward her with the gesture, making it clear she was guarded on more than one front.
Kiskan shrugged, but didn't meet her gaze.
“You're a terrible liar,” Adda told her.
“And you aren't mated. You don't smell mated, anyway,” she challenged right back.
Adda nearly groaned at her own stupidity. Of course these Shifters knew she and Scet weren't mated. The scent would be all wrong. But then, the Alpha was the one that suggested it in the first place. So what was his game? She narrowed her eyes at Kiskan. Since the woman was at least talking to her...
“I knew a Shifter once, from this side of the mountains,”
Kiskan's attention had wandered toward whatever Scet was saying to the nearby warriors. At Adda's words, she turned back, the casual air that seemed to surround her replaced by mild wariness.
“His name was Harvok. Was he from somewhere around here, by any chance?”
The flash of recognition in her eyes said he was, and that Adda had been correct, this was, or at least had been, his pack. She slowly chewed her food.
Disgusting. Funny how chewing had never bothered Adda before and now it made her nauseous.
“We don't speak of him,” Kiskan said at last.
“He asked me to find this pack before he died.”
You are growing quite comfortable with lying, I approve.
Adda ignored Nex. She didn't need his input right then. Besides, he should be busy worrying about how she would be rid of him soon. But he didn't seem worried.
“We don't speak of him,” Kiskan repeated. There was no hint of sadness or surprise in her reaction. She either knew of his demise already or had suspected it. Adda had hoped such news would open conversation where she wished it to go, but she found herself met with stubborn resistance.
Irritation rose within her. What kind of decree was that? To not talk about someone? “That seems counterproductive.”
Kiskan shrugged, so that Adda had to tamp down the urge to grab those shoulders and shake her hard. She was so close to her goal and, as far as she could tell, all that stood in her way was this ridiculous pack of Shifters.
“He must have done something terrible,” Adda pressed, “wouldn't it be better to be open about it, so that no one makes the mistake again? Especially newcomers to the area?”
It was Kiskan's turn to narrow her eyes. Perhaps Adda wasn't the only one feeling violent urges. She got the impression that the other woman was wishing she would just stop talking.
“He was banished, we weren't given a reason. If you are wise newcomer you will not speak of him.”
Not stubbornness, then, but obedience to her pack.
What kind of Alpha banished pack members without discussing the reasons with the pack? Adda was used to the Alpha's ruling being law, but her Alpha at least had reasons behind his decisions, and he shared them. This was going to create problems for her, especially if she couldn't even mention the man. She hadn't imagined what would happen after she found Harvok's pack. She just assumed that part would be easier. Why couldn't this part be easier?
The old man appeared from somewhere, using his spear like a staff to support some of his weight. The tangles of his gray hair swayed when he walked, the bones clicking a little with each step.
“It is late,” he nodded to Scet when he neared. He didn't nod to Adda, but he looked her direction, and to the plate that Kiskan had finished and set down next to her.
She didn't like the expression that crossed his face, his lips pressed together and his nostrils flared slightly. She got the distinct impression that he knew she hadn't eaten the meal...knew she couldn't, but he had hoped it would serve another purpose.
You are right to worry. I do not believe that man intends good things for us.
Adda didn't believe he intended good for her, either. She found herself glad for Kiskan's hunger, glad that the Alpha's little plan, whatever it had been, was foiled. But she would have to watch herself carefully around him.
“You would, no doubt like to rest. Come, Alikeye-Baroth, we have prepared a shelter for you and your mate for the night.” He beckoned to them...well mostly to Scet, but she imagined he would be vastly displeased if she didn't obey, as well. The warriors that had been conversing with Scet melted away, none protesting the loss of the conversation. Adda had to wonder if anyone ever protested the Alpha, at all.
Maybe that was what Harvok had done to receive banishment. Disobeyed. She didn't like the feel of this pack, at all. It was full of careful and exact members, with no room for all the messy emotions that came from living in a pack with one another. Alpha's were meant to be obeyed, it was how pack order was kept, but the Shifters here were far too careful, unnaturally so.
Scet rose and returned the Alpha's nod graciously, nothing in his posture or expression suggesting the situation bothered him. He turned and offered his hand to her and she took it.
Kiskan followed, closing in as they moved to follow the Alpha away from the fire. Scet noticed, and raised a single eyebrow at her appearance.
“I have acquired a guard,” Adda informed him.
Kiskan nodded respectfully, but said nothing, focused on her duty. Maybe she was afraid that if she talked while on duty she, too, would be banished.
Scet said nothing, either, just continued to walk, following close behind the Alpha. His thumb, though, ran possessive circles along her palm.
It was hard to concentrate on her surroundings when the light touch of him sent sparks shooting along her skin and had her stomach clenching and her nipples hardening beneath the white robe.
As she expected, they were led to one of the domes. It was a distance from the communal fire, but near enough to attract attention should they choose to leave without warning.
I could teach you to hide from their notice, should you flee. The old man will reveal his game soon and I do not think we will like it.
No thanks.
Learning anything from Nex seemed like a bad idea. Besides, what good would running do her now? It was this Alpha she needed to question and it wasn't as if she and Nex had the same goals. It made sense that he would plant suspicions against the Alpha.
She didn't need Nex's opinion, the old man set every inch of her on alert.
The dome was much like the others surrounding them, a mixture of twigs and dead fall woven tightly with the branches of a shrub that looked somewhat familiar, but she couldn't name. She never was particularly good at plant lore, that was more Lis' forte.
The Alpha lifted a grass mat, this one was attached to the top of an arched opening. It was low enough that both she and Scet would have to duck to get through.
Dry, pleasant warmth radiated from within. A small fire crackled from the center of the roughly circular floor space. Most of the vegetation had been pushed against the walls, or woven into the structure itself. The remaining soil was layered with more mats and they cushioned Adda's feet as she stepped inside.
The furnishings were sparse: a large pallet of furs at the back of the dome, and a singular trunk that looked to serve as both storage and table.
The scent of herbage invaded her nostrils, a sweet smell with a woody undertone. She looked more closely at the twisted vines and shrub branches. Yes, several bundles of leafy stems with wilted flowers hung suspended over the fire. These she did recognize, they were one of Lis' most used plants. She had helped Lis gather them so often she would recognize them in any state: the pale pink of the outer petals highlighted by the darker, spiky inner petals. Hava's Ardor, known for its calming and sedative properties.
A courtesy of their hosts? Or a plot?
No, the flowers were right out in the open, surely they were only meant to induce peaceful sleep. Too bad that would do nothing for her.
“Kiskan will be outside if you need anything else,” the Alpha murmured. “Rest well, Alikeye-Baroth, the world needs your strength.”