After that kiss I tried to sleep, but every time I drifted off, I woke to the sound of empty laughter and an instinctual desire to run. It was a relentless itch underneath my skin. I sat straight up and looked around the room.

Finn sat there at the table, watching me, holding some leather. I yanked the blanket up to my chin.

White eyes stared at me through amber glass.

A man stood on the other side, pale blond hair parted precisely down the middle, thin skin, sharp cheekbones, and white eyes with slit pupils. He had a look in his eyes, sly like a fox. I hated that look

Finn’s eyes were similar, but not the same. There was never that look in his eyes. Not even when he wanted to kill me after we met. I was afraid, but on some level, I knew he wouldn’t hurt me. But this man, the one I remembered. He’d hurt me. He’d already hurt me.

Wait a minute.

Didn’t Finn leave last night?

He walked over and sat down on my bed.

“I’ve been sleeping over there.” Finn inclined his head to a chair in the corner. I hadn’t realized I’d spoken that last out loud.

“Go away,” I grumbled as I lay down and sought a more comfortable position on the cot. It was sheer coincidence that my movement almost pushed him off.

“Come on, lazy. Time to explore.”

“Explore?” My head popped up, and I leaned back on my elbows, looking at him. “What do you mean, explore?”

“What part of explore did you not understand? I can speak slower.”

I kicked him off the cot this time.

He chuckled and held up black leather for me.

Oh, nice, new clothes. I wouldn’t feel like such a freak.

He smirked as he got to his feet.

“Come on, then.” He looked down at me, waiting.

“Okay, turn around.”

“Why?” He tipped his head.

“I need to get dressed.” My voice trailed off. I hated that damn uniform, the shivat. I looked over at the chair, where the clothes hung. I’d slipped it off in the middle of the night right after Finn left. But did he leave? I was a bit drunk last night. I gave him the hairy eyeball.

Now he was really smirking. “Nothing I have not seen.”

His expression set me off, so I did get up. Finn wasn’t smirking after that. His face went slack. Hah! I held out my hand for the leathers, but he didn’t hand them to me; he was too busy gawking. I felt his gaze drift downward.

He looked at my face, my breasts, my belly, and my thighs. Finn whistled soundlessly, and I knew he liked what he saw. His stare made me feel beautiful.

The heat of a flush stained my skin, and I resisted the urge to cover up. I reached to grab the leathers.

Finn jerked them back, holding them just out of my range. His gaze traced my neck and along my arms. He paused at my shoulders.

“Your jatua are coming in.”

Say what?

I glanced down at my shoulder, which was when he decided to move. He pulled me against him, and I bent backward, our gazes locked. I was very much aware that I remained naked.

“Look later,” he said and I swallowed.

Later. Right.

He lowered his head, going oh so slow. Maybe he was giving me time to think. I didn’t want it. I needed to know if his kiss was as good as I remembered. I wanted to feel. I sprang up and caught his mouth with mine. It surprised him, but he adapted well. He returned my kiss, turning his head to take it deeper. His tongue caressed mine. Warmth spread through me, heat. Damn, he can kiss.

I gripped his shoulders with my hands, standing on tiptoe.

Finn groaned and nipped my lower lip; his arms slipped around me, pulling me up off my feet.

My legs twined with his as I rubbed up against him.

Hello. What was I doing? I pushed back, licking my lips. He released me, and I slid down his body. I took one hand and ran it down his arm, which he stretched out, the leather dangled from his fingertips.

“This for me?”

He pressed his forehead against mine. “Yes. This is for you.”

I took the clothes and stepped back, making a twirling motion at him, which he ignored. He watched when I turned and shimmied into the pants, then groaned. Hah! I loved my new leathers. Though maybe leather wasn’t the name for it. It felt almost like rubber. They were a dark brown, almost black, tight, but not stiff at all. I squatted to try them out. Not bad. The top felt like cotton and conformed to me. I turned to look at my ass. Not bad at all. There was a separate leather vest that tied over the top. I was going native.

I pushed the top over to look down at my shoulder. Faint smudges spread in a wave down my arm. I’d have thought they were bruises, but the colors weren’t right. Dark red, blue, green, and yellow spread across my skin. I looked at the tattoos on his shoulders. Jatua, eh? I needed to examine the marks more but the idea of going outside sounded too good.

“Where are we heading?” I asked.

“Wherever you want.” He leaned back, watching while I adjusted my clothes, his eyes firmly fixed on my ass. I wiggled; I couldn’t resist. Finn grunted behind me.

“I thought I would show you the valley. Give you a better idea of what it is like here.”

“Okay. Lead away.”

He pivoted, adjusted, and walked to the door. It was still dark out, approaching dawn. Pink light filtered into the sky, lighting the area enough to walk. When we were outside, he stopped, turned, and held out his hand. I took it. Warmth spread up my arm. Finn tugged me closer, and I brushed up against him. The same two guards were there, Jack and the Giant—their new nicknames. I waved and surprise zipped across their faces; they raised their hands in reply. Finn tugged me along the path.

“Let us start at the top and head down and around. The largest lake, Mirror Lake, is home to Clan Gaol. Marin is leader of this clan and the clan chief. Midday is held in his home in level one, the top level of this valley.” He pointed around him. “This is the second largest lake and home to the Orin Clan. My clan.” A proud smile creased his face as he looked around. “The largest two lakes are on high ground, and below, there are four smaller lakes that make up the third level.”

As he spoke, he pulled some fruit from his vest pockets. Which reminded me, I hadn’t eaten. He handed one to me and started to munch on the other. It tasted like an apple, sweet, followed by a hint of tart, a little too tart, and the texture was awful. Bleah. I turned my head and spit it out. I held on to the rest, remembering Marin’s words. They had just enough to feed their population.

He ate, continuing to talk between bites. “Think of the valley as a basin. It slopes down and then meets a straight cliff. There are three levels to the basin. Level one holds Mirror Lake. The Halit Clan is also nearby, but they are much less prosperous than the Gaol. This first level is surrounded by woods with a cliff at its back. Our livestock is up there, well protected.

“Level two is where we are now. There is only one entrance to the valley, and that is by us.” He pointed back the way we’d entered.

“The Tern clan also gathers here, but most of this level is taken up by my clan. The lower valley is riddled with the other five clans, who surround the four small lakes below. Most of the farmland is down there, though there are some gardens here, as you can see.” He swept his hand to include the tiered ledges I’d glimpsed on my way in.

We were walking the same path I’d walked with Marin the day before. Finn polished off his fruit, core and all. He frowned when he saw I hadn’t finished mine. He grabbed it and scarfed down the rest, then took my hand and brought it to his mouth. His tongue stroked along my palm as he sucked the fruit juice off my fingers, one at a time. I wiped my hand down my leather, disconcerted. I saw the woods up ahead to the right. I’d missed them the day before.

He pointed to a path that led off into the trees. “There, that is the main path to level one. There are several small paths through the forest, but it can be dense. It is better to use this main road to travel. Do you want to see?”

“Yes, please.”

He laced his sticky fingers with mine, and we resumed walking. The woods were dark, a bit eerie. No one appeared to be out and about. The suns were coming up and spreading their gauzy light through the branches, bathing the ground in a soft glow. I heard some rustling among the trees, but for the most part, the forest remained silent.

Finn snuck peeks at me while we strolled. We didn’t talk. The silence fit the atmosphere. Yanking me to a stop, he grabbed my other hand and spun me to face him, reeling me in. I glanced at the guards, who looked away.

“Hail, Finn,” a voice called out and Finn stiffened. He turned with a smile for the woman heading down the path toward us.

Smooth gait, upright posture. She moved like a martial artist. She had chin-length choppy brown hair with red at the tips and chocolate brown eyes. Her face was quite appealing, with high cheekbones, thin jaw, and a big smile just for Finn. I hated her on sight. When she saw how close Finn and I stood, her steps faltered. Finn yanked his hand out of mine and approached her.

“Hana.” He kissed her cheek, lingering close. He whispered something into her ear that made her blush. His body brushed hers, and I felt a sharp spike of jealousy.

Huh, I’d no reason to be jealous. I’d no claim on him. I studied the ground as they whispered to each other. I looked back at the guards; the cowboy stared at Hana.

Finn and Hana exchanged a look; she headed my way.

She approached me with small steps and smiled. “Hello. Finn has been telling me about you. Welcome. He tells me you will be going on a tour, but I hope to spend some time with you later.”

Hana appeared sincere. And wasn’t that just annoying.

I smiled and nodded. “Thank you. That sounds nice,” I replied, my voice stilted.

Finn meandered back behind her. She beamed at us both and traveled down the way we’d come. Finn moved to take my hand again. I laced my fingers in front of me and stepped forward.

We reached the top of the path, and I got my first glimpse of Mirror Lake. It made Finn’s look like a puddle. Tall majestic trees lined most of its banks. There were fish in the water; I saw their shadows darting into the depths. They were long, like eels, from what I glimpsed. Huge bird-like creatures with bony wings congregated on the shore nearby; a lone bird flew across the surface, dipping its head at the last minute to spear some food. The rest warbled to each other, in harmony with nature. The sunshine bathed the area in a shimmering glow. Everything was washed out and golden. Ethereal. Beautiful.

“Careful,” he said as I stepped toward the shore. He pulled me back into him and nuzzled my neck. “They bite.”

He leaned closer and nipped my ear.

I jumped and twirled around. “What are you doing?”

“I thought that was obvious.” He cocked his head, brows drawn.

Why did I kiss him earlier? What a mistake. I raised my eyebrow. “Stop.”

He lifted his hands, confused, and turned back to the path.

I followed him, not paying attention to where I was going. I shouldn’t be this upset, but I was. Things were so messed up. I didn’t know how I got here. I didn’t know these people or their customs. I was a fish out of water, and Finn made me feel safe, his fierceness at first terrifying, but now reassuring. I was giving him mixed signals, and I knew it.

I nearly ran him over when he stopped.

He poked my forehead. “You need to stop thinking and look at this.”

I smacked his hand away as I took in the view. We’d skirted around the edge of the lake. The path opened up into a meadow before a large building. Life pulsed around us. More birds flew among the blossoms and the forest. A flock of frothy birds congregated on a flower bush along the banks. The dark blue lake glistened; a boat bobbed in the waves.

I’d lamented the lack of colors and diversity in flora back in Finn’s camp, but there was no shortage of color here. It was everywhere. There were flowers of every shape and size, in all the shades of the rainbow, flourishing around me. Some were tamed into sculpted rows, while others grew unchecked along the path. The two-story house stood out majestically at the end of the glorious, riotous path of beauty that led up to it from the water. The house had a wide, covered front porch set with chairs. Lanterns glimmered along the rail. Again, I was reminded of home; the house looked less like a log cabin and more processed, more like something I’d see on Earth.

“Who lives here?”

“Marin,” he snapped, just as Marin stepped onto the porch. A zing raced up my spine and goose bumps ran down my skin. My hand drifted to cover my tummy. I’d tried not to think about the clan chief and his offer of protection. My gaze drifted over him. Good Lord, my hormones were in overdrive.

Finn nudged me, narrowing his eyes.

Marin didn’t seem to notice us at first and held the railing, bent over. He gazed upon the lake, his mouth drawn and shoulders tight. A guard came out, and they talked for a minute before the guard headed in our direction. The guard’s step faltered when he saw us. Marin noted his hesitation and swung our way. I waved. I couldn’t help it. Marin waved back and motioned us up to the porch.

Finn smacked me on the ass. “Why did you do that? Now we have to go talk to him.”

I shoved him with my shoulder as I passed. “You’re a good talker.”

“He is a talker. I am a doer.” He winked and stepped in front of me. I trailed behind him and up onto the porch, my hand on the rail.

Marin dipped his head. There were shadows in his eyes I hadn’t seen the day before. “How long have you been there?”

“We just walked over. Why?” Finn replied.

“Anyone see you?” Marin pressed.

“Hana saw us on the path just a few minute ago. We have not been here long. But again, I ask you why.”

“There was a murder.”

My gut clenched. Immediately, I flashed to right after I woke up. The cold, the laughter, running. It might not be related to that, but I had a bad feeling. Maybe it hadn’t been my imagination.

“What?” I echoed.

“Who?” Finn asked at the same time.

“Gia, Torrin’s daughter, Ute’s niece. There are whispers; they talk of Elizabeth, of the Imani.” Marin pointed his chin in my direction.

“When did it happen?” Finn persisted.

“Just recently, half an hour ago, maybe less.”

“It could not have been Beta. I have been with her all morning, for the past hour or two. You can also check with her guards.” Finn beckoned them up to the porch as we talked. “That is one reason why we placed guards.”

“Good. No question of her being the murderer. But still they talk of the Imani, and some associate her with them.”

They exchanged looks, and silent communication passed between them. “You should get her back. People will be going to work soon, now that it is light. We need to keep her safe.”

I went to speak, but when I opened my mouth, a gorgeous dark-haired woman sauntered out of the house behind Marin, pulling her shirt closed. She simpered at the men, ignored me completely, and strolled on by. A random streak of jealousy darted through me.

I bit my lip. “Busy, were you?”

“Busy?”

I raised my eyebrows.

“Ah, not me. Zanth, and from the noise, I would say they were.” Marin grinned at me as he said this last with a slight leer.

When I blushed, Finn frowned.

Marin stepped toward me and ran his hand down my cheek. Sparks spread in the wake, and my skin tightened. Marin’s eyes were grave. “You need to head back. It will be safe at Ute’s. I will take care of this.”

I nodded, caught by his eyes.

Finn grabbed my hand and tugged me away. We returned the way we’d come. So much for exploration.

“What was that?” he muttered.

“What was what?”

Finn glared at me.

The atmosphere was tense. Guards streamed around us, weapons out. Several rushed toward Marin’s house. Others rushed the opposite way. More joined us on the walk back, questions on their faces. I just got here, but I was going under house arrest.

At Ute’s place, Finn stopped to talk to my guards. I went inside. My hands shook. Tears threatened but at the same time, my teeth were on edge, muscles tense. Anger and fear glided through me in a sick wave.

Finn came in and strode over to me. He yanked me into a hug.

I breathed out, feeling shaky, and hugged him. It felt way too good.

“Everything will be fine,” he said as I leaned into him a second longer than I should, then stood tall. I grabbed a book.

Knowledge was power.

The tome contained a history of the war with the Imani. I knew some of the information from Ute, but it wouldn’t hurt to read.

Finn copped a squat next to me.

“You would rather be out there, wouldn’t you?” I sat down and turned the page, not seeing much of it.

“Yes and no. I do not want to leave you unprotected, but I cannot help thinking this is about you. The timing is too perfect.” He faltered. “I have known little Gia since she was born. She is Ute’s niece and the only child to one of my friends. This will devastate him.”

“I’m sorry.” I reached out my hand and covered his. Finn squeezed my fingers. “When I was out there…”

He turned and peered at me. “What?”

“When I woke up out there, I wondered if something was following me. I heard a crash behind me and ran. Later, I found you,” I said in a rush, head down.

“I thought you said you did not see anything.” His jaw clenched. His hand tightened on mine.

“I didn’t. I just thought I heard something and ran like hell. This whole place, this whole thing, scares me.” I hung my head.

He jaw unclenched. “The noise was nothing, probably an animal. The Imani are not incompetent. If they were after you, they would have had you.”

That made sense. I breathed out, raising my head. If it had been the Imani, I would never have gotten away, not in my condition. If it wasn’t the Imani, then who killed the little girl and why?

“Security in town, what is it like?”

“In town there is little security. We have some crime, but it is petty. We have not had a murder in a long time, an occasional rape. Most everything that happens is stealing, vandalism, up past dark, in places they should not be. The entrance to the valley is always guarded. It keeps most of the animals out. Geography does the rest.”

That explained the lack of wildlife.

“Right outside town there are mines.” He paused. “That is where you were found.”

Right outside. It felt much farther away than that.

“I will have to leave at Midday. I will get more details then.”

Silence fell between us.