“I heard her speaking to the clans on our last day there,” Tavish said. “That’s part of the problem too, isn’t it?”
I nodded.
“The one who was hunted…” Orrin mused.
Their moods darkened. I realized they’d all heard it, and it disturbed them as much as it did me.
Sven shook his head. “That claw and vine on her shoulder is the damnedest thing. The Vendan clans seemed to have a lot of regard for it.”
“It’s all that’s left of our wedding kavah. When we first met, she said the kavah was a terrible mistake.”
Somehow, I had to make her believe that again.
Be true, my sisters and brothers,
Not like the Chimentra,
The alluring creature
With two seductive mouths.
Its words flow luxurious, like a satin ribbon,
Binding up the unwary in its silken braids.
But without ears to hear its own words,
The Chimentra is soon strangled,
Caught in the trail of its beautiful lies.
—Song of Venda
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
KADEN
Lia argued with the guards posted at the door and finally pushed past them. She walked to the back of the barracks where I sat with my feet resting on the end of Griz’s cot.
The first thing she did was look at the empty bottle on the floor beside me, and the second thing was to hover over me and sniff.
Her upper lip curled. “You’re drunk.”
I shrugged. “Only half buzzed. There wasn’t much left in the bottle.”
“That bottle was for Griz. Not you.”
“Look at him. Does he look like he needs it? The surgeon’s plying him with his own special brew to keep him flat on his back. Him too,” I added, nodding toward Jeb. “The only company I have in here is their farts and snores.”
She rolled he
r eyes. “You have nothing better to do than drink red-eye?”
“Like what?”
“Anything! Go outside and get some sunshine. Explore the outpost.”
“In case you hadn’t noticed, there are guards posted outside, not to mention I’ve had more than my share of the outdoors the last couple of weeks.” I lifted the bottle and let a few last drops fall on my tongue, then kicked Jeb’s foot to make sure he was completely out before I said more. “As for the outpost, I already know what it looks like. I’ve been here before.”