Page 24 of Consumed By Fire

My mouth suddenly feels drier at the thought. I put my hand on the trunk of a tree, ready to climb up myself.

“Don’t you dare.” Octane touches my elbow. “You wait down here. I don’t want the baby getting hurt.” He gives my arm a soft squeeze and then vaults up a nearby tree.

He cares about us.

No! He wants information from me, and he won’t be able to get it if I’m injured. If something happens to my baby, he won’t be able to use him or her against me. I need to keep my head straight on my shoulders. Octane does not care about me. Not one damned bit.

Still, I’m in awe of his grace and strength as he jumps from one tree to the next. He is impressive to watch in action. I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions swirling inside me. Despite the danger and fear he instills in me, there’s a part of me that can’t ignore the undeniable allure of his power and prowess. The way he moves with such agility and purpose leaves me slightly breathless, which is unlike me.

I don’t like it at all.

I really need to get over this little infatuation. It isn’t real. I’m a basket case of hormones and emotions right now. I need to keep reminding myself of that.

He expertly gathers a few coconuts, dropping them to the ground below him with a series of thuds. I rush over to inspect each one. Octane joins me, a small smile playing on his lips as he watches my excitement. I can’t help it; I’m that thirsty.

“Look at this one!” I hold up a particularly large coconut, shaking it close to my ear, hearing sloshing inside. “This one is definitely full of sweet water.” I’m practically salivating at this point.

Octane nods. “That’s a good one, alright.” He takes it from me.

He lifts a hand, and scales appear on his wrist, going up his arm. His nails lengthen to sharp claws, which he uses to pierce a hole in the top of the coconut. My mouth waters as he hands it back. I drink down all of the liquid inside, a few drops spilling down my chin.

Octane does the same. He opens a second one, handing it to me. I drink my fill, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. There are several more coconuts at our feet.

“We’ll come back this way and take those with us for later.”

I nod. “Sounds like a plan. Are we going hunting for food?” My stomach growls loudly at the thought of meat.

Octane shakes his head. “I wish! We can’t start a fire out here. It’s too risky. I’m sure I can rustle something up.”

We start walking again. This time, it’s for longer. The air is thick and humid. The jungle is a wild tangle of vegetation, with towering trees and dense underbrush. Sunlight barely filters through the canopy. We pick our way, climbing over roots and fallen branches. Octane seems to know exactly where he is going. Thankfully, the undergrowth opens up, making it easier to navigate. Octane makes for a tree. He looks up and then turns and grins at me. My stomach does a flip-flop. It’s the first time I’ve seen him actually smile, and it’s spectacular. His eyes light up, and two dimples appear on either side of his mouth. I keep staring at him until his smile falters, replaced with a confused look.

Crap!

I was gawping at him again. I look up at the tree he is so interested in.

“Wow!” I whisper. It has to be over a hundred feet tall. Dangling down the trunk of the tree are lots of round pods on long dangling vines. They’re almost as big as coconuts, but smooth and brown instead of green.

Octane picks up one of the fallen pods and hands it to me. “Have you ever eaten Brazil nuts?”

I nod, my eyes widening. “Is that what’s inside?”

Octane nods, frowning a little. “Yep, they make for good eating. The protein will give us energy.”

“How do you know so much about the jungle?”

“Surely you have jungles in Mistveil? Quite frankly, I’m shocked that you know so little. I thought all of you Reds lived out in the jungle.”

I laugh. “No, you’re wrong on that note. Of course, we have plenty of jungle on Mistveil, but I live in the city. I don’t venture much into the wilderness. It isn’t safe.”

“Why not?”

“We don’t have many women on Mistveil. Most pregnancies result in male offspring. It has become worse and worse over the years. Now, there is a huge shortage of women, with as many as fifteen males to one female. Males are desperate. Women have gone missing before. It’s why we are urged to take more than one mate.”

“What?” His voice is gruff. “More than one mate? That’s unnatural.” His face changes. “Do you have more than one mate? Is that why you looked at me with desire, even though you are already mated?”

“No, I don’t have more than one.” I shake my head. “That whole thing isn’t for me. I said ‘urged,’ not ‘forced.’ I looked at you with…interest…not desire. You flatter yourself.”

“Is there a difference?”