Page 37 of Valka

“He means he wants to kill Skala again.”

“I do, too. I want to bring him back and feed him to Delia’s bird. Then bring him back and feed him to Delia’s bird again. And if it’s not painful enough I want to…” Bettina stopped talking when she realized both males were looking at her with wide-eyed surprise. “What? What’s wrong?” she asked.

Valka turned his head just enough to make eye contact with Katva.

Katva met Valka’s gaze.

“Raska female,” Valka said.

“It’s not my fault that Raska chose me. I did not want to choose him. He was mean.”

“Raska female have skaevin?” Valka asked.

“No,” Katva answered.

“Good,” Valka said, reaching out to lay his hand on Delia’s forehead again.

“He deserves to die again, and painfully. He hurt my friend.”

Valka glanced up at her again, but this time he nodded his agreement.

“Why can’t I want to kill him. It’s okay for you to, why not me?”

“Males are the violent ones. Females are not. Females are usually quiet, accepting,” Katva said.

“I am definitely neither quiet nor accepting. But I’m not violent either.”

“Violent good. Scare people.”

“I’m not scary.”

Valka raised an eyebrow and looked at Katva. “Scary,” he said, nodding.

Katva smiled at Valka’s assessment.

Bettina knelt next to the furs Delia slept on. She didn’t kneel on them, she knelt beside them, then reached out, taking Delia’s hand in hers despite grumbles from Valka. “I’m sorry you’re hurt. I’m so sorry. I wish I could do something to change it, but I can’t. So, maybe I could do something to help you. Just wake up and tell me what you need and I’ll find a way to get it for you. I’ll get whatever it is you want done for you.”

Valka scowled before he leaned over to get Bettina’s attention. “Go away,” he said.

“I know you want me to leave, but I can’t, not until I know she’s alright. She was nice to me, even after she knew the truth about me, she was nice to me. And she saved us, so she has to be alright,” Bettina said.

“Toska female say same.”

“Which is Toska’s female?” Bettina asked.

“Loud, loud female,” Valka said.

“Louise,” Katva answered.

“Oh, yes, Louise.”

“Come, Bettina, let’s leave Valka to care for her.”

“Alright. But can we come back?”

“When Delia wake, Delia say,” Valka said.

Bettina nodded, but instead of getting up, she leaned over and kissed Delia’s cheek. “I’ll be back. You just rest and get stronger.” She finally stood and walked over to Katva.