Page 20 of Diamond

There's no cart in sight, but they seem settled, and the male is certainly big enough to provide her protection.

I can't understand the language, though its cascade is soothing as they talk back and forth. It strikes me that this is the second pair of male and female I have seen interacting so closely.

From what I have observed, the male is lean and tall with skin of bright silver and green hair. With her shocking white hair and black body covering, it is almost as though he compliments her. A fitting donor, though not for one so young.

He looks at ease, a feeling I could never muster. The realization sits heavy in my stomach. Where would I even find such courage, and to what purpose? Still, seeing males and females interacting so comfortably shocks me, leading me to question whether I am the odd one.

On my planet, a male would need to be a female's donor to be so close to her, and their focus wouldn't be on conversation. That wasn't the case with Ree and Thivoll, nor does it seem to be here with Ree's friend and this shiny male.

In fact, the human females seem to adapt to their rescuers quickly. Is that a natural human trait, or something caused by the genali?

My eyes drift back to her. Those white eyes with the dark fur above them, that long cascade of pale hair, so unlike my own. Her brown skin, the way her lips move, it's all captivating.

A quick flash of her hair laying across my darker skin in lovely contrast makes my hearts race.

My body shudders, and anger flares at myself for being so focused on her. She's safe and seems comfortable with the male. His sparkling skin complements her brilliant features far better than I ever could.

My hand goes up to touch my skin and I feel the familiar ripple of my skin flickering. Parts of me are just as bright, aren't they?

I snort softly, my braids clacking against my face. This is ridiculous.

It is what Samke would call pathetic. I usually would not care for his opinion, but knowing I will never see him again makes me strangely nostalgic for the things I once ignored.

I need to go tell them about Ree, but it feels like I would be intruding. Yet, something about their interaction seems off.

Ree's body was always relaxed around her donor, and their interaction seemed easy and natural. These two are different, though I cannot be sure. I know little about females, not nearly enough to walk up and speak to one. What would I know about the intricacies of their donor picking?

But the way his face looks… he is far too interested in her. He shouldn't look at her like that. No one should.

The pair moves again, and I creep closer, weighing how to approach provoking the male to attack. The human and her protector are situated in a hollowed-out rock now.

The surrounding trees are strategically placed to conceal the cave, but an orange glow betrays the presence of a fire.

I watch the silver male walk off, leaving her alone, and frown at his carelessness. Lighting a fire at night in a forest crawling with hunters is reckless enough. Leaving the woman you're meant to protect? Foolish.

I keep my eye on her until he storms back in after a few moments. Their interaction is incomprehensible to me, but their body language is clear. The human is rigid, her hand raised in a gesture that seems to warn him away. I begin to wonder, are they arguing, or is it simply how they communicate?

From where I lay, I see the male straighten, appearing even taller than he formerly was as he takes slow steps toward the human.

10

Rin

I raise a hand in front of me and shake my head at him. "No, Tehlmar, you don't just know something like that about someone you just met. So maybe you should be telling me exactly how you know I can eat it. While you're at it, try not to leave out all the other information you know about humans so I can survive on this cursed planet," I hiss, my words coming out in a harsh whisper.

Tehlmar's back straightens and his expression changes from mild annoyance to completely stoic before rapidly deteriorating to a mask of pure rage. He strides toward me in a deliberately slow, menacing gait, like a predator stalking its prey, before stopping abruptly just out of my reach.

I can almost feel the tension rolling off his body. His fist is clenched so tight that I initially think he's about to take a swing at me.

I take a step back as my heart pumps faster. That expression, twitching eye, eerie calm just before the storm, I'd recognize anywhere. Trauma teleports me to a younger age, a million miles away, and the hateful looks I grew accustomed to—clenched fists and rocks thrown at my head by faceless mobs.

All because I wanted an education.

He is still silent as the side of his mouth stretches into a sharp-toothed sneer. He takes one step toward me.

I take another step back and he copies me. "Tehlmar," I try to call to him, stretching my hands in front of me in a useless attempt to stop him. But my gesture only makes him bare more of his sharp green teeth at me.

"Tehlmar, please." I attempt to make it a statement, but it comes out as a whimper.