Page 20 of Theirs to Crave

Dread spread through me as I stared towards the column of smoke. I met Revik’s gaze, and the horror on his face told me he’d come to the same conclusion.

Svixa was staying with us until the next storm break. She was a bright and curious child, and with two new babies in the den, my sister and her mates were struggling to keep her entertained through the long rainy days. She’d climbed all over Zaf when we’d visited last, questions falling from her mouth so fast she barely breathed. He’d announced—tail twitching with playfulness—that her mother needed a particular tea, so Svixa would have to learn to make it. Then he’d laughed, scooped her up, and brought her home. The branches had been singing with her laughter for the past three days.

Now she was gone.

Revik and I dove back into the trees, calling her name. The trees around our home were as familiar as our own faces, and it didn’t take long to confirm our fears. We were silent as we dropped to the ground and stalked to where Zaf waited by thebanked fire, uncaring of the water that streamed from us onto the floor.

“There’s a column of smoke—like nothing I’ve seen before—off towards the mountain,” I said. Curiosity flashed in Zaf’s eyes before melting back into somber focus. If he hadn’t been worried about Svixa, he would have been halfway to the dark smear by now. “I think she is that way.” I’d only caught hints of her trail, the rain having washed most of it away, but I was sure enough not to consider searching anywhere else.

Zaf closed his eyes and pulled at his ears in distress, cursing.

Revik’s tail brushed across each of us as he stalked into the den and went about gathering our supplies. We would go after her. And we would find out what burned so hot that the storm didn’t drown it.

But first, I wrapped Zaf in my embrace, forcing a purr past my fear-tightened throat. His healer’s heart gave him strength, but it bled whenever one of his was hurt. My love would blame himself for this. Svixa’s parents had warned us she’d been sneaking out to explore. She must have been out and seen whatever had happened. That would be too much temptation for one curious child to resist.

Foreheads touching, we shared breath until his heartbeat steadied. Zaf rubbed my wet cheek with his perfect one, then together we strode inside.

Our travel packs, spears, and knives were laid out for us. Revik flexed and twisted, settling his gear firmly into place.

“We must find her,” he rumbled. His claws—fully extended—curved at his sides as his tail lashed behind him.

“We will,” I swore, running my hand comfortingly over his chest. I let it rest for a moment on the blaze of pale fur so shocking on his sleek black form—its color such a light purple it seemed silver in all but full sunlight—then reached for my pack. I glanced at Zaf. “One of us must go to the village. They need to know what we do—and prepare for whatever may come.”

Zaf hesitated.

Revik would go after Svixa. I fought back a growl of frustration that we didn’t know more of what we faced. Did the child need healing? Or defending?

“I will go,” Zaf decided. “But I won’t stay. Be safe, I will follow soon.” His movements were sharp with tension as he embraced each of us, then turned to go. He was halfway to the door when Revik spoke, stopping him.

“Go to Kurz, let him carry the news. Saytireka will want to keep you safe in the village.” Revik’s lip curled when he spoke our matriarch’s name, and Zaf chuffed in exasperated agreement.

His mother was protective of her children. Especially Zaf, who she’d decided should lead the village after her. His refusal only made her more determined.

I adjusted the strap across my chest and watched Zaf’s pale, lithe form disappear into the rain battered night. Revik had altered my weapons harness so that it sat securely, allowing me easy access with my single arm, and I wore it with pride. Whatever awaited us, I was as prepared as I could be.

Moments later, Revik and I were running along the wide branches of the jungle towards the strange smoke and Svixa.

Spirits, let us find her alive.

Uncertainty nipped at my heels, pushing me to greater speed, but I held myself back. Whatever was ahead, I would need my strength. So, I kept my pace steady, slipping only occasionally on the wet bark, with Revik a dark shadow beside me. Overhead, sky fire flashed. I gritted my teeth. Whoever’s doom the sky foretold—and I was grimly certain someone would die this night—it would not be Svixa.

Revik’s shoulder brushed mine as his body bunched, then soared to the next tree, captivating and deadly.

It wouldn’t be him, either. I wouldn’t allow it.

???

We didn’t find Svixa at the source of the smoke.

What we did find...I had no words for. Some kind of massive rock that—from the damage to the trees—had fallen from the sky, ablaze.Creatureshad come from the rock, their scent and tracks unfamiliar. They traveled on the ground, leaving a trail of trampled plants as clear as a river.

Revik and I leapt above the creatures’ path, searching for a small furry body among the dark, sodden leaves.

I caught a hint of Svixa’s scent and moved faster, every sense alert. She’d been through here not long ago.

Unfamiliar cries rang through the night. I gripped the branch beneath me with my claws and stilled, swiveling my ears as I tracked the sounds. Ahead. Not far. The open area before thetonkartrees.

“I will circle around,” Revik growled. “Be cautious,sha—”