Page 59

The only improvement from yesterday was that the few town members on the road didn’t flee at their approach. They merely curled their lips in distaste.

“This is the main housing area.” The Chief’s voice stretched over the hot air as she pointed out various buildings. “Over there is the medical cabin, which you’ve already seen, and next to it is our dining hall.”

Serene stayed close by her side as they listened intently, with Brock, Adan, and Derek not far behind.

Takeshi hung back, scanning the outer walls obsessively.

“Ah, here we are.”

The Chief led them to an open dirt clearing beyond the houses. A group of thirty people, mostly men with smaller builds, stood in a circle wearing black cloaks.

“How’s it going, Patreus?” the Chief called out.

A taller man in a black tunic stood off to the side, hands resting on his hips. He had razor-short brown hair and a permanent frown etched on his tan face. At the Chief’s voice, he turned, his bulging muscles tensing.

“Pleasetell me it wasn’t one of these girls who killed Varo,” the man rumbled.

“It wasn’t.” The Chief tilted her head. “But you know better than to judge based off size, Patreus.”

Patreus crossed his arms. “Yes, you won’t let me forgetthat. So, which one did it?”

The Chief fixed her attention on Takeshi. “What’s your name?”

Takeshi’s expression hardened like the name he gave her. “Steele.”

“You really gave our men quite a beating,Steele.” Her voice was edged with bitter resentment. “The Desert Spring was built for peace, but we find ourselves needing the kind of tenacity you displayed. Your assignment is to assist Patreus in training our warriors. Think you can handle that?”

Takeshi’s frown deepened and his gaze flickered over Khalani and the others for a split second.

“What will their assignments be?” he asked.

The Chief sighed. “I’ve thought it through. The girls will help wash clothing. You two,” she indicated Adan and Derek, “will gather water from the well.”

The Chief finally turned to Brock. “Andyouwill help prepare meals in the group kitchen.”

Brock’s fierce gaze narrowed. “I’d be more useful training your warriors than wasting time in thekitchen.” He spat the word like an insult.

“And the fact that you believe I care what you want makes this moment even more gratifying. Enjoy.” The Chief spun on her heel and marched away without looking back.

Patreus muttered under his breath and directed Khalani and Serene to a white building down the road to meet a woman named Marissa. Ferren and Jared led Derek and Adan to the well, while Brock begrudgingly marched toward the food hall, grumbling obscenities the whole way.

A few feet down the path, she glanced back and caught Patreus giving Takeshi a stern talking-to, his gaze icy and filledwith distrust. Takeshi appeared to be listening intently, but his gaze shifted to her.

She froze, but Serene said, “C’mon, Khalani. We don’t want to get in trouble.”

Khalani nodded, continuing on their path. She couldn’t help but peer over her shoulder once more.

But Takeshi never looked back.

***

For the next few days, Khalani and Serene spent their time scrubbing dirty clothes in large water barrels.

They worked until the sun dipped below the horizon and the oppressive heat gave way to a cool chill.

In the evening, they joined the others in the log cabin for a quick, brothy meal. Despite the hard work they put in each day, the Desert Spring residents continued to stare at them as if Khalani and the others were going to murder them in their sleep.

At night, in the stillness of the house, the six of them gathered to discuss escape plans. Adan and Brock searched every corner and crevice to ensure there were no cameras or listening devices. Even though they couldn’t find anything, they still talked in hushed whispers in the bedroom.