Page 19

King

Cosway was a woman. If I could be right just once, it might help in dealing with my mate. No, I was not killing a damn woman.

Beck and I didn’t bother bathing. We gave the women time to enjoy the water. If Marinah didn’t like my smell, too damn bad. War wasn’t exactly the time for roses and perfume.

“We need to grab the kittens on the way out,” Marinah said once we were finally ready to leave.

“We are not taking the kittens with us,” I commanded with enough force to shake trees.

Twenty minutes later, we were on our way with five kittens.

Maybe we needed a marriage counselor because this mating thing was harder than it looked. Marinah carried one damn cat with all their food stuffed into her pack. Cosway carried four of the kittens in a pack that had been in her make-do cave. Now I had a human woman, an injured human, and five kittens to contend with.

I didn’t think the situation could get worse, but I bit that thought off quickly. Of course, it could get worse, especially with Marinah in the picture. There was no holding back a growl.

Beck was doing everything he could not to laugh in my face, and I couldn’t blame him. Point me in any direction, and I’d find something to kill, no problem. Collecting people, and now cats, wasn’t my thing.

I glanced at Marinah holding the smallest kitten, a scrappy little thing that looked like a patchwork quilt. She brought the tiny creature up to her massive jaws, and the kitten rubbed its small head against her teeth.

This was worse than when she climbed my shoulders naked to avoid a snake. And, of course, it was me who wouldn’t live it down. Not to mention, I didn’t like cats.

“Are we starting the official Shadow Warrior Humane Society?” Beck called out from about ten feet away, clearly smart enough to keep his distance.

If looks could kill, he’d already be on the ground, and Missy would be a widow. Instead of removing his head, I said, “You have a mate too. I don’t know why you’re giving me a hard time.”

“That I do,” he replied with a grin. “Never knew life could be so interesting.”

“I’m the one thinking rationally here,” I muttered. “We can always eat the cats if food gets scarce.”

Beck laughed, knowing full well Marinah would scalp me if she heard that. My cold stare did the trick, and Beck wisely slowed his steps so he was farther away. Marinah approached, cradling her kitten. I already knew it was hers. Like there was any doubt. I could make a fool of myself again by telling her no, but I wasn’t in the mood for the blowback from my men. In the end, we all knew I’d give her what she wanted.

“Here, you need to hold him,” she said, thrusting the tiny ball of fur at me. I had no choice but to take the kitten.

“Isn’t he precious?” she added, her tone practically glowing.

I brought the kitten to my nose and sniffed. “Smells like food.”

She batted my arm, her claws leaving faint scratches. “No, he doesn’t. He’s adorable.”

The kitten squirmed in my hands, its tiny paws scrabbling against my fingers. I glanced at Marinah, completely perplexed.

“Cuddle him, and he’ll stop squirming,” she said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Cuddle him. I needed a deep, dark hole to jump into. I glanced toward Beck, who was watching me while losing the battle to hold back his grin.

Here goes nothing.

I lifted the kitten higher and tucked him between my jaw and shoulder. A few seconds later, he stilled and began to purr, the vibration surprisingly soothing against my neck.

“I knew you could do it,” Marinah said, smiling with satisfaction. She looked so damn proud, and that almost made it worse.

I handed the kitten back to her. “Take him.”

She lifted the tiny creature from my hands with a mock bow. “I’m on it, your majesty.”

The next two days were going to be hell.

∞∞∞

That evening, Garret managed to sit up for five minutes. It happened after Axel helped him to the ledge to relieve himself. When he lay back down, he was out cold again.

Axel said it was a positive sign.

I told everyone to keep a close watch on Cosway and to make sure she stayed far away from the weapons. I didn’t trust her. Not fully. There was always the possibility she’d flip and try to kill us all. Yeah, I was probably reaching, but I didn’t like the unknown, and Cosway was the definition of it. To survive as long as she had, she’d needed instincts, guts, and the will to do whatever it took. The cities were the most dangerous place in the country and it wasn’t just the hellhounds. Food became scarce and people did whatever it took to survive. She’d killed before. She had to have, or she wouldn’t be alive.

On the third morning, we packed our gear. We planned to leave at noon, giving Garret a few extra hours. Axel would carry him when we set off. Marinah had claimed two of the kittens now, while Cosway carried three. The kitten food and a few items from Cosway’s makeshift home were divided among our packs. The picture Marinah found, of a young Cosway with her parents, was coming with us.

My biggest concern was General Smythe and the possibility of an ambush. We’d seen no sign of anyone else in the city, but the quiet had stretched too long. Yesterday, Beck and Labyrinth had disposed of the soldiers’ bodies below the building before their stench could reach our rooftop camp. It had been eerily calm since then.

Too calm.

I glanced toward Marinah, who was talking to Garret and Axel. Beast didn’t react. That, at least, was a small relief. I shifted my gaze to Cosway. Normally, a Warrior could easily scent the difference between a male and female. But with Cosway, the overwhelming smell of cat urine had made it impossible. I should have paid more attention to Beast when he hadn’t reacted to Marinah being near her.

I took point when we set out, Marinah behind me, then Cosway, followed by Labyrinth, Axel carrying Garret, and Beck taking the rear. We moved at half the speed we’d used coming into the city.

Axel didn’t argue about leaving. He understood the risks, and he knew I’d already given him more time than I should have.

Once we were out of the city, I veered us off the original path. I didn’t trust it. There was too much chance it had been compromised.

Our breaks were quiet, with little talking. Axel focused on caring for Garret, while Marinah tended to Cosway and the kittens. I kept to myself, licking my pride wounds, mostly. I was completely out of my depth with Marinah, and I had no idea how to handle it.

The first night was awkward and tense. She slept beside me in my arms, but little was said. I lay awake, her scent filling my lungs, as I tried to make sense of this new reality. The crushing weight of knowing I might not be able to keep her safe gnawed at me, and it was slowly killing me.

Halfway through the second day, we were marching along a high ridge when someone appeared in the distance, coming from the south. We immediately took cover. A few minutes later, I could make out Nokita heading our way. I had no idea how he’d found us, but something was wrong.

We started a slow jog toward him, and he quickened his pace when he spotted us. It took ten minutes to meet up.

“There’s a large contingent of Federation soldiers descending on the northern outpost,” he said grimly. “They have hellhounds, but we don’t know how many. We’ve already pulled Warriors from the other outposts, and they’re in transit. After you left, the women and children were moved to the northern outpost, and now they’re in imminent danger.”

I glanced behind me, quickly making a decision. “Labyrinth, you’re traveling with Axel and Garret.” Then I turned to Marinah. “You’re staying with them for added protection. Beck, you’re with me. We’re moving fast.”

I turned, ready to leave, when Marinah’s voice stopped me.

“King?” she called urgently. “Take me with you.”

Her refusal to follow orders made the situation even more dangerous, but I knew arguing would only waste time. I nodded sharply, and she fell in beside me.

Axel spoke up before we moved out. “Take Labyrinth too. I’ve got these two, and you need the help.”

I hesitated, then looked at Labyrinth. He didn’t wait for further instruction, falling in with us as we prepared to leave.

“Bye-bye, little butterfly,” Cosway said sadly, watching Marinah hand off the kittens. Her tone was wistful, and for a moment, I caught a glimpse of something almost fairylike about her.

Then we took off, running toward danger.