Page 7

Kala

I have almost forgotten what it is like to be feared.

Until now. Until her . It radiates from the human.

Not only from her eyes, but her scent reeks of it.

The unpleasant odor makes my nostrils itch.

I also do not like the fact that Sorin is witness to it.

He is only a kit, and there are two things in this world I have wished to shield him from, even if I know it is impossible.

Fear and hatred for our kind. Yet, I have exposed him to it once again.

“You have nothing to fear from me, female.”

“Iris?” Sorin tilts his head, and there is confusion in the way he says her name.

Talek and the two human kits stare back and forth between her and me, but remain silent. There is a tension in the Tavikhi kit. This ‘Iris’ glances at Sorin, and to my surprise, there is a softness in her gaze. One she did not look upon me with. The female clears her throat and attempts a smile.

“Sorry, I was just startled for a second there.” She turns her gaze to me. “I’m Iris. Are you Sorin’s father?”

“Aye.”

She wipes her palm on her leg, but in a way that I do not think she wishes it to be noticeable, and takes a small step, then another, toward me until she is within an arm’s length.

Then she carefully reaches out her hand—one that trembles—as if she thinks I will grab her. “It’s…it’s nice to meet you.”

I stare at her outstretched arm, unsure what it is I am supposed to do with it.

“You are meant to hold it, Gogo,” Sorin rasps quietly beside me.

Iris moves to withdraw her hand, but before she can, I clasp it within mine, taking care not to scratch her with my claws.

Her palm is warm and slightly damp. But her skin is soft.

Perhaps even softer than the fur of a leburin.

I try to recall if I have ever touched the flesh of another human, if only by accident, but I cannot recall.

Surely I would remember if they were as soft as this Iris is?

“Um, actually, you’re supposed to…” her voice trails off and she swallows. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.”

“No, if I am doing this incorrectly, I would like to know the right way.” Perhaps it is a failing in me, this need to do things the proper way in which they are meant to be done.

“It’s a human way of greeting people called a handshake. Like this.” Iris gently, but firmly grips my hand and moves it in a shallow up and down motion before pulling away and dropping her arm to her side.

“I would like to be shown one more time so that I may fully understand.” Perhaps because it is also an excuse to experience the softness of her skin one last time.

“Oh, okay.” She holds her arm out again, and I take it within mine, mimicking to the best of my ability this shaking thing she did.

“Greetings. I am Kala.” I study her eyes that speak of hardship as well as strength and determination.

She clears her throat. “I’m Iris.”

“Iris.” It is a soft name, like her skin. Like her voice.

“Gogo, it is my turn.” Sorin interrupts.

She and I let go of one another, and she quickly turns her gaze upon my kit.

I rub my fingers together almost as if I can feel the touch of her against them still.

Sorin has his hand out, and Iris slips hers around it.

The two of them do this handshake, and that rough stone rubbing sound falls from his throat again.

“I am next,” Talek announces, clearly not wanting to be left out.

The Tavikhi kit shakes her hand, but the two human kits decline.

“No offense, Iris,” Carter says. “We just already know what a handshake is.”

“None taken.” Whereas the amused sound Sorin makes is rough, the one that comes from Iris is lyrical.

It is a sound unlike any other. It is more harmonious and melodic than the call of the mellenje.

I do not have a word for it, but the way it hits my ear is soothing.

It is a sound I am not sure I would ever grow tired of listening to.

“We were practicing our axe throwing.” Sorin glances in the direction where the target sits. “Although, I think Iris needs a bit more.”

She makes that beautiful amused sound again and her lips spread in a wide grin that exposes her blunt, human teeth. “In my defense, I’ve never held a weapon before today. Didn’t I tell you it was a bad combination?”

“At least you did not cut off your other arm,” Talek speaks up.

Iris expels a loud noise. “There is that. Given my poor performance, though, it could have gone either way.”

“Your form is sufficient, and with more practice, you will improve.” I do not know what compels me to speak such words. Her fear has appeared to diminish, and I do not want to smell the acrid scent of it again by bringing myself to her attention.

She arches one of the thin furry lines over her eye. “Sufficient, huh? Careful there, or you’re going to make my head swell with all the pretty compliments.”

I freeze in uncertainty. My words were meant to be encouraging, but by a tone in her voice it would appear as though that did not come across. “Is sufficient not the appropriate thing to say?”

Iris makes her amused sound. “Relax, Kala, I’m just giving you a hard time.”

I cock my head and am certain I resemble Sorin when he is confused. Perhaps because I am.

“She means she’s messing with you. Joking around. Teasing you,” the human kit Cecily speaks up.

Teasing me ? I glance between the humans and focus on Iris again. She shows me her teeth once more and both my hearts stutter, then beat again. I have never been teased before, expect possibly by my kit. Who else would do such a thing?

“I’m sorry.” Iris takes a small step forward and raises her arm slightly before dropping it again. Had she been about to touch me? “That wasn’t kind of me, since you probably don’t know what teasing is.”

“No, it is fine for you to do this teasing thing with me. I do not mind.”

The one side of her face turns a similar shade as the other, although the darker color appears to be permanent, since it has not changed once.

She is the first human I have seen with skin consisting of two completely different colors.

The others are either all a light color, all a dark one, or somewhere in between.

Was she in battle, back on her planet? Is that how she came to lose her hand?

“Oh, okay, then.” Iris ducks her head and turns it slightly from me so the darkly colored side is hidden.

“I will practice axe throwing with you, if you would like.”

“Yes,” Sorin agrees. “Gogo is the best teacher. You will be as skilled as me in no time, Iris.”

She glances at my kit, and there is that softness in her eyes again.

“Thank you for the vote of confidence.” She shifts her gaze to me.

“I appreciate the offer, but I’m sure you’re busy in your own village or hunting or other things.

Besides, as tempting as it is, my time is probably better spent learning a skill I can actually use to help the village.

We all have to pitch in and something tells me axe throwing—while cool—doesn’t really have any benefits. ”

“You could come hunting with us,” Talek says. “Once you have adequate skills. I am sure Benham would take you with him like he takes us on occasion. We could all join a hunt together.”

For some reason, I am not sure I like the idea of Iris going hunting with Benham. Why? The Tavikhi is mated, and I, along with Sorin, have joined him many times on a hunt when we have come across each other. She glances between all of us with a wrinkle between her furry brow lines.

“You’re actually being serious, aren’t you?”

Now it is Talek who turns a confused look at her.

“Why would I not be? Remi and Abby go hunting with their mates. Cecily and Carter go with me and Benham when he is not training the warriors in the arena or spending time with Maeve and their kit. There is always need for someone to bring back more food for the tribe. The cold seasons have grown colder, and each one brings more cold dust and less creatures.”

“What’s cold dust?” Iris cants her head.

“Snow,” Cecily answers. “Cold season is basically what we call winter and lasts about three months, give or take. The rest of the time, we call warm season, although that’s really a combination of fall, summer, fall.

Kind of warm, hot, and then kind of warm again.

After that, the snow comes. Once it starts, it doesn’t stop. At least until warm season returns.”

Iris blinks. “I see. What do you all do during cold season when it snows?”

“The same thing we do during warm season when it doesn’t,” Carter answers. “We hunt what we can and try not to freeze our asses off.”

“You need not worry. Zander and his people make sure none of their people suffer during cold season. There are many fires going and many furs available to keep warm.” Far more than we have in my village. Cold seasons will only continue to get worse for the Krijese.

The smile Iris bestows on me makes my hearts stutter again. “I guess that does make me feel a little better. Thanks.”

I dip my head. “You are most welcome.”

“Does that mean you will let Gogo teach you?”

She pulls her bottom lip in between those blunt teeth of hers and the silence stretches long enough for me to know she does not have an answer. Or perhaps she does, but does not want to say it.

“You do not have to decide in the moment, if you are not sure. I will not take offense either, if you do not wish to learn.” I will actually be surprised if Iris agrees. “We have been invited to take the evening meal with your tribe. You may take more time to think on it if that is agreeable.”

“I’ll let you know what I decide before you leave, then.”

“Retrieve your blade and let us go to the river to wash before we eat.” I set my hand on Sorin’s shoulder.

“Yes, Gogo.” He runs a few steps before he stops and turns back to us. “Would you sit with us during the evening meal, Iris?”

She glances briefly at me before quickly darting her gaze back to my kit. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“It is not an intrusion,” I tell her.

“Okay, thanks.” Iris swipes her palm on her pants, again in a way that appears unobtrusive. “I’m going to wash up in my tent. I’ll see you at the central fire, I guess.”

“We shall see you there.” I incline my head.

Sorin skips forward and throws his arms around Iris in what Healer Sage calls a hug. He has only ever done this human thing with her. Until now.

“I am glad you will be joining us.”

“Thanks for inviting me.” She strokes his floks, although there is surprise in her gaze as she stares down at the top of his head. “All right, you, don’t keep your dad waiting.”

He releases her and bares his teeth in his not-smile. Then, while I wait, he rushes over to where his axe still lies after Iris’s wild throw and sheaths it at his back like I have taught him. Iris walks past me and glances swiftly in my direction before hurrying along without a word.

Long after she is gone, a sweet, fragrant scent—not fear—remains.