Page 40 of Marks of Rebellion

I take a deep breath, and he motions for me to sit on one of the stumps. I take a bite and groan. When I finish chewing, I say, "Syrup never tasted so good."

"Save some for your meat. It'll add a nice flavor." Ryker smirks and points to Dirk's stick.

"That looks disgusting," Zoe spouts.

"It's a great protein. Even divas need protein." Dirk scowls.

Zoe rolls her eyes. "I'm not eating that."

"But what is it?" I ask.

"Jungle rat," Ryker says.

"So gross," Zoe complains.

"How do you know?" Dirk replies.

"Fourteen months with the cartel and lots of uncooked, nasty things thrown down the hole."

"I just put my best seasoning on this." Dirk claims, insulted.

Zoe snorts.

Andre quietly says to Naomi, "It's protein. Make sure you get some."

She nods. "Okay."

When Dirk gets done, he dices it up with his knife and portions it into twelve.

"Where's Hunter?" Andre asks.

I shift on the stump and look at the dirt.

Dirk says, "I asked him to go check my traps while I cooked."

"Okay. Who wants to go into town and pick up supplies for the ladies?"

"I'm in," Dirk volunteers.

"Me, too," Axel says.

"Whoa! This is hot!" Emilia's face turns bright red.

Malin hands her water. "Dip it in the syrup. It'll counteract some of the spices."

Penelope clears her throat. "Hand me water, too, please."

"Little easier on the spices next time might be good," Malin says to Dirk.

"It's not that hot."

"I don't think it's hot, either," Zoe says.

"See! Even the diva is good with it."

Zoe glares at him.

Since I don't know where I'm going or when I'll eat next, I roll all of Dirk's rat in syrup, fold it in my pancake, and dip the carb in more sugar.