Page 187 of Scavenger's Oath

Noah’s climbing up the fence after Skye now, sticking close.

He’s a sweet kid—mild, polite, all wide eyes and stutteringcompliments. But I still don’t like the way he follows her around. He’s six now. And he already knows to bring her the best berries and share his toys without being asked.

“Too close,” I murmur.

Zane’s eyes narrow. “You seein’ this too?”

“They’re just playing,” Myles shrugs.

Zane’s jaw twitches. “We’re going to have to teach her hand-to-hand combat.”

“Already started,” I say. “She punched Myles in the balls last week.”

“She missed,” Myles defends. “Barely.”

Zane nods with full seriousness. “We’ll work on precision.”

We all fall quiet for a moment, just watching. Ivy’s still under the tree, smiling faintly, one hand resting on her belly as she tracks them with her eyes. Our girl climbs onto the fence, one leg already slinging over.

“Skye!” Ivy calls. “Don’t climb any higher.”

She freezes. Then hops down.

“She listened to Ivy,” Myles points out in disbelief.

I nod. “Told you.” But I’m still watching Noah.

And if that boy ever tries to kiss her, he’ll find himself at the bottom of the well with a smile carved into his face.

Zane mutters under his breath. “We’re going to have to kill him one day, aren’t we?”

Myles claps his hands once. “Only if he deserves it.”

The End.