"She is not," Saveah said. "Ayla is going to play watchman tonight, Tamin. That's why she has her bow. Now, go find the toys you want and put them in the closet, okay?"
"Okay!"
He ran off and Saveah chuckled. "It's easier if they think it's a game," she explained. "He still doesn't really understand what happened to his father. Death is something he can't quite grasp as permanent yet."
"I'm sorry," I told her.
She shrugged sadly. "I am too, but it's not your fault. Tasult and I couldn't afford a big enough house unless it was close to the south entrance, and we knew we'd need space for the babies. I wanted to have four, you see."
"You're still young," I assured her.
"And I will never find a love like him again," she countered just as Tamin returned.
"Mama! I got my bear for Taris, and papa for me."
"More," Saveah told him. "You're going to be playing hide for a while. Get some games too, sweetie."
"Okay!"
It took three tries before Tamin had finally filled their little nook with enough to keep both him and his little sister entertained. Saveah had packed a large bag with diapers, snacks, and other supplies for the kids. And when the sun began to set, she ushered her babies in, having me close and secure the door behind them. Not lock. Just make sure it was properly in place so no one would notice the bookshelf might lead to more.
Outside, the sky was starting to change colors. Right now, it was mostly orange, with hints of pinks just starting. Since I was at Saveah's, the sunset was behind us, which meant the sky over the trees was getting darker, and quickly.
Movement made me suck in a breath. I couldn't be sure, not at first, but there were shadows in the forest behind Zasen's house. Along the whole edge over there. The light was still bright outside, which made it hard to be positive of what I was seeing, but it was as if the darkness was rolling.
Then they began pouring out. In groups of four, men dressed in black and holding guns slid down the steep hill before setting their weapons to their shoulders and moving out in formation. Each group seemed to go in a different direction, and there were many more groups behind them.
This was more than the usual twenty-five hunters Mr. Cassidy had said they sent out. There had to be almost fifty! Or maybe that was my panic rising? It just looked like so many!
I rushed back to the counter for my bow and quiver, then shifted to the side of the window, refusing to stand in front of the glass where they could see me - but I kept watch. If anyone came this way, I would kill them. If they tried to enter the house, I would kill them. If I had any excuse, I would make sure these assholes died.
Because Kanik was right. That word did feel good, even just thinking it. It felt stronger than anything else I had, like it proved how evil they were. Yet before my eyes, the hunters were spreading out, starting their patrols as they looked for "lizards" in a section of town that was locked down tight.
"Start breaking in doors!" someone yelled in English.
And then the first arrow flew. The shot was bad, whizzing past a man to impact harmlessly in the dirt. It still gave away the Dragon's position. The hunter turned, aiming down his weapon, and a Dragon roared.
From where I was standing, I could barely see him, but he was brown. Dark brown, like Kanik. That made the sound of the pop even louder as the first shot rang out. The Dragon dropped, landing face-first in the street, and more gunshots began going off.
"Kill them all!" was screamed in English.
And in Vestrian, "Hold your positions! Stay in cover!"
Arrows began to fly, but the man in the street got an arm under himself, trying to lift himself up or crawl. I couldn't be sure, but it meant he wasn't dead. Yet he could still be dying. The loincloth was the same color as his skin, just like Kanik's. The markings on his back were impossible to make out from this angle. He looked smaller. Maybe younger? But did I really want to just stand here at the window and watch?
"Saveah?" I said, hurrying up the hall. "Saveah!"
From the other side of the bookshelf, she replied. "What?"
"I think Kanik's down in the street. I have to go help. I'm bolting the front door, but do not come out!"
"Ayla...." She paused for a long moment. Then, "Go. Just go! Don't let them die!"
So I ran. The front door was already locked, but I had to double-check. Once I knew every bolt, chain, and latch possible was secure, I pulled my quiver over my shoulder and ran through the house, aiming for the door at the back. There, I paused long enough to look out the small window, making sure no Moles were visible, and then I slipped out.
I couldn't lock it behind me. I didn't know how. Still, they were hidden, so it had to be okay. Maybe the Moles would think the house was deserted?
Gunshots were going off all around me. Some were close. Others were distant. Now that I was outside, I could hear the bell in the middle of town ringing, but that wouldn't change anything.
I had to get to the man. I needed to save Kanik! Nocking an arrow to the string, I readied my bow and made my way around the house, trying to both hurry and move as quietly as possible. Not easy on the grass under my feet.
And then a pair of men rushed around the corner. Hunters! Their black leather armor and guns made it clear these men were not my allies. Their eyes were on the street, which gave me just enough time to aim, sending an arrow toward the closest man's chest - but that wasn't where I hit.
The point pierced the side of the man's throat, spraying blood. He gasped, the sound almost a gurgle, which made the other man spin. The first collapsed, but the second man saw me - and I knew him.
"Jamison?" I asked, scrambling for another arrow.
His eyes narrowed. "Ayla Ross?"
"You can't come here anymore," I told him. "These are people, Jamison, not lizards."
"And we need to eat!" he snapped.
I could see his hands shifting on the gun. I was not-so-subtly putting an arrow onto the string. The pair of us were no more than fifteen feet apart, and my heart began to slow. A strange calm took over, and it was as if the panic that was pushing me shifted to something bigger.
"No," I told him. "Thou shall not kill. Thou shall not steal. Thou shall not covet!"
"This," he said, his voice verging on a growl, "is called surviving, Miss Ross."
