"Um," Summer says. "Should we move?"

"Nah," Liz tells her, never taking her gaze off the hunt. "They won't let it get near us."

She's right. In the next moment, the hunters are racing alongside the treeline and jabbing spears at the enormous legs, herding it carefully away from us. I notice out of my peripheral vision that Gail and the others are taking a few steps back, but I don't move. I'm too fascinated by the hunt. They're so graceful and fast. I'm filled with envy at how free they look, how strong. I want to be like that.

As they race past, the hunters get close enough that I can make out individuals instead of just blue blurs. The one in the lead is unfamiliar to me, his hair long and flowing behind him as he yips and slashes at the big creature's legs. A tall one races on the far side of him, and he's got a wide smile of delight on his face even as he dodges one of the enormous feet. They look like they're having fun. One of the other men skirts wide, moving close to us, and shoots a scowl in our direction, as if he disapproves of how close we are.

I'm not surprised to see that it's Bek. That one always seems to be frowning. But Liz doesn't pay any attention to him, and so I don't move, either. If anything, I stand taller and straighter. We're not doing anything wrong.

A few more people race past, and the creature stumbles, starting to lose its footing with the constant hara.s.sment from the hunters.

"Might wanna turn away if you don't like blood," Liz says, arms crossed as she watches. "This next part's not gonna be pretty."

I don't turn away, though. I want to see what happens.

In the next moment, before anyone can ask, one of the hunters makes a flying leap, knife in hand, and grabs on to one of the creature's tall, spindly legs. He stabs at the bend of it, and then blood arcs through the air, steaming and bright red.

I suck in a breath at the sight, surprised at the brutality of it. The big sa-kohtsk stumbles, falling forward onto one knee, and then the hunters swarm over it. More blood spatters the snow as they attack it with knives and spears, and I watch, horrified and entranced at the same time, as Bek moves to the creature's head and stabs his spear into one glowing eye, and is promptly soaked with blood.

Someone behind me gags.

"Yeah, it's not pretty," Liz says mildly. "But it gets the job done. Once everyone stops puking, we're moving in, so grab your stuff and be ready to move. We have to get in there before the blood freezes because the cooties don't live long in this environment."

We wait while Gail-strong, capable Gail, of all people-finishes puking in the snow, and then Liz herds us forward. The hunters still move over the carca.s.s of the thing, calling out to each other and laughing, the high of the hunt still coursing through their veins. I know how they feel, I think. It's like I've been given a shot of adrenaline just from watching them. I step carefully through the blood-covered snow, keeping close to the others even as I stare in fascination at the big carca.s.s of the creature. It's so huge. Wow. There was nothing this big in the zoo I was kept in for so long, and my memories of elephants on Earth don't compare to this thing in the slightest. The closest thing I can think of is like a humpback whale on stilts. The mental image makes me smile, though it falters when several of the hunters slit the chest open and more blood pours out. Eesh. So much blood.

Gail begins to gag again, and we pause, waiting for her. I notice I'm standing close to one of the long legs, and I feel a twinge of sadness that such a magnificent, albeit weird-looking, creature has to die so I can live. "I'm sorry," I whisper quietly to it, not that it can hear me.

"Grab one side, and I'll get the other," one of the hunters says. "Let us make this quick."

As I watch, the tall, lanky hunter moves next to the quick one, and they grab at the thing's rib cage.

Meanwhile, Bek moves toward our group, a thunderous frown on his hard face. "What is taking so long? Come forward."

"Oh, hold your horses," Liz tells him. "We've got a puker."

"Then-"

Anything else he says is lost as the two hunters pull the ribs apart with a thunderous crack. As they do, the creature's body jerks. I scramble away a few feet, trying to get away from the legs because I don't want to be kicked.

Bek snarls and tackles me.

BEK.

She is running away.

Again.

The small, dirty human with the feisty mind is trying to run again? Anger and frustration explode through me as she backs away a few feet, her big eyes wide with fear. I remember Leezh was full of fear when given her khui, and others fought as well. This one is a runner.

Instinct takes over and I grab her, knocking her to the ground. I keep my grip loose, careful not to hurt her.

She makes a noise then, a little scream of horror. Kicking at me, she scrambles out of my grip. Her foot connects with my jaw, and I nearly bite my tongue off with the force of her blow. I am determined, though; she will not get away.

Mine.

I growl and snag her ankle even as she scuttles backward, and she makes another awful little crying sound. She's thras.h.i.+ng in earnest now, her eyes wild like a trapped dvisti. I know this one. I know she will not stop flailing until she is free, no matter how much she might hurt herself.

So I hold on tighter and use my arm to pin both of hers against her sides. She's thras.h.i.+ng angrily, her feet kicking and hammering against my thighs. If she were any bigger, she would do real damage, I realize with rueful admiration. As it is, the only thing that hurts is my jaw.

"Bek, what the f.u.c.k?" Leezh calls out.

"She was running," I grit out, carrying my squirming burden toward Taushen and Harrec, who are carefully pulling the heart out of the sa-kohtsk's chest. "Give this one a khui first."

"You're scaring her," the human called Chail tells me. "She doesn't like to be touched!"

I ignore her. This one cannot keep running. Not now, when she needs her khui. I grab her chin with my free hand and do my best to block out her whimpers, though I feel like a monster even as I do. "I will hold her still. Harrec, cut her, and Taushen, give her a khui. Do so quickly."

They nod and get to work. Harrec leans in with his knife, giving me a reluctant look before speaking to the small human that even now squirms in my arms as if she will fight until her dying breath. "Forgive me, little one."

She jerks, making more whimpering sounds when his knife cuts into the side of her neck. It is a ceremonial cut, and not deep, but I hate that it must be done, and she is so full of fear. This one is so brave compared to her sisters. I press my chin down atop her head. "Shhh. It will be over soon," I murmur to her, low enough that it is only for her ears. "I will not let them hurt you."

Her squirming slows, her breathing still raspy and quick, but I am pleased when Taushen pulls out a long, gleaming khui. It is a strong one. Good. And I am even more pleased when she goes limp in my arms as it disappears into the wound, the khui's work beginning.

I should set her down on the snow, let her rest. Instead, I cradle her close, protective even as she is unconscious. When she wakes up, I will apologize for my harsh handling of her. Until then, I will guard her close. I tuck her small body against my chest.

Immediately, Chail runs up to me and smacks my arm. "What the f.u.c.k? I told you she doesn't like to be touched and you're manhandling her! Is this how we're all going to be treated?"

I bare my fangs at her. "If you try to run away, yes."

Vaza steps in front of Chail. "Bek, be reasonable-"

I growl at him. He takes the female's side because he wants her in his furs. He is obvious. "I am doing what is best for the female, Vaza, and you know it. If she runs away, we risk losing the khuis, and then we will have to hunt down another."

He nods slowly. "Then at least put her down so the other humans will not be so frightened."

Frightened? Because I am holding the small, dirty one? I gaze down at the female and realize I am clutching her against my chest. Her filthy hair brushes against my face, and the stink of her is eye-wateringly bad. But...the urge to protect her is near overwhelming. She is so fearful that she is not careful with herself, so I must watch out for her. Surely they see that.

But Leezh looks over at her husband and then gestures at me. Raahosh comes forward and puts his arms out. "I will take the girl to Leezh, and she will watch over her. You are frightening the others."

What he says makes sense. It should not matter if I hold her as long as I can stand guard. However, the thought of giving her over to him feels like a punch to the gut. I do not know why I feel so attached. My chest is silent. It is not resonance. What is it, then?

Reluctantly, I hand her over, hating the way her head lolls as he carries her to Leezh. He should be supporting her neck. He should cover her legs with a warm fur so she does not get cold. He should- "Are you going to stand there all afternoon like a stone, or can we give the other humans their khuis?" Harrec asks, voice dry with amus.e.m.e.nt. "I can try to go around you, but you are much larger than them."

I turn and give him a scowl and then stalk away.

One by one, the humans are given their khuis. They immediately fall unconscious, slipping to the snow in the deep slumber that their bodies need to adjust to the change. They were braver than I expected, however. Even the pink-maned one did not cry as the knife was brought to her throat and the small cut made.

We settle blankets around them, make them comfortable under the trees, and wait. Raahosh builds a fire for his mate, and we guard the large carca.s.s from predators that might come into the area. Sa-kohtsk are not good eating, but so much meat will draw something for certain, and we must be ready.

I find myself standing by Taushen, scanning the valley for the loping slink of snow-cats or the wings of a scouting scythe-beak. He stands next to me, spear in hand, and then glances over. "Do you...feel any different?"

"Eh?" I look over at him.

"Resonance." He puts a fist over his heart. "Did you?"

I shake my head. "Nothing. You?"

"Nothing." The disappointment is obvious on his face. "I thought for sure it would happen for me." Taushen sighs heavily, his shoulders slumped. "I remember when the first humans arrived. It seemed that at the sight of them, the others resonated right away. Vektal resonated to Shors.h.i.+e before she even had her khui. Yet I look at these females and I feel no different."

I grunt. He speaks aloud the same worries I have had. "My sister has an idea as to why no one has resonated to them yet." She told me about it last night, and I have been thinking about it ever since.

"Oh? Maylak?" Taushen looks interested. "What does she say?"

I nod. "She thinks that so many resonances happened right away because there were so few females in our tribe, and even fewer kits. We were dying out. With the humans here and new kits born every season, there is less urgency. She thinks that resonance will take longer to happen."

His mouth turns down in a frown. "I hope she is wrong."

I hope she is, too. It seems unfair to think that because others got their mates, I will have nothing. To see human females in front of us and still not resonate, it seems cruel.

I have had a pleasure-mate in the past. I suppose I could take one again. The thought fills me with disgust, though. My mating with Claire burned hot for the first turn of the moon and then quickly changed to ash. It left me hollow inside.

This time, I want the real thing.

Kate is the first of the humans to awaken, her eyes s.h.i.+ning bright blue. She sits up in surprise, then moves to the fire, and then stares at her hands in even more surprise. "I'm not as cold as before."

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner," Leezh says happily. "Don't worry, you'll like the cootie." She pats the snow on the ground. "Come sit next to me while we wait for the others to wake up."

Kate does, and I watch her and her strange, pale mane. She is tall and strong. Healthy. Surely she will be someone's mate? But I feel nothing for her, and my khui remains silent. If I am to resonate, it is not to her. I eye the other hunters and notice they are all watching her with avid stares, hunger in their eyes.

No one steps forward. Kate yawns and smiles at Leezh. "Have anything to eat?"

Rations are shared, and we go back to pacing, watching the humans and waiting for them to rouse. The one with the golden skin-Suh-mer-is the next to awaken. And again, I feel nothing. My chest is silent. So are the others.

I can feel the despair in the air as Chail awakens and no one resonates to her. Vaza is delighted, though, and quickly moves to her side with a gift of his waterskin and some smoked meat. Buh-Brukh-the pink one-is the fourth to awaken, and I have to admit to myself I am glad when my chest remains quiet. She is a weeper.

Only the small, dirty one-Ell-ee-still sleeps. I rub my chest, gazing over at the small pile of furs where she slumbers. Some do not take to their khui. Sometimes the body is not well enough to handle it, and I think of her fragile bones and how thin she is. How hollow her eyes are. What if she does not awaken? The thought is unbearable. She is strong inside, a fighter. It is not fair that her outside should be so delicate.

As she continues to sleep, I find myself watching her instead of the others gathered near the fire. Why does she not wake? Has no one bothered to check on her? What if she is ill? What if she needs the healer even now?

I bite back the growl in my throat and surge forward, storming over to her furs. I must see for myself that she breathes.

"Bek?" Harrec calls. "What is it?"

I ignore him and pull the blankets back, revealing Ell-ee's face.

Her eyes open, a bright, brilliant blue, and she scowls up at me, jerking the blankets out of my hand and wrapping them tightly around her body again. She is...pretending to sleep because she does not want to talk.

I chuckle and rub my chest. Clever little thing. How often have I wished I could walk away from an annoying conversation by the fire? She is wise to feign sleep. I should apologize to her for grabbing her earlier, if she does not like touching. I should let her know that it is not safe to run away.

I should tell her a great many things, but they all fly out of my head, thoughts scattering like startled dirt-beaks, because my khui begins to sing when she narrows her blue eyes at me and frowns, her hand over her own heart.

6.

ELLY.

I knew it.

I knew the moment we were told that our cooties might pick a mate that I'd be trapped, forced to belong to someone again. It doesn't matter that the humans here spout that we'll be free and smile to rea.s.sure us-you always end up forced to rely on someone in the end.

I was praying it wouldn't be the mean one, though.

I've just woken up, my thoughts scattered and confused. I can hear voices and the scent of smoke that tells me there's a fire nearby, so I remain where I am, feigning sleep while I sort through my emotions. I'm not as bone-deep cold any longer, which is strange but nice. There's still a bit of a nip to the weather, but under the blankets, I hardly notice it. I wonder if my skin is as feverishly warm as the blue aliens feel. I mentally examine my body, looking for other physical changes when I realize...I'm wet between my thighs.

Just thinking about it makes my pulse throb right at my groin.

Under the blankets, I furtively cup my s.e.x, worried. I've never felt need before, not like this. As I was barely a teenager when stolen, I missed out on everything that normal girls do-dating, flirting with boys, prom, the works. I spent most of those years in a cage and was paraded as a pet the rest of the time. If I had ever showed any inkling of s.e.xual need, my owners would have either tried to breed me to another slave to produce more pets or taken the task upon themselves. So I made sure never to seem like anything other than a fragile dirt-farm.

I've never even so much as touched myself properly, though I've thought about it a few times. But there's never been enough privacy, and the need hasn't been there. I've been just fine without touching myself.

The need's there now, with a vengeance.

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to get rid of it. All I know is that I ache deep inside, and my nipples are hard, and I feel...restless. Unsettled. Full of hunger for something I can't describe.

At least, I can't describe it until someone walks up to my bed and yanks the furs back, exposing me to the world.

I shouldn't be surprised to see that it's the mean one-Bek. My hands fly to my chest, to cover my fluttering heart as I gasp in shock. He gazes down at me with those slitted, hard eyes, his mouth a firm line that shows no gentleness. I realize a moment later that my heart's not fluttering. It's my brand-new cootie, and it's resonating.

To him.