Page 83 of Scarred

“Excuse me, Mama,” Julian pulled at her mother’s arm. “I need to help them now before something happens.”

“Amma, I know we have a lot to talk about, but do you mind if we–” Mia asked.

Amma interrupted, “I don’t mind at all. We have all the time in the world to talk after things settle down. I want to make sure Jabari and Kofi are safe and accepted before I rest.”

“Is there a way of healing them without my family being in danger?” Ni’em asked.

“They’re not in danger,” Amma promised the aggravated male.

“And honey, have you forgotten what Julian did for you on that battlefield?” Mia asked. “What if I hadn’t allowed her to follow her magic and save you?”

“I know you sacrificed a lot for me,” Ni’em said. “But now it is my job to make sure you and our calves stay safe.”

“And that is the only reason I am willing to allow Julian near those males,” Mia said. “You and your family will be there at our backs. We are the safest females in the village.”

“Brother,” Suni said as he stood. “I will be with you to protect our females. I am sure our sire will join us if we ask. Nothing can get through us to them.”

“Papa,” Julian stomped her foot. “Now.”

“Julian.” Ni’em squatted and gently gripped the young girl’s shoulder. “Remember, it is my job to make sure you are safe. There is no reason for you to be disrespectful.”

“I’m sorry, Papa.” The little girl hung her head. “It’s like a string is pulling me. I didn’t mean to yell at you.”

“Next time, try explaining without yelling.” Ni’em said. He stood, picked Julian up, and placed her on his shoulders. “Brother, how about we go and clean up the mess you started?”

“I did not get stabbed in the back twice,” Suni teased. “Maybe you are the one with the mess. I simply brought in new warriors who are going to fight to keep our families safe.”

“I will be joining you,” Nora announced. She stood and grabbed a spear that was hanging by the door. “Your sire will already be waiting.”

“You are a warrior too?” Amma asked.

“I have fought my share of battles,” Nora answered. “I am old now and leave the fighting to the youngsters, but I can help protect all of you.”

As everyone strapped on weapons and Mia tried to clean Julian up a little, Amma took a second to admire her new family. They hadn’t asked too many questions when she asked for help, and they were willing to back her against their chief. As more of her cousins and sisters were found, Amma didn’t doubt that loyalty would become stronger than anything on Earth. Nora took point when they left the house. Mia, Julian, and Ni’em were behind her and Suni and Amma brought up the rear.

Oumi stood with Jabari and Kofi, his hand resting on the hilt of the sword on his back. The two brothers had been stripped of their weapons and knelt on the hard ground. Their pronounced deformities were in stark contrast to the warriors surrounding them. The whispers coming from the gathered crowd made the small hairs on the back of Amma’s neck stand on end.

Behind Jabari and Kofi, Kellan sat on a raised dais with three older males. When he saw them, Kellan stood and smiled. “Suni, thank you for coming so quickly. I was beginning to wonder if you had, perhaps, forgotten.”

“No, Chief.” Suni stepped forward to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with his brother. “My priority was making sure my mate had not been harmed during our travels. I also thought it would be a good idea to have Amma and Mia meet before we came here. It had been solars since they had seen each other, and my mate needed to ask her cousin for a favor.”

“It is my pleasure to have three witches living in our village,” Kellan said. “I understand the importance of family. Mia, Amma has informed me that you can help get information from the warriors about their intent.”

“As I have done for many, I can read their cards,” Mia said. “This will only allow me to interpret what they are thinking at the moment. My daughter, on the other hand, has a strong pull to heal the warriors.”

Kellan frowned. “I have seen what happens to your daughter when she heals. We will need her abilities if something happens with the warriors.”

“I thank you for your concern.” Mia half-smiled. “I can assure you Julian will be just fine.”

“Then I will allow this,” Kellan said, and sat.

Amma wondered what had the chief acting like an ass. She doubted it was his normal personality, because Amma knew Suni would not follow such a male. Later, she decided, she would have a long talk with Suni, and they would have to choose whether to stay or not. There was no way she would live in a village run by a male who treated those under him as unimportant.

“Amma, can you come here and explain to the warriors what we are about to do?” Mia asked.

“Sorry, my mind was elsewhere,” Amma said. She joined her cousin and stood in front of the two warriors. “Jabari and Kofi, my little cousin wants to try to heal you. I cannot work out what took your voices, but she may be able to. Would you allow her to heal you?” Both brothers nodded. “Good. I have faith everything will work out.”

“They will be fine,” Suni said. He stood so closely that his body heat warmed her back. “They are warriors.”

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