Page 161 of Phoenix's Fire

"And we're running out of time," he said softly. "I can't get us out because Gideon refused to share the code for the door. I need that to prevent the alarm from going off. Once I have it, I can slip you out,but..."

So I wrapped my fingers around his hand, making his words fade away. "You'll protect me."

"Don't play those womanly games," he grumbled.

"I'm not," I promised. "You, Tobias, are my friend. You will protect me in ways only a man can. I will protect you in ways only a woman can. Together, we will manage, right? If Ayla knows you're coming, then she'll make sure you won't get killed."

"My partner might kill me," he reminded me. "If I'm caught doing anything suspicious, the man assigned to hunt with me will shoot me as easily as he would a Dragon."

"Devil's buttcheeks," I cursed.

Which made his head snap over. "What was that?"

"The most foul thing I can imagine," I explained - then paused. "So you shoot him first?"

"If my partners never make it back..." he warned.

"Like your last one?" I asked. "Like most of the hunters? I think the odds are on your side in this."

Which made his brow crease. "Huh. That's a good point."

"So you shoot your partner if you have to," I decided. "Do not risk him shooting you, do you hear me?"

He paused. Slowly, he looked at where my hand was still wrapped around his. I felt his fingers tighten, then he turned a little more to examine my face.

"That would be a sin."

"All of this should be a sin," I said. "None of this feels holy, or loving, or righteous." I bit my lips and pulled in a breath. "Before Ayla left, I told her this feels like Hell. We're underground, we're trapped, we're forced to pay for our sins over and over with nothing at all to be happy for, and there's no end in sight. What is that, if not the Pit? This, Tobias, isn't a reward for God's children. It's a punishment, and if you have to commit a few more sins to free us both from it, then I think God would understand."

"Yeah," he agreed, the word so soft. "But you need to eat something, Callah. While there's still food, eat what you can. We can talk about this while you change my bandage."

But I got the impression he didn't want to kill - neither Dragons nor his partner. Oddly, that made me like the man a little more.

Fifty

Ayla

The day after the battle, I went to check on Meri. Holly went with me. Sadly, that was why I didn't stay long, because it seemed my friend was scared of her. Granted, that made sense. It wasn't like we'd seen any animals growing up. Worse, we'd been taught the beasts of the world would kill us. Still, I made sure Meri knew the important things: Callah was safe and Tobias was helping her.

But while Meri was scared of my dog, Tamin adored her. Evidently, he was now old enough to start school, which was why he hadn't been over as much, but Saveah warned me that he kept asking to come see her. She told me I could say no, and I was allowed to set something called "boundaries" with him. I didn't really understand what she meant, but I assured her it was okay.

Because the truth was, I loved my dog. I wanted to brag about her and show her off to everyone. Holly was absolutely amazing, and somehow so completely adorable at the same time. Yes, I knew she was a weapon, but Kanik explained she was so much more than that. She was allowed to be a friend, a confidant, an assistant,anda weapon.

In other words, dogs were often used as an extension of people. That was why the trained ones were so expensive, but having a dog also meant taking care of her. Everyone acted like that would be hard, but it really wasn't. Mostly, I just had to make sure she had food, play time, and was let outside to "potty," as the guys called it. When I'd lived in the compound, I'd had to do all of that for the men, and they didn't appreciate it nearly as much as Holly did.

And since Meri needed meat without venom, I had to hunt anyway. Zasen started taking me out into the woods every evening, saying that because the venom-coated arrows had worked so well, I needed more practice with the bow.Then he showed me why Reapers were known for their dogs. Apparently Holly could help with hunting as well, because dogs could track game by scent. She could catch smaller things like rabbits and squirrels, which meant I could use that as a way to work with her on the list of commands I'd been given.

Then there was the best part: curling up with her every night. Yes, Holly slept in bed with me. She also really liked to be hugged, and she was wonderfully warm. She may have hogged a lot of space on the mattress, but the truth was I didn't mind.

By the first weekend after the battle, I was starting to settle into my new routine when Holly's ears perked forward and she began to rumble deep in her throat. That was a warning noise! Confused, I followed her gaze to the front door just as someone rapped at it.

"Ayla, get that!" Rymar bellowed from upstairs.

"Stay," I told my dog even as I headed to the door, unsure what would be on the other side.

Cracking it open, I found Tamin holding up a very frayed-looking stuffed monster-doll. Behind him was Saveah with Taris on her hip. Yet the moment the door opened, the growling stopped.

"I have a present!" Tamin announced before pushing the door wider and marching right into the house.

---