Page 39 of Skinwalker's Bane
The next day she had gone back to the same spot at the same time, wondering if he would be there again. He was. This time, he had more food, including hot chocolate, although on that day she hadn’t known what it was called. She had found out later. All she had known was that it was delicious and her belly had cramped almost painfully at the touch of hot food.
He returned. Not every day. He didn’t try to talk to her, or touch her, or she would have never gone back. Her instincts had been very sharp even then.
Gradually, he spoke to her. Nothing threatening. Nothing that demanded anything of her. Small things. About a story he had seen. The weather in the Palatine—she hadn’t known what the Palatine was then, either. Other things. Little things. Until one day he had suggested that she go with him to his house, for more food.
Devin had backed up, her heart racing. She shook her head.
“There are other people there, little one,” he assured her. “Just like you. Hungry, lonely…although in my house, they’re together and they’re not hungry or lonely anymore. You can be one of them.”
She shook her head again. The idea of sharing food with others was frightening. There was so little of it. The idea of going with him was even more fearful. She backed up until she was far enough away to risk turning away from him and running.
The Man had not come back after that. For the next few days, Devin had watched from a hidden vantage point the place where she had always met him. He never returned.
She had understood in a basic way that her refusal to go with him had defeated whatever his ultimate plan had been. He had been offering the food only to make her pliant and willing to go with him. By refusing, she had foiled his plans…and she had also lost any future food he might give her.
Shortly after that, though, she had been discovered and forcibly taken away from the only home she remembered and her life had changed. She forgot about the Man and his food…until now.
Devin realized her skin was damp under her fingertips. She was sweating with the effects of the memories. She hadn’t thought of The Man for years and years. Not in this sharp, clear way that was almost like reliving the memories. Her heart was pounding sickly and her breath was unsteady.
Had The Man been a Caver? Had he thought her to be a suitable recruit to their cause? It fit with what Adam had just told her about the Cavers adopting strays.
At the time she had figured The Man was just another friend who had left her alone, as her parents and so many others had over the years. She had believed that until just now.
Devin trembled, certain now that The Man had been a Caver. If she had gone with him that day, would she now be a dedicated, mindless Caver, beating up people like Adam because she believed they were the root cause of all her unhappiness?
Weakly, she forced herself over to the printer and programmed in breakfast for the two of them—a big one. She needed it.
Chapter Ten
When the meal was ready, Devin put Adam’s on a tray and took it in to him. She ate hers on the table in the kitchen. She didn’t want him to see her face while she dealt with the unsavory memories. His gaze was too sharp.
When she went back to collect the tray, he was asleep again.
A few hours later, four people arrived at the front door, one of them a toddler with big eyes and few teeth, who sat in the arms of the shorter, extremely good-looking man.
The tallest of the three adults had a shock of pale blond hair and a pointed beard. “I’m Gelin Merritt,” he told her. “Adam is my crew boss. We heard…” He waved toward the others. “My partners,” he said. “Evan, Liya and Evangeliya.” He touched the child’s cheek tenderly.
“All of you are partners?” Devin said, stunned. “I’m sorry, it’s just…”
They were all smiling.
“Actually, this isn’t all of them,” Gelin said frankly. “Anar is working. I think you’ve met him already.”
“Anar Bader, the doctor?”
“That’s him,” Evan said. “Sexy eyes and a crass bedside manner.” His eyes danced.
“Can we see Adam?” the woman asked. She wore a simple dress that looked very expensive, despite the simplicity. It was white and fit perfectly. Devin had learned just how complicated proper fit could be, trying to deal with Liya Cassel print files, with their dozens of settings and refinements.
The woman was studying Devin, too. She met Devin’s gaze and smiled.
Self-consciously, Devin said, “He was asleep, last I checked, although he should take some more pain killers, anyway.” She moved aside. “Come in. I’ll show you where he is.”
She led them to the bedroom, but didn’t go in with them. It felt as if she would be imposing, if she did. These were clearly close friends of Adam’s. They had taken time off and trekked to the Palatine with a small child in their arms, just to see him.
The woman emerged a while later, carrying the empty water glass. “Can I get some more water for Adam?”
Devin got to her feet.
