Page 13 of The Study of Storms and Magic
“No blood, no blood,” Annika said.
“Huh?” She couldn’t focus. The world swirled around her.
Annika shook her shoulder. “No blood on their maws or paws, Zo! There’s still hope.”
Blinking, Zohav cleared her vision. The pack had taken the meat and were heading away.
The tent’s flap opened, and Zethan stepped out. “Thank fate. We thought we were going to be breakfast.”
ZETHAN
Zohav’s flying hug knocked him down. Good thing there was about a foot of fresh snow to soften the landing. She squeezed him tight, and he muttered, “It’s all right, we’re fine, it’s okay,” over and over until she stopped shaking.
When she pulled away, he expected her to yell at him for scaring her, but she wiped her eyes and dove for Heli who squeaked in surprise as she was tackled. By this time, the rest of the group had caught up.
Endre pulled Zethan from the snow. “Glad to see you in one piece.”
“That makes two of us.” He brushed flakes from his hair.
“What happened?” Annika asked.
He told them about the storm and taking shelter in the tent. “I was lying there shivering uncontrollably, but I just couldn’t generate enough heat for the both of us. I started drifting off to sleep, which I knew was bad, but I just couldn’t stay awake.”
Remembering the ice seeping into his skin, Zethan rubbed his arms. “I woke cocooned in warmth, surrounded by a soft white blanket. And I just knew I’d either died and went to the sky, or I was dreaming. Turns out I was in a nightmare.”
Zethan glanced at Heli. “Then Heli hissed at me to stop moving and I realized my blankets were juvenile snow cats. I froze for entirely another reason.”
“Imagine my surprise,” Heli said wryly. “I figured we were goners. Nothing like having death stare at you in the face to figure out a few things in your life.” She looked at Zohav, who stood right next to her.
“While I’m happy you both survived, do you know why they didn’t eat you?” Annika asked.
He considered the question. The storm had ended, and the cats were probably out hunting for food. Due to his exhaustion, he hadn’t tied the tent’s flaps. Not that it mattered, the fabric was no match for their sharp claws. They had been an easy meal. He scanned the camp site. Snow cat tracks ringed the tent and a thin layer of snow covered the storm orbs.
“Perhaps they sensed the power in the orbs and didn’t want to break them,” he speculated.
“But they came inside the tent,” Heli said. “They could have dragged us out without disturbing the orbs.”
“Only their juveniles were inside,” Zohav said. “Perhaps they wanted them to be warm.”
Zethan shook his head. “They all huddle together to keep warm.”
“In their dens.” Zo swept her hand out. “Maybe they were too far from home.”
“Then why weren’t they all piled inside the tent?” Was being crushed by a pack of snow cats better or worse than being eaten alive? Better.
“Are they intelligent enough to know that you and Heli calm the storms?” Endre asked. “Perhaps this was their way of thanking you.”
“Does it really matter why?” Elley asked. “Let’s just celebrate over a hot meal!”
That was something everyone could agree on. They returned to the house, much to Uncle Karter and Aunt Larrisa’s relief.
The rest of the storm season was free of drama. In fact, it was too smooth for Zethan’s taste. He grew bored and actually worked on some of his Keep assignments—don’t tell Zo! Not that she was paying much attention to him. Nothing like a near death experience to rearrange a person’s priorities. It only took a blizzard to melt the ice around Zohav’s heart.
When they filled their quota of orbs, it was time to return to Sitia. The night before they left, they feasted on all their favorite Ixian dishes and Aunt Larrisa packed them food for the trip.
After they said goodbye and headed south, Zethan groaned and patted his stomach. “I think I gained ten pounds.”
“Is that why the wagon feels heavier?” Zo teased. She sat next to him on the bench seat, holding the reins.
