Feral Magic

do?”
“Like you said, they’re not strong enough to fight.”
“But we are. We could offer our services in exchange for their protection. Safety in numbers and all that. Even if I teach them, no one can learn everything overnight.” She sighed. “They all hesitated today. It’s hard to admit, but they’re not cut out for this.”
“Are any of us? I will protect them. We’ll build bigger walls, set stronger traps, fortify ourselves until even those battling on the frontlines wouldn’t dare mess with us.”
“Sounds like you’re going to need a lot of help.”
“Yours is all I need. If you’re willing to stick around.”
Vixin locked eyes with him. Sadness lingered there, so deep it almost swallowed her whole. “I’m not going anywhere.”
Zak sat beside her and held his arm up. “Come here, and don’t worry, I don’t exactly have the energy to deal with a broken arm right now.”
Vixin gave him a small smile and curled her body against his, resting her head on his chest. She listened to his heart for a long while, watching the flames shift to embers. She gazed into those red coals until her eyes grew heavy and her body fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
~~~
Vixin examined their handy work from outside Zak’s hut. A barrier of trees two-foot high encircled their camp now. Trees that would contain traps for their enemies once they were fully grown.
She shouldered a pack. By the time her and Zak returned, the trees would likely be close to ten feet tall. That was her hope at least. The sooner they got a proper barrier in place, the sooner they could put the bulk of their worries behind them.
Vixin jumped when she turned to find Sam staring at her from the doorway. “I couldn’t talk him out of it,” he took several steps toward her, “and I doubt I’ll be able to talk you out of it either, so,” he stopped mere inches from her and Vixin tried not to bristle. “Promise me something. Promise you’ll take care of him and if things get out of hand, that you won’t leave him behind.”
Her lips parted. “What makes you think I’d ever abandon him?”
Sam angled his body to the side, rubbing at the back of his neck. “You just don’t—you’re kind of a hardass and if he puts himself in a situation that seems hopeless.”
“You’re afraid I’d leave him.” Vixin tried to hide her disappointment. “Despite what you may believe, I’d never abandon Zak.”
“And the rest of us?”
She tilted her head and attempted a playful smile. “No promises.”
“I still don’t agree with you two going alone.”
“We told you—”
“Yeah, yeah, it’ll be easier to sneak in, I get it.”
“We’ve done it before.”
“And gotten caught,” he reminded her. Sam took a breath. “Do you have everything you need?”
“Hey Vixin, are you—” Zak paused just inside the doorway. His gaze flickered between her and Sam and something like surprise flashed through his eyes. “Are you ready?”
She patted her bag, glanced at Sam and said. “I think I got it covered.” Then slid past Zak and into the evening.

Chapter Ten
Vixin and Zak walked for several hours, trekking across the meadow, past small clusters of trees, and finally into a thickly wooded area. The two who’d survived the scouting mission had reported a civilization beyond the trees. A place where they just might be able to tackle one last job.
Zak was unusually quiet, his gaze diverting from hers whenever she looked his way. She figured he’d just been thinking of the two young men who’d lost their lives.
With nightfall, they set up camp and Vixin fanned her magic out to set up a perimeter.
“You did it again, didn’t you?”
Vixin inclined her head. “Did what?”
“Set up a barrier. Around us.”
“Of course.”
“I could learn,” he offered, “So you wouldn’t have to do it every night.”
“You’d exhaust yourself trying.”
Silence encompassed them again. “How long have you and Sam been talking?”
“Jealous?” Zak opened his mouth and closed it again and Vixin burst out laughing. “Is that why you’ve been so quiet?”
“I just don’t want to push if—”
“He was worried about you.” Vixin folded her arms behind her head. “Asked me to keep an eye out is all.”
“So you two?”
She huffed, though still found him amusing. “I’ve never been involved with anyone.”
“Ever?”
Vixin’s face grew warm as she realized what she’d said. “I already told you I didn’t have friends, what makes you think I’d have a boyfriend?”
“Right, I forgot, you like learning to kick ass and there’s no time for anything else.”
Vixin glared at him. “Not everyone needs people to define their worth. Some of us are happy being our introverted little selves surrounded by books and music.”
“Music?”
“Contrary to what you might believe, I don’t spend all my time training.”
Zak scooted closer, the brightness to his smile returning. She vaguely wondered how hurt he would have been if she had chosen Sam.
“Do you play?”
“Occasionally.”
He cocked his head, “Are you going to tell me what?”
She sighed. “Since you’ll likely pester me until I do, piano. Since I was four.”
“And you’ve never been with a guy?”
“Not sure how that relates to music.”
“Just curious.”
She gave him a devilish grin. “I can still break your arm.”
“Trust me, I know.”
“Your turn, you ever been with a girl?”
Color rose to Zak’s cheeks and he averted his gaze. “Once.”
“Someone waiting for you back home?”
He shook his head. “Nothing like that. It was a few years ago.”
“And?”
“I was fifteen. We were stupid and after spending an entire month afraid she was pregnant; she broke it off.”
“Did you like her?”
“Not enough for that level of commitment. I wouldn’t have abandoned her, but I don’t think either