Bone and Blood Volume I

21 - The Nest, 1927

Torani and Errek approached the nest with two live ones and two corpses. Too much to run back with. A shame. Torani had hoped to use the trip to test Errek's speed and stamina. He still worried whether Errek would keep up with the other hunters in that regard. At least he was handling himself well otherwise.

Now fully ascended, the top of Errek's head reached Torani's shoulders. His jacket was a touch big on him, but it would fit by the time he reached knight. He carried the two corpses as though they weighed nothing. He was strong. Attentive. Eager. Exactly what the nest needed from its newest hunter.

Corralling the lives ones closer, Torani realized he had walked into the tunnel alone. He looked back at the exit. Errek stood outside, staring at the sky. Torani remembered Serana reminiscing about the stars. Somehow, his nest would have a permanent view of them. "Errek, come on."

Errek's gaze darted to Torani then back to the sky. Reluctantly, he ambled in. Demeko would have been unimpressed. Hopefully, Errek would be granted the same leniency as Kordi. If not, Torani would have to push him harder to stay in place.

Errek stopped a half step behind Torani. Before Torani could ask why, he heard running bootsteps. Serana skidded to a halt before them. Through grit teeth, "Where in the hell have you been!?"

"Out. Hunting. You knew that."

"For three nights!? Forget it. Who cares? You have no idea how much trouble you're in!"

"I mean... I think I have an idea."

"No. You don't." The last word rumbled out with a growl. Her wild eyes were a reflection of the queen's wrath.

Torani backed into Errek. Perhaps he had miscalculated how angry Azehralia would be. He was still certain he could talk his way out it though. Maybe this would be a good lesson for Errek. It would demonstrate why it was so important that—

Serana snatched the food from Torani. "Get in there!"

"Okay, I'm going." Torani side stepped around her.

"You too, Rek!"

Before the hunter could correct her, Torani cut in. "H-he's Errek now. Can't you tell?"

"MOVE IT!"

Torani quick walked down the tunnel with Serana on his heels. Errek danced to his side. "What's going on? Why are we in trouble? I thought going out was okay, because you—"

"You're not in trouble. I'm in trouble. You only did—"

Serana snapped, "Don't assume the queen will see it that way!"

"He did what I asked!"

"I'm the wrong person to discuss that with."

Torani swallowed an insult. He had offended the queen. Serana was a knight. She had no choice but to channel Azehralia's outrage. Of course that made her sound like Rotero.

A panicked whisper from Errek, "What are you going to say to the queen?"

"I'm going to tell her why I had to do it."

A groan for Serana. "Torani, just beg for forgiveness. You're going to get killed otherwise!"

"Rana, I know what I'm doing. Trust me."

"No. You don't."

As they entered the main cavern, Demeko and Rotero seized Torani. Rotero? Out and about without the—? Azehralia sat on a rock by the sconce.

Torani crumpled into himself. Had she been there, night after night, awaiting his return? Not good. Even at this distance, her pheromones projected a terrifying aura. However, they did not mask her hunched shoulders. Her gaunt frame. The deep bags under her eyes.