Bone and Blood Volume I

28 - The Nest, 1927

Errek and Kordi arrived at the nest near sunrise. She was annoyed the trip took so long, but nothing could be done about it. He needed to memorize the landmarks along their path. That took time.

At least that was what he told her. In truth, his bad leg ached if he ran while carrying his victim. Slowing down to "look for landmarks" was the only way he could make the journey.

Frustrated or not, at least Kordi seemed to be in better spirits. She joked and jeered as if the conversation about instinct and orders had never happened. Errek let her win the race to entrance tunnel. It allowed him a final look at the sky. At the outside world's boundless glory. The infinite. How he loathed their suffocating, cramped nest.

"Errek, what are you doing?" She peeked out of the tunnel. Did she feel the same way about returning home?

He doubted it. "Nothing." Dejectedly, he trailed in after her.

Serana's approving whistle welcomed them into the main chamber. "You each have one? I wasn't expecting that. Your first official hunt was successful then!" She thumped Errek on the back.

Kordi cut in before Errek could answer. "Of course it was! I was there."

"Our rising prince is always modest." Serana ruffled Kordi's hair. The hunter laughed and danced away before darting off to meet Demeko.

Errek hesitated. Whispered, "Thank you. For the other night. You were right though. No point in talking to Entorani right now. He's not himself."

A conflicted smile twitched onto Serana's face. "Get going. Like a good hunter."

He nodded and moved on.

Meanwhile, Demeko stuffed Kordi's offering into the cage. Closing the door, he turned to her and touched her neck. Her eyes fluttered shut. When he released her, she stumbled back with a giggle. Her expression distant and dreamy.

Errek swallowed as Demeko took the second victim. Soon, it would be Errek's turn to get pulsed. He fidgeted with his belt loops. The emotional basis for these so-called "reward" pulses matched what they used to sedate the food. Had anyone considered what that meant? That royals placated the family with the same feelings hunters weaponized. There was no difference between those acts!

The last cage lock snapped shut. Demeko turned to Errek with his hand raised. Errek ducked and stepped back. Demeko's brow furrowed.

Kordi appeared at Errek's side. "He's a shy one." She shoved him. "Go on. Demeko only bites if you deserve it."

Errek's words spilled out: "I don't feel right about this."

Demeko retracted his hand. "Do you believe you haven't earned it?"

"No. It's not that." Come on. Come up with a good excuse. There had to be one! "A good hunter is always aware. Watching. Focused. Reward pulses interfere with that."

"On the hunt, you're correct. Awareness is everything. However, you're with the family now. It's all right to be distracted for a moment." Demeko raised his hand again. Errek leaned away. "It makes no difference whether you accept it or not. But it would be atypical of a hunter to refuse."

In other words, a good hunter would take it. Did Errek really need Demeko's mentorship? Yeah... He did. He sighed. Stepped forward.

"I thought so." Demeko placed his hand on Errek's neck.

This rush was nothing like Kordi's puny zap. The word "opium" came and left Errek's mind. Moaning, he grabbed Demeko's wrist. Pushed his hand harder against his skin. Losing contact. Losing balance. Crumpling to the floor.