Winter Prey

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

It dumped what was left of the fresh kill from the lair on the lakeshore and stared at the lights and warmth inside the cabin at the top of the stairs. She was in there with the one called Caleb. It could smell them both.

Eons ago, It would have been welcomed by Her ancestors. Eons ago such light and warmth were a comforting part of existence, a memory while on the trail. A memory that brought It home each time. A memory that fostered the resulting choice between the two paths that had led down through time to this existence.

One path tracked back to another woman, the one who suffered so much pain from Its actions. Had It known, would death have been easier to accept before It gave in to the desire for survival? It could not change the past, though, only endure the consequences.

The other path led backwards in time, to another Midé - the enemy who secretly sought the woman for his own.

Keen eyesight caught the flicker of movement inside the cabin. At the same instant the man appeared at the window, It flashed away in movement too swift to be discerned by humans. Strength for this new hunt was returning quickly, powers fueled partly by what It left behind.

It hid again in the copse of pines, close enough to see if the man came out of the cabin. Close enough to sense. Close enough for contact, if desired.

Awareness and thought also seemed sharper this time, reasoning more clever. It knew why the kill, made by someone unknown, had to be left there rather than remain hidden in the lair. It continued to allow these out-of-practice thinking skills to increase. Should this truly be the last hunt, a few things still remained unfinished.

Yet...It frowned. How could It know for sure if this would be the final hunt? Last season, It had made another attempt, but taken defeat without a struggle, allowed the flame of hope to die a quick death. That season, once again, It had continued to follow only the one path.

This season, with the new vigor that appeared to have come from the fresh kill It had not had to use its own energy for, both paths could be pursued without harm or lack of focus to either. Better not to let the power abate too much, though. Better to keep fueling the muscles, tendons, and abilities, by feeding them with consistency. Better not to allow too long a period in between.

First, though, It would wait.