PREDATORS
by Chimera Bloom
Part 22
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"I'll be going soon." Elila called out as she entered the room. The shark didn't turn to acknowledge her entrance. But both of them knew that Pedryn's sole focus was on the wandering heron.
The shark hadn't slept much. Much of last night had been spent in a desperate and futile attempt to locate Carielle. After the Fluid and all its surrounding waters had been thoroughly searched the alpha shark was beginning to think that Elila was right.
Carielle didn't want to be found. The heron had guessed that the shark had taken to the deeper waters of the Gallion Ocean searching for some kind of solace beneath its darkened waves. And since Pedryn could find no evidence to the contrary she was beginning to think that Carielle was in fact, enjoying the waters of the deep.
And this distance from her cousin was maddening. Pedryn certainly wasn't one to need her hand held or to join herself to the first familial hip that passed her by. But this was an extreme situation. Elila had learned much from Carielle. And now Pedryn had no idea how to even begin to handle the situation.
It was time for the heron to take her leave. The afternoon sun was already beginning to set. And the heron was surely missed by her tribe mates.
"Did you sleep well?" Pedryn asked not bothering to turn.
She didn't need to face Elila to see what her other senses had already told her. It had all been in the heron's voice. Elila sounded calm, collected, and rested. Her footsteps had been soft and even. And even now in the presence of nature's oldest living predator, her heartbeat was strong and steady.
"Yes, thank you." Elila answered politely. She noticed that Pedryn seemed to be gripping the banister before her with an ironclad grasp. It seemed that at any moment she could rip the whole thing right off the wall.
"Still no word from Carielle?" Elila asked daring to walk a bit closer to her natural enemy.
Pedryn's entire body seemed to tense at the somewhat innocuous question. Elila had been the last person to speak with Carielle. And despite all of her best intentions to the contrary, Pedryn had to admit that she was growing worried.
Slowly, Elila approached the shark choosing to stand a safe distance off to her right. The heron was close but not painfully so. But to the shark it seemed like Elila was practically sitting atop her.
Pedryn froze as she caught a rather overwhelming fragrance as the girl walked by. Elila had recently bathed and the girl's skin was subtly perfumed. The shark found the aroma intoxicating. There was something wholly delicious about the scent of mountain flowers resting atop the skin of sweet heron blood.
"You know, I don't think I ever realized the Fluid contained this many floors." The heron idled looking down onto the spectacular view below.
They had to be resting nearly seventy feet high above the breaking waves. And the complete glass exterior walls of the structure were affording a breathtaking view of the setting sun. Its hues were a bright orange and pink, so vivid and brilliant that Elila imagined she had never before seen such perfect humid coloring.
As the sun crested under the darkened waves of the Gallion Ocean, its fading light danced off the glass of their surrounding walls. Even the shined white stones of the floor seemed to be reflecting the fading light of their sole sun. And as Elila looked around to commit every single dancing color to memory, she realized that the sharks had truly created something of mythic beauty.
"This place is amazing." Elila commented realizing that she alone would only ever witness such a site.
The sharks were a terribly reclusive tribe. Their closed ranks often reminded Elila of her own jungle cat heritage. She imagined that it was entirely likely that she was the only non-Midali tribe member to ever enter the sacred halls of the Fluid.
And everyone had been so exceptionally nice to her. Upon awaking rather late in the day, Elila had gone in search of Pedryn. She passed several strange sharks that had been quite helpful in locating their alpha.
"I like it... It's always so quiet up here." Pedryn answered leaning down to rest her body weight against the railing.
Briefly, Elila looked around and noticed that they alone occupied this spectacular balcony. The heron suspected that the other sharks were cutting Pedryn a lot of space out of respect and a bit of fear. Even though Elila didn't know the alpha shark that well even she could tell that Pedryn wasn't herself.
And the heron was well versed in the many violent throngs of Pedryn's anger. She knew that it was best stay out of the shark's path when Pedryn was suffering a bit of ill temper. And if the situation had been any different Elila realized that she too would most likely give the shark a wide berth to move.
But she couldn't afford that luxury now. She needed the shark's help. And besides, even though Elila could feel the tension radiating off the shark's form she knew that she was in no real danger. Pedryn might be upset, worried and perhaps a bit angry. But it was more then clear to Elila that the shark had no intention of turning any of it towards her.
"You haven't slept." Elila said noticing that the shark still wore the clothes that she had seen her in the night before.
Although, Elila wasn't complaining. The shark was a delicious sight in pale blues and grays. They made her naturally luminescent skin seem even more luxurious. And right now, there was something so terribly vulnerable about the shark. Her normally proud and physically threatening frame was hunched over as if to cower from an unknown threat.
Her sparkling blue eyes seemed tired and worried. Her long blonde hair had been carelessly pulled back from her face and roughly knotted into a low ponytail. Pedryn's entire body seemed to be crying out for rest.
And for a second, Elila found herself reacting to the shark in strange and nurturing ways. She walked closer to Pedryn placing a soft delicate hand on the cool expanse of the shark's cheek. Pedryn's eyes seemed to flare at the contact. The touch was unexpected and somewhat shocking. Up until now, they had been quite careful at holding each other to the relative safety of arms length.
Unable to withstand the warm and comforting touch of her former victim, the shark practically jumped across the room. Pedryn froze in place momentarily alarmed by the stupidity of her own actions. She had run from Elila like the fragile heron was the predator between them.
She was overtired, worried, and under a great deal of stress. And in some ways, she really didn't trust the heron. After everything she had put Elila through she imagined that the girl could only ever want vengeance.
But now, it was Elila who was uncomfortable. Pedryn had jumped away from her as if the mere touch of her hand had burned her. And the heron was feeling a bit self-conscious. Elila had never been known for her overly affectionate ways. And the fact that she had reached out to someone, let alone Pedryn, was reason enough for surprise.
"Sorry..." Elila muttered not really sure what it was that she was apologizing for.
Apparently, she had misread the situation. And for that she was truly sorry. She thought that on some level they were becoming friends. And if she were at all honest with herself, Elila realized that part of her had been foolishly creating thoughts of something more.
Her silent stares at the shark had been far more then platonic in nature. Every time Elila was around Pedryn she found herself appreciating the shark's natural beauty even more. And it was a realization that wholly disturbed the young heron.
Pedryn should be the very last person on the planet that she harbored any type of attraction towards. But Elila couldn't deny her wandering eyes or quickening pulse. There was something about Pedryn that made Elila feel fiery and brilliant. There was something about Pedryn that made her body burn and swell from the inside out...
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Even though she tried to rouse herself from such distracting and completely inappropriate thoughts, the heron found herself unable to quell the rising wave of desire cresting throughout her form. Desire was such a strange phenomenon to Elila. She had known little of it throughout her life.
Of course, she had always been drawn to Kellis. But in some ways that had been more of a social attraction then actual physical hunger. As the premier warrior for her tribe, Kellis was highly sought after. It would be odd for a young woman not to be interested in the tall leggy blonde.
Yet, Elila had to admit that her attraction to Kellis had often wavered after mere thoughts of social engagements. But that's not to say that Elila didn't have powerful feelings for her friend. Because she most certainly did. Things were just so confusing now. So much had changed since the start of the Gallion.
If she had somehow been able to snare her fair warrior cat's attention then so much of her life would have changed. There had been a time when Elila had done nothing but muse over the shear power one warrior could affect in her life. But despite her heartfelt sincerity and completely devoted friendship Kellis never seemed to want anything beyond the platonic from her.
But Elila had been content to wait. Everyone told her that in the end, Kellis would come around. The young heron knew that her parents were practically counting on it.
Yet in the mere span of days, Elila was beginning to see things far more differently. She was tired of waiting for Kellis to finally settle down. And she was losing faith in her parents by the moment.
The only reason that Elila had ever agreed to come back to Fasara Territory is the dire need to create an heir to the throne. Thash would lose all control of the tribe if that weren't accomplished. And Elila had come back, foolishly convinced that this time things would be different.
But nothing had changed. She was still a heron in a tribe full of jungle cats. And Elila was slowly realizing that it was coming time for her to make a decision.
If her parents had something to do with what happened to her that night on the water the young heron didn't think that she could ever forgive them. But if that were the case she would be emotionally free of her tribal obligation to help them. Then she could simply disappear into the unknown realms of the Animal Kingdom. And without an heir, her parents would lose power.
But Elila was far more self-aware to think that she had only remained in Fasara Territory out of some sort of biological obligation to her parents. What had kept her there in that wretchedly hot jungle village was the hope that someday Kellis would return her feelings. But even Elila had to admit that there was little chance of that happening now.
If she left she would surely miss Yamina. But the heron wouldn't stay simply to make her parents or her friend happy. If her parents had betrayed her, the fiercest hybrids on the planet couldn't force her to stay.
But she had to have all the information before she made a decision of such powerful proportions. She needed to know what really happened that night on the water. And to know that she somehow had to get back to the swamp.
The trip there was long and dangerous. It would be difficult to make it alone. But given what she had been through with the cobra the young heron was feeling surprisingly brave. She had been through much in the supposed relative safety of the Gallion Village. How much worse could the swamp actually be?
And yet, Elila knew that she would need help if she were going to make it there. She would need funds and the silence of the Midali. It would be terribly foolish for Pedryn to agree to what she was about to ask. But she was hoping to play into the shark's sympathies. Surely, Pedryn would see the dire reason why she had to go.
"No, don't be sorry. It's me. You just...startled me." Pedryn muttered.
She was acting like nothing more then frightened prey. But she couldn't help it. Her skin still burned from where Elila had touched her.
And for just a moment, she had to resist her every instinct to tenderly cradle her burnt flesh. She was feeling woefully sensitive. And she certainly didn't need to get in touch with her feelings, not with the heron so painfully close.
Seeing Elila this way had already unraveled the fragile cords of emotional tethers that had been holding her so carelessly together. And now that Carielle had disappeared she was beginning to feel like she might actually break in two. So many volatile and painful emotions had been neatly packed in the course of mere hours. It was too much for her to handle. It was too much for anyone to handle.
"I'll have someone take you down to the transport." Pedryn said quickly turning on her heel to walk away.
"That won't be necessary." Elila answered putting a stop to Pedryn's retreat.
"Given the fact that somewhere out there a cobra is still actively hunting for you I think that an escort is very necessary." Pedryn snapped wondering why the heron would be so careless with her own safety.
After everything that Elila had been through Pedryn had simply expected her to be more diligent in such matters. But instantly she regretted the harsh tone that she had taken with the girl. Elila's eyes looked down and a painful ache began to swirl within her pupils. Pedryn never meant to snap at the girl.
"I apologize. I'm just...tired." Pedryn said trying to assuage the obvious offense that she had caused.
"It's all right. I only meant that I won't be boarding the transport back to the Lodge. I have...other plans." Elila answered noticing that she suddenly seemed rather hungry.
Briefly, the heron wondered if Pedryn would object to allowing her to dine with the other Midali before departing. She had a long journey ahead of her and it would pass far more easily on a full stomach. Although, Elila doubted that the Fluid would be stocked full of anything that she would like to ingest.
She had seen enough to know that the Midali diet was painfully similar to that of her jungle cat brethren. Their plates were always filled with near raw meat and sopping-sweet blood sauce. Where as the heron's body much preferred the nutrients found in a wild salad, flowers, or even the leaves from a mint tree.
"I see." Pedryn answered a bit surprised by the heron's statement.
She could see something riding very close to the surface of Elila's skin. It was hot and humid and filled with a laser-focused intent. The shark had only ever witnessed it once before.
It was odd to see the heron suddenly so determined. She imagined that if Elila were in the wild, she would take this opportunity to prune and pluck at her brilliant feathers. But they weren't in the wild. They were in the large and spacious glass enclosed lookout tower of the Fluid. And Elila, unlike her heron ancestors, had no feathers to prune. But she did have a brilliant shimmering beauty.
And Pedryn was finding herself drawn to the small ivory girl with an overwhelming need. It was an odd sensation for the shark. She was familiar in all the different ways that the lust for blood would course through her body.
But this was somehow different, this ran deeper. She was slowly and steadily developing actual feelings for the heron. And it was a realization that could destroy her.
The heron was the last person in the world that she should harbor any type of sentimental feeling towards. She had to stop this strange sensation from flowing within.
But halting her attraction to Elila was like asking to stop the very beat of her heart. She truly cared for Elila. And that itself was reason for sorrow.
Elila was her natural enemy. One day, Elila's mate would most likely wage war against her tribe. She couldn't have this flutter in heart every time the heron was around.
It was a weakness and one that could potentially be exploited. She had to stop this growing ache. But as she looked into the piercing emerald eyes of the woman before her, Pedryn knew that it would surely be easier to stop the rising sun.
"May I ask what these plans are? Surely the Fasara have missed you by now." Pedryn said trying to remain a safe distance from the woman that had her wound so tightly.
"I've decided to take a trip. And I can't go back to the Lodge. It will be too difficult to leave from there. It will be easier to leave from here. The jungle cats haven't seen me all night. They have no idea where I am. This will be...better." Elila explained trying to choose her words carefully.
"You're planning to go someplace without the permission of your chaperone or parents?" Pedryn asked finding the very idea to be absurd.
She knew very well that Elila was well versed in the law. Any daughter of a tribal alpha would have to be. Since she was unmarried, Elila was still in the custody of her parents. And during her time at the Gallion she was legally in the custody of whoever her parents had turned her over to. If she were to simply take off there would be severe repercussion.
If anything were to happen to Elila while she was gone her parents would legally be held responsible for whatever had befallen her. That's why most people tended to keep a rather short leash on their daughters, especially the young beautiful ones. In a Kingdom where hunting is done for sport and pleasure leaving a young girl out on her own is simply asking for trouble.
But lucky for Elila, the alpha shark had no intention of letting anything untoward happen to her. Even if it meant following the girl to the very ends of the earth. No, she would make sure that Elila was protected and safe. After all, Pedryn knew from personal experience what a delicious piece of prey the young heron could be. And Pedryn had no intention of letting anyone else sample the succulent bounty of her humid swamp blood.
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"I have to go, without their permission that is. I'm afraid that they wouldn't approve." Elila answered wrapping her arms neatly behind her back.
The motion caused the young heron's body to jut out allowing the shark to gaze more clearly at her humid features. For the first time, Pedryn noticed that Elila wasn't wearing the clothes she had on the previous evening. The shark could of course see the logic in that. Elila had had a rather long night.
And during its course she had involuntary ingested venom, been drenched in a Midali ceremonial pool, and hiked clear through the forest all the way back to the Fluid. Pedryn imagined her once beautiful dress was covered in a myriad of stains. But last night, she really hadn't noticed.
At first, she had been too exhausted to notice such things. But then, she had been too angry and suspicious. When she found out that Carielle had disappeared after a closed-door talk with the heron she had assumed the worst. And in that instant when she charged through Elila's door she had been far too wrapped up in the haze of her sour guilt to take notice of the heron's appearance.
But now, for some reason, her mind seemed to have cleared. And all she could focus on with her laser-sharp vision was Elila's ivory body covered in the traditional colors of the Midali tribe. She was wearing a rich velvety cream dress of sparkling ocean blue and richly toned gray.
"Where did you get that?" Pedryn asked cautiously.
She had no idea where Elila could have gotten her hands on traditional Midali clothing. But the shark had absolutely no intention of complaining. The heron was breathtaking in her natural state. Even her cosmetics had long since worn-off.
And in its wake was a fresh rising of raw swamp features. Pedryn imagined that she could stare into the emerald light of Elila's eyes for a mere eternity and never fully grasp the depths of their green. Cautiously, she walked towards Elila suddenly feeling rather drawn to the heron's form.
"Oh this?" Elila asked lightly pulling the velvet dress folds away from her body. Pedryn only nodded in agreement taking the opportunity to sweep one long gentle circle around the heron's body.
"Baysha gave it to me. She took one look at my dress and thought that this would be more appropriate." Elila answered feeling somewhat dizzy by the way Pedryn was continually circling her form.
The shark's motion was lazy and continuous. But Elila didn't miss its double meaning. All predators had a tendency to circle their prey. And Elila knew from personal experience that Pedryn was no different.
"I hope it's not a problem. I did ask Baysha about it. But she didn't think that you would mind, considering the circumstance and all." Elila rambled reasonably certain that Pedryn wasn't even listening to her.
The shark's eyes had glazed over until her black pupils had disappeared into a wash of sea blue. The effect was unsettling to say the least, especially since Elila had seen it happen before.
Logically, she knew that it had something to do with a biological need for self-protection. The eyes, being one of the few vulnerable places on a shark's body, had over time evolved to eliminate that weakness as well.
Elila knew that Pedryn's ancestors, the sparse creatures that still swam within the darkened depths of the sea, had this innate ocular flaw. But the Midali's more advanced hybrid DNA had weeded this defect out rather efficiently over time. The pupils would retract into the eye, ever so slightly. And then a paper-thin film would cover the rest of the eye protecting it from any flailing object or harsh substance that could cause damage.
At the time of her attack, Elila had been unaware of this biological adaptation. During that night on the water, Pedryn had seemed like some sort of monster. Her eyes only mirrored Elila's sentiments as they turned a thick and watery shade of electric blue.
But now Elila was far more versed in Midali physiology. After that horrible night, she had made it her business to know as much as she could. She wanted to know how and why they hunted. She wanted to know why they all seemed so impossibly strong and lightning fast.
Yet more then anything else, Elila knew that she had been looking for a weakness. She wanted to cling to some piece of information that would help her sleep better at night. But she had found nothing.
And as she watched Pedryn's body succumb to the involuntary physiological changes of the hunt, she felt her own heart race in terror. Quickly, her mind flipped through all the events of the last few minutes. She had done nothing to bring this on.
There had been no anger between them. She wasn't bleeding or physically invading Pedryn's personal space. And the loud raucous fighting that could often cause a Midali frenzy had certainly not occurred.
Elila was mystified. To her, things had been moving along quite smoothly. She had been pleasant and courteous. And Pedryn had seemed amicable, for the most part.
Something wasn't right. It just didn't make sense. So when Pedryn stepped into another circle, moving ever closer to Elila's tensed body, the heron watched with wide unblinking eyes.
"No, it's perfect. I mean...it looks perfect on you. I mean...it's fine Elila." Pedryn answered avidly stuttering over every single one of her words.
Quickly, the shark broke off her hunting pattern. It had been subconscious and unintentional. But she knew that Elila had noticed. The shock and fear cresting in the heron's eyes reflected vivid testimony.
"So, you said you weren't going back to the Lodge. May I ask where you are going?" Pedryn politely stated trying desperately to reclaim some kind of dignity to her tone.
She was acting like a hormone-driven, inexperienced, fumbling young teenager. And it was a thought that left her with no shortage of self-abasement. In a short period of time she would inherit the throne and become the tribal Alpha for the entire Midali tribe. She couldn't let the presence of one mere heron unsettle her so greatly.
But as Pedryn looked at Elila, she wondered how she would ever behave like her normal cold and stoic self in the girl's presence. Elila could unravel her. She could penetrate her aloof nature with little more then a smile or stare. Silently, Pedryn mused over the fact that this was a situation ripe for complete tribal disaster.
Yet, it had all been brought about so easily. All it had taken was to see Elila in the colors of her tribe. And from that moment on, Pedryn had lost complete control to some sort of primal mating imperative.
"Are you hunting me?" Elila asked softly and without hesitance.
She kept her eyes firmly latched onto the shiny stoned floor at her feet. She couldn't look at Pedryn even though her will power was screaming at her to do so. If she was about to be attacked, Elila didn't want to see it coming. She didn't need those images to flood her mind. After everything that had already happened, she had had enough of nightmares.
"NO! I...I wouldn't do..." Pedryn stopped her outpouring of emotion and words with a shaky breath.
She had never meant to frighten Elila. But she didn't think that the truth would sound much better. She hadn't taken to the girl as a predator to prey. She had been drawn to Elila as nothing more then a woman to her mate.
But that was an explanation that Pedryn was reasonably certain that Elila didn't want to hear. Given their tribal positions and their history her attraction to Elila, whether it was involuntary or not, could readily be construed as completely inappropriate. And even though Pedryn knew she was prescribing to the social norms she usually chose to ignore and scorn, in this case, she wholeheartedly agreed.
She couldn't have these feelings for Elila. She couldn't want to feel Elila's fragile body wrapped in the circle of her steely arms. She couldn't have that. She couldn't have the heron.
But even though her mind knew all the many logical reasons why such a union could never occur, her body seemed to be ignoring all of her silent pleas. Her heart rate had yet to slow. Her skin was still flushed. And she could easily feel the continual dilation of her eyes.
Even after everything and with all the impossible obstacles between them, she wanted Elila, with a raw physical ache that couldn't be soothed by all the water in the Gallion Ocean. She craved Elila. And it was a stubborn fact that could eventually bring her to her knees.
"No. I wouldn't do that." Pedryn reiterated trying to move away from the heron. There was safety in distance. But right now, the shark suspected that even the other side of the world wouldn't be far enough.
Actually, Pedryn was a bit surprised that Elila had assumed her actions had been motivated by violence. Elila lived amongst a tribe of jungle cats. And although the blood of the hunt might abstain from the blue heron's veins, the girl should still be able to recognize its signs.
Surely, somewhere within the boundaries of her own tribe Elila must have witnessed the mating habits of predators. And although not identical, Pedryn knew that there were many similarities between the manners of lovemaking from tribe to tribe. In fact, Pedryn had a hard time believing that Elila hadn't participated in such predatory mating play first-hand.
But as soon as the thoughts filtered through her mind, Pedryn saw a dawn of recognition brighten the heron's features. Elila finally realized that she had been in no real danger. Pedryn hadn't been after the meat of her body or the blood in her veins.
And now, the heron knew the truth. Pedryn was attracted to her. But instead of the horror or disgust that the shark was expecting to witness another emotion entirely flooded through Elila's eyes.And even though Pedryn tried valiantly to convince herself that she must be misreading things, the shark was nearly certain that she saw the mirroring of her very own desire.
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Elila stood there railing at herself for the foolishness of her very own thoughts. She was actually pleased as she saw the cresting of desire rising in the shark's eyes. She was pleased and understandably relieved.
For a horrible split second, she had actually thought that Pedryn meant to hunt her. All of the signs had been there. But thankfully, she had been mistaken.
It was Pedryn's intent to mate. And Elila realized that for a moment, her mind could only wrap itself around the concept of deep heart-wrenching sorrow. She hadn't been able to recognize desire. She hadn't recognized the face of want even when it was mere inches from her own.
She tried to tell herself that it was all because of their history. After all, Pedryn was the last person in the world who should harbor such feelings for her. But inside, in that place that still hurt, Elila knew her misjudgment was due to something else entirely.
Her misreading of Pedryn's intention stemmed more from her time with the jungle cats then that night on the water. No one had ever looked at her like that. No one had ever wanted her. No one, until Pedryn...
She was different from all of them. And as much as she hoped it would turn out otherwise, Kellis too seemed to find her wholly unattractive. Elila knew it wasn't her fault. She didn't ask to be born a half-breed. It was simply the status of her unforgiving jungle cat society that beleaguered her for her natural heron's features.
But Pedryn had somehow seen past the bile mixing of her heritage. The shark liked her. More then that, Pedryn obviously desired her. And that was a fact that Elila reasonably knew should frighten her right down to her very core.
It was natural to assume that wanting and longing had caused that horrible incident that night on the water. But time and distance had given Elila far too much reason for that. She knew innately that that night had absolutely nothing to do with sex. In fact, physical desire wasn't even a remote factor.
It had everything to do with violence; in it's most destructive form. It was a night filled with anger and vengeance. And in some ways, Elila knew that it was about control.
But the heron couldn't fully understand the motives behind the shark's actions. She needed more information. And that's why Elila knew it was time to make her way back home.
She needed to know what the real reason was behind the attack. She simply had to know. Because when Pedryn looked at her with affection and need circling through her eyes the heron realized she felt far more then simple gratitude. She wasn't just pleased or flattered that someone finally found her mixed breeding attractive. She was pleased that it was Pedryn.
Somewhere in between their sudden crossing of paths and this strange yet inspired moment, Elila found herself drawn to the shark. Despite her best attempts to quell her rising emotions the heron knew that on an innate level, she was deeply attracted to Pedryn. She wasn't sure if it was the shark's natural beauty or even her stealth and speed. Elila suspected that it had something to do with Pedryn's uncharacteristic kindness, generosity, and her special unique brand of softness.
Whatever the reason, it had whispered to her heart. And the heron had listened. Elila knew that she was running off to the swamp for Pedryn just as much as for herself. She needed to prove that all of her nightmares had been wrong about Pedryn. She needed to prove that her affection could in fact, be returned.
"The swamp... I need to get back to the swamp." Elila said swiftly changing the subject. They had already spent too much dancing around the strange exchange between them. She needed to leave now, before she lost her nerve.
"Oh? Does this have to do with your family there?" Pedryn asked relieved that Elila seemed to be once again comfortable in her presence. It would appear that the heron was willing to ignore her subconscious slip into the realm of uncharted emotional territory. And for that, Pedryn was whole-heartedly grateful.
"Yes. Well no...not in the way that you think." Elila answered realizing that she wasn't making any sense at all to her watchful companion.
"Well then, as long as your intentions are crystal clear." Pedryn mused allowing her voice to dip into a somewhat sardonic tone.
"I see. I didn't realize humor was a Midali characteristic." Elila replied unaffected by the shark's witticism.
"It's one of our lesser known traits." Pedryn answered slowly becoming aware that Elila could possibly be wholly misinformed.
There were literal hordes of rumors floating about the kingdom on what the Midali were actually like. Being the uncontested top predator on the planet came with its fair share of notoriety. But they were a close and reclusive tribe.
Any information the outside world gathered on them was due impart to gossip, all out rumors, and misappropriated facts. One such rumor was that the Midali never smiled. Pedryn had actually heard that in some realms of the kingdom the other hybrids believed that not once in the span of centuries had a shark ever laughed.
And it would appear that young Elila had been no stranger to such outright misleading facts. But it didn't upset Pedryn. In fact, the contrary was quite true. She found the prospect of teaching Elila all there was to know about the Midali tribe to be quite intoxicating.
"So Elila, why the sudden desire to return to Black Moon?" Pedryn asked trying desperately not to get her hopes up.
She knew all too well the kinds of things that went on in the swamp. A large portion of their economy was based solely on the buying and selling of information. And even though she couldn't tell Elila what really happened that night, someone from the swamp could.
Pedryn wasn't stupid. She knew that all parties involved had covered their illegal tracks insanely well. But she also knew of Black Moon's reputation. If there was any place in the world that could hold the answer to Elila's question, it was the swamp.
"Well, it's not sudden. I always want to go home. I fully regret the day I agreed to leave in the first place. But this trip isn't about being homesick. I think you know what it's about." Elila answered crossing her arms and trying her best to look steely.
Pedryn appreciated what the heron was trying to do. Fragile young Elila wanted desperately to look brave. And Pedryn had to try her absolute best to hide the smile that was threatening to erupt.
The young girl simply looked adorable as she tried to stand there and seem unafraid. But Pedryn knew the truth. Leaving the Gallion Village to covertly return to the swamp was simply asking for trouble, both from her parents and from the law. The task before her wasn't an easy one and Pedryn wasn't certain that the girl was up for the challenge.
"Elila, are you sure this is what you really want to do?" Pedryn asked softly.
Instantly, the heron seemed to take great offense to the comment. Her green eyes flew open all the while flashing like an angry sharp laser. Her brow slowly formed into a scowl. And her entire body seemed to tense and coil.
The young one was preparing to fight. And though Pedryn certainly appreciated her attitude, she still found it alluring nonetheless. Elila was simply full of surprises. And the shark was finding every single one of them more attractive then the last.
"I didn't make this decision lightly. And I don't appreciate you questioning me." Elila answered not bothering to take the annoyed edge out of her tone.
There was a small voice that chirped up inside of her. It was the voice that told her to shut up and be quiet. Good girls didn't speak in an angry manner, not to warriors anyway.
And on some level she knew that Pedryn was probably the last person she should be taking such a harsh or discourteous tone with. But she couldn't help it. When she was in the shark's presence Elila found it quite difficult to reign in her emotions.
"I'm not questioning you. Please don't misunderstand me. I'm just...concerned." Pedryn answered trying to placate the heron. But Elila was having none of it. She stayed in the same rigid posture she had been holding for the last several minutes.
"Black Moon is a dangerous place. The trip there is quite...difficult. I'm just not sure you know what you're getting into. And don't forget, there is a cobra out there who has tried to kill you not once but twice. I'm just not sure that now is the time to be taking an excursion off of Fasara Territory." Pedryn explained putting Elila's welfare above her own motives.
The swamp was perhaps the one and only chance that the heron had at discovering the truth. And Pedryn knew that if Elila never learned what really happened she would always assume the worst of her. And as much as she would like the circumstance to be different, she wouldn't put Elila in danger just so that she could have a chance at friendship with the girl.
Besides, deep down Pedryn knew that she was just kidding herself. She didn't want mere friendship or amicable feelings from the heron. She wanted a whole lot more from Elila. Pedryn wanted everything that Elila would surely never consent to give.
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"Why don't you wait until Licara has been found? Then you can tell your parents you want to go. I'm sure that Tezara wouldn't object to allowing your return, if only for a bit. It is her family after all that I assume you want to visit. That way you'll have an escort and you won't be in danger." Pedryn said once again trying to keep the heron out of harm's way.
She was having to stifle her desire with every word she spoke but in the end, Pedryn knew she was doing the right thing. She might want Elila to know the truth. But she refused to put her in danger just so that could happen.
The heron seem to stand there digesting every single word she spoke. And Pedryn was glad that Elila had obviously cared enough to listen intently. But she could tell that the heron was warring inside. She assumed that Elila was weighing the wisdom of words. She never guessed that the heron was trying to decide whether or not to qualify her decision.
The only reason that Elila had even mentioned her plan to Pedryn was because she needed the shark's help. But she most certainly did not need Pedryn's permission. She would go with or without Pedryn's approval. She would find someone else to help her if she had to.
But she found herself suddenly wanting to give the shark a solid piece of her mind. Pedryn didn't know her, not really. The shark had no right to make those assumptions about her. And she wanted to set the shark straight on several different matters.
And yet, that voice cropped up again. In her native jungle household women were punished sternly and lavishly for speaking up. If she were speaking to Thash her next course of action wouldn't be a question. The only prudent thing for her to do would be to shut up and never ever question Thash's authority or wisdom.
But she innately knew that somehow, Pedryn was different. She could tell that the shark didn't spend much time not in the company of warriors. Being around her for the last few days had surely tested every single one of the shark's feminine manners. And at the moment, she was willing to bet that Pedryn wouldn't hold it against her if she truly spoke her mind.
"You're not being fair. You don't know me. And I didn't tell you what I was planning because I wanted a sounding board or you to talk me out of it. I told you because I need your help." Elila said trying her best to sound more calm and rational then she really felt.
"What do you mean?" Pedryn asked keeping her statement open for interpretation. She wanted to know what it was exactly that the heron was thinking. Because right now, she could practically see the wheels turning in her mind.
"First of all, I don't need you to warn me about the inherent danger of Black Moon Swamp. I lived there for most of my life. And look at me now. I'm fine. Obviously, I can take care of myself." Elila said realizing that Pedryn was probably misinformed about her upbringing.
When people first met her they always assumed that she had lived a typical sheltered life as the daughter of the tribal alpha. But with Thash and Tezara as her parents, nothing could be further from the truth. No one had sheltered her, no one even tried to. But Pedryn didn't know that. And Elila had to remind herself not to fault Pedryn for her lack of knowledge.
"And I don't know how safe I would be if I stayed in jungle cat territory. Or did you forget that the last time I was attacked by the cobra I was smack dab in the middle of the Fasara ceremonial banquet? I was surrounded by jungle cats in every different direction. But yet, I almost died. I would have to...if Carielle hadn't found me." Elila said sending a quick mental note of thanks to the currently missing shark.
"And my parents would never agree to let me go. I've wanted to go back, ever since... ever since that night." Elila answered clasping her hand across the width of her mouth in horror. She hadn't meant to have this conversation with Pedryn. And she could tell from the slapped look of shock crossing the shark's features that neither did she.
"Well, there's something there that they don't want me to know about. I all out begged my mother who is normally more sensitive then my alpha in such matters. But no matter what I said she all out forbid me to ever even think of leaving jungle cat territory. You know, they wouldn't even let me call my grandparents. At the time I just thought they were trying desperately to protect their secret. But now, I suspect it's something more." Elila answered watching as the information washed over Pedryn's features.
She was grateful to see that the shark was obviously listening to her concerns. She was even more pleased to see that Pedryn didn't seem to mind her expressing her thoughts. It was a nice change of pace, especially in a warrior. Even Kellis at times could be a bit traditional and unbending. Although Elila admitted that once, that had been her primary lure.
"And the trip there will of course be dangerous, especially with Licara out there. But there's no reason to believe that she won't follow me back to the Fasara Village. And trust me, I'll be far safer in Black Moon." Elila said leaning backwards to rest against the wide expanse of the glass wall behind her.
Pedryn tried her best to ignore the devastatingly breathtaking effect the setting sun had on Elila's features. Now wasn't the time for such displays of physical ogling. Now was the time for reason and logic.
"I can't believe that." Pedryn firmly answered. She might not be Thash's biggest fan but even she would recognize that the tribal Fasara Alpha was quite the accomplished warrior. Surely Thash could protect her daughter from the fangs of any hungry cobra.
"You don't know the jungle cats. And you don't know my relationship with the tribe." Elila snapped trying her best not to sound bitter. But if the look of confusion crossing the shark's features was any indication she was failing miserably.
"I had to leave the Fasara Village because of threats to my safety. I left when I was fairly young. That's why I grew up in Black Moon. I don't know the jungle village very well. My parents rarely let me leave the royal grounds. And on those rare occasions that I do get to leave I'm always accompanied by a somewhat unwilling protector." Elila explained not wanting to delve into the true division amongst her tribe.
She knew that it was a weakness Thash tried desperately to hide. If the rest of the kingdom knew of the division amongst the Fasara, war would most likely be eminent. During her time as tribal ruler Thash had acquired many enemies. And none would hesitate to exploit any potential weakness.
Truthfully, Elila knew that was part of the reason that she had been sent away. She was of course in danger from her fellow tribe mates. But more then that, she was an exploitable vulnerability. She was the unwanted half-breed daughter that reminded the tribe each and every day that Thash had flown in the face of centuries of sacred tradition.
Elila never understood why her mother never caught the brunt of their tribal hatred like she did. Oh, she knew that Tezara had been blessed with features that allowed her to blend more easily then her swamp-born daughter. But still, no one said so much as said one ill-tempered word to Tezara let alone physically threaten her.
Truthfully, Elila knew it had much more to do with Thash then her mother's jungle social skills. If anyone so much as looked at Tezara in a manner unbefitting her royal status, they would have to answer to Thash. But Elila's alpha had afforded her no such luxury. She had been left to fend for herself. And needless to say, as one lone heron in a tribe of predators she faired quite poorly.
"I completely understand your desire not to deal with Licara in unfamiliar territory. And if the Fasara Village really is that unknown to you then I'll concede that perhaps the swamp is a better alternative. However, I still think you need to take someone with you. The trip there will be trying without a consort. What about your chaperone here? Can't you take her?" Pedryn asked trying to comprehend the reason behind Elila's thoughts.
Though she was beginning to understand the heron better by the moment, she was beginning to doubt everything she had ever perceived to be true about Thash. There was much that she wanted to ask Elila about her relationship with her alpha. But she knew that now was most assuredly not the appropriate time.
"Kellis? Trust me, I can't even ask her let alone take her. Besides her schedule is far too busy to gallivant around the globe babysitting me." Elila answered unable to keep the scoffing scorn from entering her voice. She didn't want to speak of Kellis now. That was a subject far too emotionally explosive.
"All right, not Kellis. But there has to be someone? It doesn't necessarily have to be a warrior. Any jungle cat would suffice." Pedryn said trying her best to be diplomatic.
She didn't want to have to remind Elila that even the other women in the tribe posses superior strength and speed in comparison to her own. But right now, Pedryn suspected that that would be like rubbing salt in an already open wound. Elila knew she wasn't a predator. And the girl certainly knew how vulnerable she was to them, in whatever form they might appear.
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CONTINUED...