Chapter Thirty-Two

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Trigger warning: War-related violence, physical assault, and death.

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I wake up alone. The blanket on Ewar's side of the tent is cool to the touch, indicating that he left our makeshift bed some time ago. I am not overly concerned. The settlement utilizes a rotating shift of people to guard the area 24/7. Ewar's turn must have begun during the late night hours, and he was considerate enough not to disturb me when he left.

I try catching another hour or two of shut-eye, but without Ewar's comforting presence, all I do is lie there. There is too much on my mind. Today is the day. Whether it turns out in our favor or not won't be known until all is said and done.

Most people are still sound asleep when I slip outside. The sky is indigo, with stars twinkling like crystals in a chandelier. I resurrect a fire from the smoldering embers in the fire pit. By its light, I do some yoga poses. The gentle stretching of my stiff muscles is simultaneously relaxing and energizing.

I'm doing a back bend when Ehmay exits her tent. She says nothing critical, but her slight smile suggests she still thinks my morning yoga routine is an eccentric quirk of mine.

I finish up quickly so I can help her with chores. Usually, we eat a light meal of whatever leftovers we have to spare from the night before. Not this morning, though. Ehmay insists that our men deserve to be fed well, something hearty that will give them energy to last until they can return to the settlement.

She and I avoid mentioning exactly why our men will require so much energy today.

Every last wild grain we have left to our name is boiled over the fire. The bubbling vat of porridge is cooked to perfection. Bison fat and blackberries are added to enhance the flavor and give the meal more nutritional value. The aroma draws our family and close friends from their beds, each one starving for a helping. Alie supervises Paytah as he tries eating on his own. Around 75 percent makes it inside of his mouth, which isn't too bad for a toddler. Afrin and Enja make a game out of who can finish their breakfast first. Their father, Mett, swallows his portion in exactly two gulps. He grins and declares himself the winner, to the complaints of his children.

Ewar reappears from guard duty right before the sun peeks over the horizon. He sips the porridge from the small bowl, occasionally complimenting the dish. I'm having the same meal as him, but I can't taste much of anything. Nerves, I guess.

Seti shows up after breakfast, the glow of dawn coloring the sky. Since he will be acting as my body double today, we must get him to look more like me. The clothes I wore to the Soul Eaters meeting yesterday is donated to the cause. If all goes according to plan, Snake-Eyes will remember the outfit and automatically assume it's me wearing them. By the time he figures out that he's been tricked, he and his handful of men will be surrounded from all sides. The fight should be over quickly - at least, that's what Ewar keeps telling me. As for the Soul Eaters who weren't invited to the meeting, they will be dealt with later. Hopefully, once they realize Ora is no longer there to lead, most of them will abandon their cause and flee from the area.

Alie swoops in to help with Seti's hair. It's long and thick like mine, but something about it screams "I'm a boy!" Alie suggests we braid Seti's hair in the Bat People's traditional style, weaving some around his head while leaving enough cascading down his back to maximize the illusion that he's a woman.

That last touch of femininity does the trick. It pushes Seti's drag rating from so-so to passable.

The end of the "makeover" comes just in time. Although the meeting isn't scheduled until closer to midday, our men need to find hiding spots before the Soul Eaters' delegation shows up. They need to leave ASAP.

Families gather in clusters to wish their loved ones the best of luck in combat. While they try to sound optimistic, there is an undercurrent of sorrow in their actions. Len, with her infant strapped on her back, is locked in an embrace with Akob. Arl holds Ehmay's hand and speaks soft, loving words to her. Jas presses a tender kiss to Paytah's forehead. His son happily accepts the affection but is oblivious as to why Alie is so teary-eyed this morning.

I gulp at the emotional farewells taking place all around me, almost dreading the one I have to face. Ewar picks up his mace and shield from where they were resting. He looks strong and confident - a stark contrast to me.

With a suppressed sob, I fling myself at him. He catches me around the middle while still maintaining a perfect hold of his battle gear. My fingers claw into the neckline of his tunic, my body molding against his. Why can't the two of us merge into one being, so wherever he goes, I go as well? Our fates would be bound together for all eternity, never to be torn apart.

But life sucks, so that isn't an option.

"Shh," he whispers into my ear. "All will be well. Do you remember what I said last night?"

For the sake of not making this more difficult on him than it is already, I give a little nod. "You said not to worry... that our side will win, and you will come back."

"That's right. Have I ever let you down before?"

"No... But it's different this time."

He pulls away so he can see my face. His gaze is suddenly heavy with concern. "How so?"

"Well, you'll be working with Seti - and he's looking pretty damn good ever since I fixed him up. After you win the battle, you might decide to dump your old wife and run away with him. I mean, have you seen how nice his hair is compared to mine?"

Ewar gives that exasperated/amused groan that I love and hugs me tighter. "Bella, you say the strangest things sometimes."

"Sorry. If I didn't lighten the mood, I knew I'd end up crying. It wouldn't look right if my tears and snot dripped all over the shoulder of the man leading an army of warriors. Everyone would believe you were the one crying - and we can't have that, can we?"

He breathes out a chuckle. "Thank you... I think. But I can assure you that I have no interest in Seti. It's you that I'll be coming home to tonight."

I pretend to wipe a bead of sweat from my brow. "Phew. That's a relief."

Alistair's voice suddenly is at our side. "Good morning, Bella, but I'm afraid I'll have to steal your husband for a few hours. It's time for us to go."

Ewar's smile drops. "I'll be right there."

Alistair nods and strolls away. Ewar takes me by my shoulders, his words spilling out. "Remember what we discussed before. Stay calm in front of everyone - they will be looking to you for guidance. And keep a lookout while we're gone. If at any point you feel threatened, seek shelter inside the cave as we practiced. You will be safe there until we get back."

"I w-will."

His calloused palm comes to rest against my jaw. "It's just a precaution. The Soul Eaters think we're handing over everything they want. They wouldn't dare attack the settlement before they receive their prize."

Oh, yes. Their "prize" is me - whose legs are shaking so much, she can barely stand on her own two feet.

Ewar bends down to capture my lips. Our kiss is light, however it lingers for longer than originally intended. Inevitably, we get caught up in the moment, in each other. The taste of berries on his tongue. The smell of wood smoke on his skin. It is a pleasurable rush for all of my senses.

Arl has to physically shake Ewar to snap us out of it.

Ewar peels himself away from further temptation - while also ignoring Mett's snickering at our public display of affection. He walks backward several steps and keeps his gaze set on me. No goodbye crosses his lips. Those pine green irises express what he could not say out loud. Despite his reassurances, I see a trace of worry there. He's putting himself in harm's way... for me. Always for me.

I mouth one word at him.

Arsiya.

It's his people's way of saying, "Take care of yourself."

He nods once. Then, a determined glint transforms him. That sweet, gentle man I married all but disappears. His stride is bold as he moves to the front of the line, where Alistair and Seti await. With a shouted order for everyone to follow, he leads the warriors down the trail heading east.

He never looks back.

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Now that our loved ones are gone, it feels like a rug has been pulled out from underneath the settlement's feet. Some of us are weeping; others are standing around numb. My family is stuck somewhere in the middle. Alie sniffles at my side, abnormally quiet for once. Ehmay continues to stare in the direction our husbands went, a hand covering her quivering mouth.

In a way, seeing these ordinarily strong women behaving like this is comforting. I am not alone. They are scared too.

I wrap an arm around Alie on one side and Ehmay on the other. "Come on," I murmur. "Let's find something to do."

The three of us return to our tribe's campsite, each one attempting to distract ourselves from anxiety. Oza joins us and mimics our strategy too. I'm scraping the scales of a fish that was caught in our trap. Alie is mixing fat and a pinch of wood ash to scrub out a stain on a tunic. Oza and Ehmay are preserving the remnants of breakfast. The porridge will be reused, acting as a thickener in fish stew tonight.

Busy, busy, busy.

Others follow our lead. The settlement's inhabitants go about their chores as they normally do. Because life goes on - even when you're in the middle of a war.

Onya is a nurse today, tending to a local man too ill to participate in the battle. She stops by to ask if we have any mullein to spare. The leaves act as an expectorant for congested lungs. Ehmay looks through Arl's assortment of medical herbs and finds enough for Onya to make into a tea. She thanks us for our generosity and returns to her patient.

Essa has already planted herself at the nomad's campsite. Of course, Jaihem and Lohr aren't around. Tora is her only company. Surprisingly, Tora looks somewhat sober this morning. Plus, she is more talkative than usual. And judging by the way she and Essa keep throwing annoyed glances in my direction, I'm gonna guess their main topic of discussion is me. They aren't too happy I escaped being made into the sacrificial lamb last night.

Gee, with allies like these ladies, who needs enemies.

Truthfully, I no longer give a shit what they think. I have bigger issues at hand. No matter what I do to distract myself, I can't untangle the knots in my stomach. There's this disquieting heaviness in the atmosphere, similar to when a storm is brewing. But that can't be right. The sun is out. The sky is a gorgeous blue. It's the type of balmy weather you dream about during the winter months.

My gaze flicks away from the fish on my lap to monitor our surroundings. The Cave of Life settlement is nestled within a ring of hills. These hills are steep, the pebbled slopes not easy to climb. Three exit points lead to trails heading north, east, and south. The only one I'm worried about is the southern route. That trail eventually leads to the Soul Eaters' campsite. There is nothing much to see, not even a blade of grass growing on the hillsides.

So, why is the hair on the nape of my neck standing on end?

Call it hunting instinct or plain intuition, I set the fish to the side and grab my bow. A quiver of arrows is already hung at my hip. Alie is the first to notice my actions. She tilts her head curiously.

"What's the matter, Bella?"

I place a finger at my lips to silence her. She acknowledges me without speaking, but a small spark has been ignited within her shrewd eyes. She drags Paytah away from where he was playing. Once he is safe in her arms, she alerts Oza and Ehmay to the situation. Both women drop what they are doing, expressions of alarmed confusion etched on their faces.

Rising from the ground, I search for anything out of the ordinary. The wind has picked up. The tents flap and flutter in the gentle breeze. Apart from the murmuring conversations taking place around me, it is mostly quiet around here. Only the distinctive call of a quail can be heard coming from somewhere in the hills. It chirps several times before going quiet. Seconds later, another quail answers from the opposite direction. A third responds soon after.

Bird songs are generally a welcome treat to overhear. There's just one problem. Quail don't live in these hills. They prefer grasslands and forests. Humans had to have made those calls.

My gut says it was a signal.

Adrenaline surges into my veins. I twirl around, searching the crowd for a single face. I find her bent over a fire, unaware of the potential danger.

"Onya!"

Before Onya can lift her head - before I can even take another breath - our attention is disturbed by a piercing banshee-scream.

A demon has risen from where she had been sitting moments earlier. Her eyes are feral; her teeth barred like a rabid hell beast. In her hand is a stone axe, its blade sharpened to a deadly point. She raises the weapon high in the air, a sickening grin plastered on her face. The demon's unlucky companion can only watch in petrified horror as the axe is aimed directly at her skull.

Without hesitation, I send an arrow whizzing through the air.

The demon stands for a second or two in a daze. The axe slips from her fingers, falling unused to the dirt at her feet. She yanks the projectile from her chest, staring at the bloody arrowhead with knitted brow. The wound is a gaping hole. Liquid red gushes freely. She raises her head. Crazed, hate-filled eyes focus on me.

In the time that it takes me to blink, she crumples lifeless to the ground.

The woman whose life I saved gasps at the dead redhead and then turns to gape at me. For the first time, Essa and I share a mutual look of disbelief.

I murdered someone. I killed Tora. I took her life as though it meant nothing.

There is no opportunity to sort through my conflicted emotions. Another scream breaks out, this one far removed from a battle cry. A woman from the Fox People is jabbing a finger frantically toward the southern exit.

Men with scarlet-red faces are entering the settlement - a contingent of Soul Eaters!

More are entering through the northern and eastern trails as well. I count ten, eleven, twelve in total. They are armed and looking far too pleased about being here.

Onya yells at the top of her lungs. "EVERYONE, GET INTO THE CAVE!"

No one needs to be convinced. People abandon whatever chores they were doing and take off running. Those with mobility issues must rely on their friends and family to assist them. The cave entrance quickly turns chaotic. The entrance is too small. It isn't wide enough to accommodate everyone entering all at once. The desperate resort to pushing and shoving others out of their way. We need more time to get inside - but there's none left!

Oza seizes my elbow, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Bella, let's go!"

I shake my head. "I can't!" Snatching an arrow from my quiver, I aim it southward. "I have to keep those bastards busy so Onya can get everyone in the cave!"

Alie overhears and slants her eyebrows in irritation. "What about you?!"

"I'll catch up as soon as I can. Take Ehmay and the children. Now, before it's too late!"

The reminder about their kids works like a charm. As my family flees, I let the first arrow fly from between my fingers. Distance and wind resistance take a toll on my aim. It only hits the lead guy in the shoulder. Not my best shot, I admit. Although, it does convince the other assholes behind him to take cover.

While I notch another arrow, I realize that I am not alone. Several women my age are organizing a defense. They are concentrating on the Soul Eaters at the northern and eastern trails since I'm covering the southern route. I've seen these women practicing their skills before. They are decent javelin throwers. Unfortunately, they must get closer if they want to hit their target. They venture out farther than I'm comfortable with, all while shouting threats in hopes of scaring off the enemy. In response, the men merely laugh.

Let's see who's still amused when there's a spear tip buried in their groin.

Upon hearing a yelled signal, both teams of women release their javelins. A couple manage to strike their target, however none are serious injuries. The rest missed their mark completely. The Soul Eaters knew exactly how to avoid getting hit.

Now weaponless and with little to show for it, the women take off running for their lives. The Soul Eaters let out a barbaric whoop and give chase, hot on their trail. In doing so, they have exposed themselves. I turn away from the southern route to pick off the idiots hunting my compatriots. Anger helps my aim this time. One Soul Eater is sent (by special delivery) an arrow right between the eyes. Another man gets one in the gut. A third, who was already wounded in the leg by a javelin, is put out of his misery when my arrow pierces his heart.

Even as their buddies fall dead around them, the Soul Eaters don't retreat. My arrows spiral down in number each time I make a shot. Five are left. Then four. Suddenly, I have exactly three left to my name - and there are still several Soul Eaters left unharmed. I have to make every shot count from now on.

I'm reaching for another when something bumps into my side. I glance to my left and receive the shock of a lifetime.

"Afrin!" I scream. "What are you doing? You're supposed to be inside the cave with Oza!"

The little girl's eyes are brimming with excitement. "I'm here to help! Mother didn't notice when I snuck away." She holds up her prized bow - the one she made herself and wouldn't hurt a fly. "Do you have any arrows I can borrow? None of mine seem to work."

While she babbles on, as though we're playing a fun game of war against some boys, I look all around. The Soul Eaters at the southern trail have gathered the courage to creep out of hiding. The women who tried fighting off the attack are almost back at camp. The shitheads chasing after them aren't too far behind. The cave entrance is less crowded now. Only a couple of stragglers have yet to get inside.

I bought everyone all the time I could. I have to fucking run - and Afrin is coming with me!

I grab a fistful of her tunic and start hauling her toward the cave. She opens her mouth to whine, but she snaps it shut when she notices the burly figures steadily approaching. They are taunting us, shouting the most vile things imaginable.

"Where's the Goddess? I'd like to show her what a real man can do!"

"Look at that one! She's a fighter!"

"Well, she can be my 'goddess' tonight too!"

A gale of laughter follows.

Afrin no longer struggles to be freed from my grasp. She is keeping pace with me now. Fear has vanquished her innocence.

We are nearly there when Oza comes bursting out of the cave. "Afrin!"

She scoops up her daughter the instant we're at the entrance. The reunion is brief. We're among the last of the settlement's inhabitants who have yet to seek refuge. But if we go inside now, the Soul Eaters will be right on our heels. We would lead them directly to our hideout deep within the cave.

Hovering at the entrance, I snatch an arrow from the quiver and aim at the closest Soul Eater. He goes down like the little bitch he is. The others rush to hide behind anything available, mainly the tents scattered around. However, one guy is a step too slow. The second to last arrow burrows into his neck, specifically where the most prominent vein resides. He stumbles and dies on the spot.

Five down. Seven to go.

I hear the scurrying of feet behind me. The women fighters have made it to the cave. I take the chance to flee inside as well since the Soul Eaters are currently worried about flying arrows. The first few steps are dark. It isn't until I reach the main chamber can I see again. Oza lit a torch. She and Afrin are waiting for me.

"Afrin and I put out the fire," she says, eyes wide with fright. The fire which is usually kept going near the entrance is nothing except a pile of smoldering logs.

"Good idea," I pant breathlessly. "The Soul Eaters will have to start another if they want to light their torches."

We leave the main chamber and enter one of its side passages. This is where we run into the group of women warriors. They are lingering, unsure of which tunnel to take. I become the de facto guide since I have been this way many times before. However, once we get past Alistair's "wise man" room, I am less confident about my sense of direction. The cave is vast, with many twists and turns. It would be easy to get lost in this maze.

I conceal my frustrations as best as I can and try to focus. This ends up being our salvation. When your mind is free, you notice the little things more. In this case, the "little things" are the sounds echoing through the cave. Fussy babies. Whispered conversations. An occasional cough or sneeze. It's like following proverbial breadcrumbs straight to the source.

And that's how we find the hideout.

Around two hundred people are packed inside a dimly lit chamber. Space is limited. They are almost stacked on top of one another. Members of our tribe are scattered throughout. I see Essa huddled with her mother and Len. She looks different than normal - less high and mighty, more shellshocked. I feel for her. She made what she thought was a friend and almost died for it.

I exhale when I spot Alie and Ehmay. Alie has Paytah safe within her arms. Ehmay is keeping a close eye on Enja. She nearly shouts with joy when she sees us.

"There you are! We were getting worried. And you found Afrin too!"

Oza shoots her daughter a scolding look. "Afrin was outside with Bella."

Afrin puckers her lips. "I only wanted to help."

I crouch down at her feet. "I know, but you scared your mother when you ran away. Next time we're in a dangerous situation, you need to stay with her no matter what. That would help more than anything else you could do."

Her little mouth twists. After some thought, she nods reluctantly.

Onya comes up from behind me. "Bella! Did everyone get inside?"

"I think so." I stand back up and give a shuddering breath. "But it was close."

She touches my arm, her eyes searching my face. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. I'm just..." I throw up my hands, too overwhelmed to answer intelligibly.

"I wish I could have helped you," she says regretfully. "It happened so fast, I didn't have time to retrieve my bow."

The word "bow" reminds me of something important. I let out a gasp. "Do you have any arrows nearby? I'm down to my last one."

Onya winces. "No, I don't. They're in the house with my bow." A sickly moan from nearby captures her attention. "Excuse me, but I need to check on my patient. Poor man never got that tea I was making." She sends one last significant look in my direction. "Let me know if you see anything."

Her meaning is clear even if her words were vague. Don't let your guard down, Bella. We're not out of the woods yet.

Our little group finds an empty spot not far from the entry point of the chamber. The ground is a bit damp, so Ehmay sacrifices a layer of clothing to provide us with a dry place to sit. I pass up the offer and instead lean against the stone wall directly behind them. While the adults see to the comfort of the kids, I stare off into space. Onya's parting message has opened a Pandora's box of questions.

How long will it be before Ewar and the rest of our warriors return? Can we really hide here until they can save the day?

I'm not sure it's possible.

Even though there are only a few Soul Eaters left out there, they potentially have hours to search this cave before Ewar gets to the settlement. It's not beyond the limits of the imagination to say they might eventually find us. Look how easy it was for Oza and me to locate this chamber by ourselves! All we did was follow the sounds. They echoed through the cave like music from a premium sound system. A crowd of this size simply cannot stay silent. The sad fact is, we're just a bunch of sitting ducks.

Something has to be done before it's too late.

"Bel-la," Alie singsongs from outside the mists of my mind. "What are you up to?"

"Huh?" I just now notice that Alie and Oza are standing right in front of my face.

Alie smirks at me. "I know that look. When you do this..." She squints her eyes while pursing her mouth. "...that means you're planning to do something unexpected - usually something Ewar would hate. So, what is it?"

I roll my eyes at how easily she guessed correctly. Once I am finished explaining what I was thinking, Oza speaks up.

"You want to hunt down those men? All by yourself?"

"Well, yes. They're trying to hunt us down. I don't see why I can't return the favor. I admit it's going to be hard doing that with just one arrow, though..." I scrunch my face at that problem. Then, I shrug it off. "Doesn't matter. I'll think of something."

Alie and Oza exchange an indecipherable glance. Moments later, they nod simultaneously, as though a silent agreement has been made. Alie turns to me.

"We want to help."

"Um, no you don't," I retort. "What I'm planning is probably suicide with extra steps."

Oza raises an eyebrow. "Then why are you doing it?"

"Because if no one does anything, we might all die!" Realizing that my voice level is getting too loud, I drop it down a notch. "Those men are here because of me. I owe it to everyone to fight them off."

"You need help, Bella," Alie insists. "We're not letting you fight them alone."

I shake my head. "You're both mothers! Your children need you to protect them."

"If Oza and I help you, we will be protecting them!"

"Really? You're going to strap Paytah to your back while we're hunting down the Soul Eaters?"

She snorts. "No, Ehmay will look after the children while we're gone. Right, Mother?"

Ehmay bites her lower lip. "Of course I will... but is fighting those men truly necessary?"

"My arrows were a polite way of asking them to leave. I don't think they got the hint," I grumble.

Alie looks smugly in my direction. "That takes care of the children. Will you accept our help now?"

I sigh. "I guess so."

She does a little jig in celebration. "Great! So, what's the plan?"

Plan? I've got nothing. How can three women take on a group of trained warriors? What are their weaknesses? All I know about them is that they're insane, ruthless, and are hornier than a roomful of rabbits in springtime...

Bingo!

I smile. "I know exactly what we should do. We're setting a honey trap."

Alie and Oza look back at me like I've lost all my marbles.

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Some minutes later, a man is creeping down a corridor, torch held high as he scours the cave for victims. The lone Soul Eater comes upon an animal hide covering an entryway. Light seeps out from underneath - a sign that someone has lit a fire. He approaches triumphantly and throws back the curtain.

He finds a topless woman in the process of washing her body.

A water-filled bowl at her feet, the woman gasps but doesn't try covering her nakedness. The Soul Eater's brain flatlines as water drops trickle down her bare breasts and onto her flat abdomen. She's so beautiful, he has trouble convincing himself that she isn't a figment of his imagination.

Once the initial shock wears off, he leers openly. Golden hair. Perfect figure. She's the fantasy woman starring in every straight man's dreams. The woman takes stock of him as well and must like what she sees. Giving him a come-hither smile, she crooks her finger at him. The man's second head (the one down below) urges him to take her - whether she changes her mind or not.

The instant he barges through the entryway, a hefty piece of wood smacks him over the head.

He drops unconscious to the floor. Two more women step out from behind the curtain where they were hiding. Alie is wielding a piece of firewood like a bat. The other woman, yours truly, works quickly to bind the creep's hands and feet with rope. When he wakes up, he's gonna have one hell of a headache.

"Great job, Alie," I say while disarming him of his weapons. "This is the third so far. One look at Oza and they lose their minds. I'm beginning to suspect she's the Goddess of Beauty."

Oza laughs but doesn't argue with the facts. She knows she's gorgeous.

Alie pouts a little. "If Oza is the Goddess of Beauty, and you're the Goddess of Fertility, where does that leave me?"

I make a face at her. "I am not a goddess."

"I know, but I'm feeling left out. I'd like to be someone special too... just to pretend."

I sigh. "Fine. You're the Goddess of Head Wounds. Happy now?"

Her grin says that she is.

Our trap catches our prey, one by one, until there are seven unconscious Soul Eaters lying helpless at our feet, each of whom have lumps the size of eggs on their noggins. Alistair can figure out what to do with them when they wake up. Until then, they'll just have to chill here. We double-check the ropes to ensure they won't be able to free themselves, extinguish the fire inside the chamber, and leave the Sleeping Beauties behind without a second glance.

Now that all of the invaders have been accounted for, Alie and Oza are eager to get back to their kids. I point them in the right direction and take a step backward. Alie is the first to notice that I'm not planning on tagging along.

"Why aren't you coming with us?" she asks.

"I need more arrows. Remember: those men we knocked out are only a small sampling of the Soul Eaters. What if more show up between now and when our husbands get back? We need protection."

Oza frowns. "I understand, but I still don't think you separating from us is a good idea."

"I'm just going to Onya's house! All I'll be doing is grabbing her arrows and bow so she'll have a weapon too, and then I'll leave. That's it. I'll be back with you soon."

The two of them accept my statement but aren't too happy with it. They go one way and I go the other.

I shoulder my bow and walk with light footsteps through the passage. The torch cuts through the darkness, my silhouette casting shadows against the murals decorating the walls. Periodically, I stop to listen for danger, just in case. All I hear is sporadic dripping water, common for a cave environment.

The sunlight is overpowering when I reach the exit. Straining my eyes, I check my surroundings before stepping outside. It is quiet but not ominously so. Other than a couple of dead Soul Eater bodies lying around, nothing I see is throwing up any red flags.

Because Onya is the guardian of the holy site, her hut is located the closest to the cave. It takes thirty seconds tops for me to cross the space and enter her dwelling. Her bow is leaning near the doorway. The arrows aren't as easy to locate. There are baskets galore, storing everything from spare clothing to dried plant specimens belonging to Alistair.

Damn it! Why didn't I think to ask her exactly where she kept the arrows before I left?

Groaning at my stupidity, I begin sorting through the stacks of baskets. Through careful rearranging, I spot the arrows sitting there toward the back. It didn't take as long as I thought it would!

As I am reaching for them, I am slammed face-first to the ground.

All the air gets pushed out of my lungs. A flash of white light blinds me. I cannot move, cannot speak. My hearing works fine, though. A self-satisfied voice taunts me.

"Hello, Damara. Oh, pardon me. You prefer Bella, don't you? I think I do as well. It sounds foreign, but it rolls off the tongue so nicely!"

No warning whatsoever, I get flipped on my back. Despite the dizziness, my eyesight gradually returns. A grinning face materializes above me.

Jaihem!

I don't understand why he's on top of me or what's going on. Regardless, my fight-or-flight instincts kick in. I struggle underneath him, kicking and squirming, but it's useless. My wrists and ankles are bound. I'm not going anywhere.

His hand begins stroking my cheek. "Shh, sweet, sweet Bella. Do not concern yourself with the ropes. They are for your protection."

I don't know what's more terrifying. The way he caresses my name as though we're already an established couple, or the unhinged gleam in his eyes.

I swallow around the disgust and attempt to reason with the psycho. "You b-better get off m-me, Jaihem. Lohr won't be happy that you're hurting a member of the Bat People."

Jaihem chuckles. "I don't think Lohr cares much about anything anymore - not since you shot him with your arrow."

I suck in a breath. Lohr must have been one of the men I killed before escaping inside the cave. That must mean...

I stare accusingly at Jaihem. "How long has your tribe been spying for the Soul Eaters?"

He shakes his head. "No, no, no. That was only for show. Our 'tribe' didn't exist until Ora sent us to see if the Goddess still resided with the Bat People." Longing flickers over his face. "I knew right when I saw you that you were mine."

"B-b-but your wife! What would Tora think?"

His voice drops in a conspiratorial whisper. "Tora was never my wife. She was the Soul Eaters' prophetess - and she was abysmal at it! She felt quite threatened by you, my Goddess. There you were, blessing desperate women with newborn babes, gifting mankind with your supreme knowledge... You showed her up in nearly every way." He wets his lips, staring at me hungrily. "I watched you shoot her. You were magnificent."

He leans in and plants a damp kiss against my earlobe. His incisor tests the firmness of my skin. The panic inside of me increases astronomically. I've got to keep him talking!

"You're not wearing any face paint! W-why is that?"

He releases my earlobe and considers the question. "I am no longer a part of that tribe."

"You left the Soul Eaters?"

He nods. "I didn't tell anyone, though. I passed along what information I could last night and left them for good. After that was taken care of, I hid in the hills around this settlement, waiting for everything to unfold. I knew you'd use your divine weapon when they attacked, and I was not disappointed! Tell me, I'm curious. Once you lured those men into the cave, did you kill them?"

"Uh, not yet. I didn't want to have all the fun at once. I like to spread out the killing throughout the day."

I don't know if he understands that I'm being sarcastic or not. He just smiles and finally stops straddling me. In a surprise move, he even helps set me upright into a sitting position. "Are you comfortable?" he asks.

I want to tell him that no one can be "comfortable" when they are tied up. Somehow, I resist the temptation and transition to a safer subject. "May I ask why you're doing this?"

He appears genuinely flabbergasted. "Don't you know? Ora plans on sharing you with all his men. I could never allow that - their nasty fingers on you!" His own fingers invite themselves to brush through my hair. "Aren't you glad that I saved you?"

I ignore the insane parts of his speech and focus on what I can work with. "Thank you for, uh, 'saving' me. But Ewar probably won't like finding me tied up like this. Do you mind letting me go?"

Jaihem flinches. "Do not mention that name again. Forget him."

"I can't. He's my husband."

He smiles condescendingly, showing all his teeth. "Ah, yes. Ewar... the man who is famous for marrying the Goddess of Fertility - yet he is unable to provide her with the seed to create a child. To be frank, I should not have referred to him as a 'man' at all."

Those fucking rumors again! I scowl at Jaihem. "Ewar is more of a man than you'll ever be."

Jaihem clenches his fist, ready to clobber me. But something holds him back. The anger fades and he's smiling again.

"I like your spirit," he says. "Now that we're together, I promise to never let anyone take you away. You are mine."

"Jaihem, I am not yours, nor will I ever be."

He turns his back and begins pilfering through Alistair and Onya's belongings. "Your attitude will change - especially when our first child is born."

I stare incredulously for a moment before stuttering. "E-excuse me. Did you just say 'our' child?"

"Yes, I did. Isn't it exciting? I will give you many children - all that you desire. Half mortal, half goddess. You and I will create the most superior group of people to ever live!"

This is just great. Jaihem is giving off Nazi vibes many thousands of years before the Shitler worshipers even existed.

I turn up the glare by several hundred degrees. "Listen, dumb fuck. You've got a couple of facts wrong. First of all, it's not because of Ewar that I haven't gotten pregnant yet. The fault lies on my end. Secondly - and I'm gonna say this real slow so you'll understand - I AM NOT DAMARA! I'm a regular woman just like any other."

Jaihem stops looking through the baskets long enough to laugh. "No one ever told me how funny you are! An infertile goddess... ha ha ha!"

I give up trying to reason with the deranged idiot. While he focuses on stealing supplies from my friends, I strain my brain to come up with a way out of this. If only I could break out of these restraints and use my bow!

Like a bolt of lightning, I recall something important. Just yesterday, Ewar slipped me a stone knife to hide in my clothes. He wanted me to have it in case the meeting turned sour.

That knife is still there.

My hands are bound, but at least they're positioned in the front. Casually, my fingers reach for my waistband. It's not easy, but I manage to wiggle the knife out without hurting myself.

My eyes dart across the room to check on Jaihem. He's still collecting food and desirable beads he can trade with other tribes. That's right, Jaihem. Look at the pretty things you want to steal while I make plans on how I'm going to kill you.

Holding the knife between my thumb and forefinger, I rub the rope against the sharp edge. The angle isn't optimal, but it's better than nothing. The outer fibers fray. My fingers cramp as I exert more force. I begin seeing real progress. The rope is ready to snap at any second.

All is well until an outraged voice yells.

"What are you doing?! Give that to me!"

Jaihem lunges. I try swiping the blade across his arm but I miss. He growls while trying to force my palm open. I thrash and scream, fighting with everything I have left. He still overpowers me. The knife is plucked from my hand.

He holds it just out of my reach. "You're a tricky goddess," he pants. "But I am smarter. As your new husband, I will teach you how to behave."

He tosses the knife across the room. Next comes a stinging blow delivered across my cheek. I cringe back, dreading what other punishments he has in mind. Yet, the unbelievable happens. As he prepares to throw a punch, a strange gasping sound exits his throat. Surprise is written across his face. Within seconds, he collapses before me.

A spear is sticking out of his back!

I blink away my terror and spot a figure. Her expression is murderous. She glares down at the body like it's a piece of trash.

"I never did like the way he stared at you," Ehmay grumbles.

Tears begin pouring down my face. "I'm so glad to see you, Ehmay! But what are you doing here? You're supposed to be where it's safe."

"Alie told me you were going outside. I didn't like how long it was taking you, so I decided to come check."

"Jaihem attacked me!"

"I can see that. Here, let me untie you."

As she frees my hands and feet, I give her the rundown. She responds sympathetically when I need it, and angrily when she hears the life Jaihem had planned for me.

"He was a spy?" she repeats in shock.

"To put it nicely, yes. His entire tribe were spies, Ehmay. They've worked with Ora this whole time! He mentioned that he gave the Soul Eaters some important information just last nig-"

My brain receives a jolt. How am I only now figuring this out?!

I jump up and rush over to Onya's arrows. There are around twenty-five. I stuff my quiver until there is no more room. The rest (including Onya's bow) I shove into Ehmay's arms. She stares back mystified.

"Bella! What is wrong with you?"

"I've got to go! I've got to stop them!"

She shakes her head and grabs me. "Calm down! You're not making sense."

"Jaihem said he gave the Soul Eaters important information last night. What else could it be except to tell them exactly what our plans are today! Ora knows I was never going to be traded. He knows Seti is only a body double. He knows everything! That's why he sent a group of men to get me while our fighters were away. And now, I'm willing to bet the rest of the Soul Eaters are waiting for our side to arrive at the meeting site. It's going to be an ambush!"

She cups her hand to her mouth. "What should we do?"

I pick my bow from the ground and heft it over my shoulder. "If I run, I might make it to them in time."

"No! Bella, you can't. It's too dangerous! Ewar would never forgive me if I let you go and you hurt yourself."

I stare at her solemnly. "If you don't let me go, he will die. So will Arl, Jas, Alistair, Mett... just about every person we care about. Is that a risk you're willing to take?"

Her lips thin. Acceptance spreads through her demeanor. "You are right. We must warn them."

"Not 'we'. Just me. I run faster than you. While I'm gone, tell Onya what we learned... and give her those weapons. She's going to need them."

Ehmay nods. Before we separate, she crushes me in a hug. "Be careful, my child. Bring our family back."

"I will," I whisper.

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A/N-

A lot of you guessed correctly that Bella wasn't going to just stand around looking pretty while the men trotted off to war. Now she has to intercept them before disaster strikes. I'm sure Ewar is going to LOVE seeing her pop up out of nowhere!

Thanks for reading. :-)