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THE BOAT SLOWED but all Trinity could see was mist. No land, no water, just fog. The weight of the baby Trackers weighed heavy on her lap. Mirra was curled in a ball on the floor of the boat, blood still trickling from between her legs. They had to do something soon or Mirra would die along with her babies. A cold knot of fear twisted in her gut. She couldn’t lose the Tracker, she just couldn’t.
The boat scraped against something. They were on land, but where and what type of place? Nothing was visible but gray.
“Come.” Verly stepped out of the boat. “Bring the Tracker.”
Travis glanced at her, but it was a little late for him to be worried. He should’ve hesitated before he’d followed the Forest Witch onto the boat. They were her prisoners now. She stood, cradling the babies close to her chest and carefully hopped onto shore. Travis gathered Mirra in his arms and they followed Verly and her two Guards into the mist.
They entered a formation of rocks, their dark shadows looming around them like giant monsters of old. The air was cooler inside and the fog lessened as they continued forward. Soon, there was nothing but a light spray of mist. Verly stopped. The rocks surrounded them, concealing them from the ocean, but below it was paradise. They stood on a ledge overlooking a valley filled with sunshine. There were pastures and gardens and patches of thick brush.
“What is this place?” Travis’ head moved back and forth, trying to see everything at once.
“Just one of many hidden gardens,” Verly said, smiling. “When you’ve been hunted by the Almightys for as long as we have, you learn to find the pretty spots to hide.”
They made their way into the valley. There were about a dozen Producers working the fields while Grunts labored with Guards repairing a large building. A couple of Servants watched them from the trees and there were even some Stockers. Everyone seemed to get along, some even joking with the others.
“I see you’re surprised by my companions,” said Verly. “Is it so very different than what you and Hugh created?”
“I never imagined a place like this.” She could stay here forever—hidden from Jethro and Hugh, safe from her lies and betrayals.
“Come, we need to get Mirra settled.” Verly led them past a group of small cottages and into a barn. “Open the cage and get some blankets and water.”
“Mirra doesn’t belong in a cage.” She touched Travis’ arm, stopping him.
One of the Guards opened the cage. The other Guard came into the barn with an arm full of blankets which he used to make a soft bed in the center of the enclosure.
“This is a peaceful place. I can’t allow a Tracker to roam free until she promises not to harm anyone.” Verly’s words were soft, almost hypnotic.
She shook her head, clearing the witch’s voice from her mind. “Mirra’s sick. She can’t harm—”
“Right now, but once she’s better she’ll be hurt and angry at her loss. I cannot take that chance.”
“Trinity, she’s right,” said Travis, but he didn’t move to enter the cage until she nodded.
“I’m staying with her.” She looked at Travis. “We should all stay together.”
He nodded.
“Suit yourself.” Verly’s sparkling eyes gave away her amusement, but they sobered as she entered the cage. One of her Guards handed her a bucket of water and she dribbled a little into Mirra’s mouth. “She’ll need to eat to regain her strength.” She turned to the other Guard. “Rocco, bring something for these two to eat and get some meat for Mirra.”
Trinity glanced at Travis who paled and then looked at his feet.
“So you know.” Verly studied them.
“We both know the secret of meat,” she said.
“Good. That saves us from having that conversation.” Verly frowned. “It’s quite distasteful but necessary.”
“I heard you eat meat.” She needed to know exactly what their situation was.
“This is a community. I care for and protect its members. We do not indiscriminately kill and eat anyone,” said Verly.
She should let that go, but she couldn’t. “Discriminately, then?”
“When one is ready, we help them along, but it’s their decision. The rest of our diet is supplemented by what we grow.”
Trinity glanced at Travis. So, the Forest Witch did still kill and eat Producers.
“Nothing is wasted in this community.” Verly’s gaze landed on the bundles in Trinity’s arms.
“You’re not going to eat them.” She clutched the babies closer to her chest.
“You want food, meat, for your friend? Our supply is very limited.”
“I...I don’t care.” She backed away a step. “I’ll catch a rabbit or something.”
“A rabbit or something? I told you. In this community we do not kill anything unless it’s the creature’s choice.” The Forest Witch’s eyes glowed almost turquoise in her anger.
“It’s not the same.”
“It is to the rabbit.”
“Did you eat your aunt? No? That’s right. It’s the same for everyone but Almightys.” It was the only defense she had because the Forest Witch was right. The rabbit didn’t want to die any more than the Producers did.
“The rules are the same for everyone.” A resigned sadness hung over the Forest Witch.
“You ate your aunt?” She wasn’t sure if she approved or was disgusted.
“Yes. I didn’t assist with the butchering but I partook of the meat. She would’ve expected no less.” Verly’s gaze went back to the babies. “Nothing is wasted here. Nothing.”
“I can’t let you eat them.” She’d fight them all for this. They were innocent like Adam and she refused to let them share his fate.
“This one time, I’ll allow you to dictate.” Verly’s lips were thin with suppressed anger. “They’ve been out too long without being field dressed anyway. Their meat is tainted, not good for anything but the earth.” She stepped out of the cage. “Go. Bury your dead and care for your Tracker. I’m going to lock the door now. Your choice to be inside or out.”
“Can I have the key?” She couldn’t bury the babies from inside the cage.
“No, my dear. I can’t allow you to let the Tracker free. You share a fondness for the creature that others here do not. It wouldn’t be safe for anyone.”
“Then can you let me in the cage after I bury the babies?”
Verly’s eyes clouded slightly. “No. Night is close. You must choose what’s important.”
That was easy. The babies could wait. Mirra needed her. She stepped inside the enclosure, once again destined to be caged.
“Trinity, maybe we should stay out here.” Travis’ brown eyes looked huge in his pale face.
“I’m staying with Mirra. You do want you want.”
He grumbled but entered the cage.
Verly laughed as the door clanged shut and the key turned. “So young and so trusting. Rocco will be back with the food and some herbs and tea. Get Mirra to drink the tea and apply the herbs to where she bleeds.” She turned and left the barn.