instead of the camouflaged color he was just a moment ago. "I did not want anyone to see me while we talked. Did I frighten you?"
"No, I just love spewing words at the top of my lungs for no reason at all," I say sarcastically. Then I realize what he just said about not wanting to be seen. Oh god. Is this about U'dron? I return to the hut's entrance and hold the flap aside. "Get in here."
He races inside without pausing, and I shut the flap behind us.
Once inside with him, I cross my arms over my chest. "What is it? What's gone wrong?"
"Gone wrong?" A'tam gives me a puzzled look. "Is something wrong?"
Beauty, but not brains with this one. I fight the urge to smack him across the head. "With U'dron?"
"Eh?" A'tam blinks, and then shrugs his big body. "No word from U'dron. It is early yet. He will spend many days tracking sky-claw first. You must be patient." He crouches near the fire pit, picking up my favorite coal-poking stick and nudging at the embers.
I want to snatch it out of his hand. "Then why are you here, ding-a-ling?" I'm a little worried because I think about my stripper revelation and how A'tam was one of the guys that wanted to see me dance. It was harmless curiosity then, but…I don't know why he's here now, and I'm unnerved. "Spit it out or get out."
He sighs heavily, rubbing his beard. Of all the Shadow Cat, he's got the thickest beard, and it frames his mouth perfectly. For a moment, he looks very sultry and very, very pathetic. "I need advice."
"On?"
A'tam gives me a wounded look. "B'shit will not even look at me anymore. Everything I do is wrong. How is it that U'dron is not a hunter and yet is able to win you to his side? What am I doing that human females do not like?"
I can't resist any longer. I move to A'tam's side and smack him upside the head. Not hard, just enough to make him scowl. "That's for saying U'dron's not a real hunter, you turd. Of course he is. Just because he didn't get to wave his dick in your little ceremony doesn't mean he's any different from the rest of you. He's just as brave and strong as anyone else. He always brings meat home. He—"
"See?" A'tam jumps to his feet. "I say the smallest thing and you leap to defend him because you care for him so greatly. I want that from B'shit. How do I get such loyalty without resonance?"
He gives me the most guileless, contrite expression and I realize that the guy has no clue how to romance a woman. "You could stop hanging out with Daisy all day long, for starters."
"D'see?" A'tam looks baffled. "But she is a friend."
"She's very pretty. VERY pretty." I hate that I have to point this out, but even I'm a little intimidated by just how attractive Daisy is. Her hair is this wavy mass of red-gold that looks as if it's made from copper, it's so shiny. Her skin is flawless, her brows perfect, her mouth naturally full. Even her teeth are perfect and even, and her voice is downright musical. I know she was picked as a companion because she's so pretty, but it doesn't help when all of us here are feeling a little wind-worn after months of living on the beach in the cold and Daisy looks…well, as fresh as her name.
"B'shit is far more attractive," A'tam says loyally.
"Have you tried telling her this?" I cock my head at him. "Have you tried telling her how much you like her?"
"I told her that our mating was very fine." He gets to his feet, straightening proudly. "And I would be happy to do it with her again. What more do I need to say?"
Hoo boy. If the stories Bridget has said about A'tam are true, the man has no game and less finesse. I know Bridget is sometimes a little moody, but for all his pretty features, A'tam is as clueless as they come. "Sit back down. I have a feeling this could take a while." I sit across from him, pinching the bridge of my nose. "You want to hear the unvarnished truth?"
"Un-var-neesh?"
"The truth. Do you want to hear the truth no matter how unpleasant it is?"
He gestures at me. "That is why I am here."
I point a finger at his face, indicating it with a circling gesture.