Wings of the Walker - CoraLee June Page 0,70

to Tallis. "I was born in the Walker Zones and plucked from my dead mother’s arms. I was auctioned off and sold to a prominent family where I was raised to think I was worthless. Dormas is the first taste of freedom I’ve ever had. It's home.”

Tallis looked at me with burning eyes that swept across my face in cool moves. He observed me openly, waiting for a crack in my resolve, so he’d have an excuse to say no .

“Cyler . . . I don’t trust. Behind his confidence is greed, I can smell it on him,” he said. I immediately opened my mouth to argue with him. Cyler and the guys were the most selfless people I knew, but Tallis continued before I could explain.

"The empire’s prejudice unites scavengers and walkers alike. Therefore, I trust you .” Tallis placed a palm over my heart. The nearness of him made me want to cringe, and I noticed Cyler's fist ball in on itself tightly at Tallis’ contact. “We’ll migrate to the far east corner of Dormas within the new moon. That will make us close enough to provide protection, but still far enough to be independent. In exchange, we would like vaccines and access to your food supply, as well as paid jobs in the mines.” He grabbed my hand, placed it upon his chest, and bowed. I wasn't sure about their customs and was worried that I sealed the agreement somehow.

Cyler then interrupted with a grin and immediately jumped in on making plans. “Yes, of course. Your terms are acceptable. We will include your community in our rationing schedule, and there is more than enough work in the mines. What about the other camps, will you help us build alliances?” The hope that dripped off of Cyler’s tone was all-encompassing, he seemed over-eager and anxious for Tallis’ cooperativeness.

Once again, Tallis didn’t address Cyler and kept his eyes on me. Somehow, in saying that I was a Walker, my authority over this meeting surpassed Cyler’s. I shivered under Tallis’ intense stare, and Maverick placed his hand on my lower back, giving me the strength to stay still and not flee the tent. I noticed Tallis’ eyes linger on Maverick for a brief moment before flickering back to me.

“We will send runners to neighboring camps that have formed an alliance with us and schedule a council meeting after the month’s end. I cannot guarantee that they will listen, let alone attend, but I will try.”

I nodded and smiled timidly at Tallis while Mia whistled loudly, disrupting the severe mood of the tent. “A deal made without bloodshed! My little Agrio is good luck! ”

I smiled at Mia and quickly understood what Huxley saw in her. Mia’s good nature was infectious. A sliver of a smile graced Tallis’ face, and I saw a glimpse of the man beneath the authoritative facade. When he wasn’t scowling or wearing the burden of his people on his back, he almost looked like the young man he was. The stress and burden of his people's safekeeping aged him considerably. I realized that he and the Dormas Leadership Council had a kinship of sorts. They were all men forced to grow up quickly.

After a solidifying a few more details between Cyler and Tallis, we made our way back to the train. Now that the seriousness of the meeting was over, Tallis completely abandoned all formalities and accompanied us back. It was well past midnight by then, and the moon illuminated the woods in a shimmery yet unnatural glow, hinting that something abnormal was lingering within the elemental makeup of the trees.

“I think Agrio is a good nickname for our new friend, Mia. Even her hair is wild.” He chuckled in a friendly manner and pinched one of my curls between his fingers. He had slowed down to walk with me back to the train. Huxley remained close and scowled at Tallis whenever he got the chance, making it clear that despite their new alliance, he still didn’t necessarily like him. I yearned to explore the history between them and hoped I got the opportunity to ask Mia when she moved closer to Dormas.

“I’ve never been able to tame it,” I replied with a self-deprecating chuckle.

Tallis’ sharp teeth flashed in the dark before he spoke, “Tame nothing about yourself, Agrio ,” he whispered seriously. That earned him a literal growl from Huxley who wrapped his thick hand around my own.

Tallis sent Huxley a knowing grin. “It’s nice