Emberhawk - Jamie Foley Page 0,12

door, opened it just wide enough to drop the jar on the kitchen counter, then slammed the door shut behind her.

She’d probably get another lecture for that. And for once, she probably deserved it. She didn’t want to appear like a petulant child, but if she kept her anger bottled up, she’d explode. Maybe her mother could take tyranny with a smile, but it burned and itched and writhed inside Kira like acid in her veins.

The barn loomed on the nearby hill as Kira hurried for it. At least she couldn’t hear the prisoner’s screams anymore. Her stomach protested as she jogged, but she had no appetite while Sa’alu smiled like an eel in her mind’s eye.

She decided against knocking. The sliding door rattled open faster than it should have.

The lantern’s dim light revealed Tekkyn’s back to her as he stood near the prisoner. Very near, as if they’d been whispering.

Tekkyn jumped back at the sound of the door. His stature stiffened, then relaxed as he spotted her in the doorway. “Kira.”

What was he doing? Kira took a hesitant step inside. If her brother was continuing Sa’alu’s work by himself, she’d never look at him the same way again.

“I . . . thought you might like some dinner.” She moved to the table, avoiding the bloodstain as she unfurled her cloth. The rice cakes and cheese looked entirely unappetizing next to it.

“Thanks.” Tekkyn’s voice was smooth behind her as he approached.

Kira’s hackles rose. Her knife sliced the cheese in two, and she snatched the smaller chunk and a rice cake as she dodged to the side.

The prisoner was watching her with eyes like simmering embers. Just as terrifying as in the forest but somehow quelled. She looked away and swallowed, forcing herself to take a step toward him. He’s tied up like a wild hog. He can’t hurt me.

“What are you doing?” Tekkyn asked behind her.

Kira suddenly felt even more foolish. “Are you starving him too?”

Her brother was silent long enough to make her skin crawl. “Be careful.”

Kira stepped forward, putting her gaze on anything except the prisoner’s eyes. The trickle of blood down his stomach. It had dried over his chiseled muscles—nope, better not look there, either. She stared at the food in her hands, cursing herself for this stupid idea.

“I’m sorry about this,” she whispered.

He didn’t respond. Only the sound of Tekkyn chewing behind her disturbed the still barn.

Kira realized she’d spoken in her own language. “I’m sorry,” she blurted in Phoeran.

Silence.

Kira glanced up. He was staring at the food.

“Um, here.” She brought the rice cake up to his mouth in an awkward jerk. Please don’t bite me.

The prisoner grabbed the cake between his teeth and somehow got the whole thing in his mouth. He barely chewed before swallowing. “Sorry about your chickens.”

Kira blinked as she translated. Hesitant relief trickled through her as she cut a reasonably sized bite of cheese from the chunk and held it out.

He snatched it just as fast, wincing with the movement. He chewed slowly and closed his eyes.

Kira glanced over her shoulder at Tekkyn, who raised an eyebrow at her as he popped a bite into his mouth.

She felt herself flush and turned back around. “What were you doing on our land?” she whispered in Phoeran.

He didn’t respond. He seemed to savor the cheese before he swallowed.

Okay, bad question. I’m not interrogating him. “What’s your name?”

His eyes opened and found the rest of the cheese in her hand. “That’s really good.”

Kira hurriedly cut him another bite and offered it. He took it and closed his eyes again as if it might be the last thing he’d ever taste.

She squashed her disappointment. Of course he didn’t answer. What’d you expect?

“Ryon.”

Kira snapped out of her musing. “What?”

“My name is Ryon.” He eyed the rest of the cheese.

She sliced off a larger chunk this time. “Kiralau. I mean Kira.”

He took it. “I would say ‘nice to meet you,’ but . . .”

Good thing it was dark, because Kira felt like her cheeks were the color of a lobster. “I really am sorry for shooting you. I thought you were a trace cat.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He glanced at her with the faintest hint of a smirk.

Kira’s heart jumped into her throat. She tore her eyes away and took a step back, nearly dropping the last bite of cheese.

“Thanks for the food,” Tekkyn said behind her.

Kira turned, grateful for the distraction. “Sorry I didn’t bring more. I can—”

“That’s enough.” Tekkyn gestured at the door.

“He’s