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She left my embrace. "Stew is calling my name. I’m also doing a graveyard shift at the infirmary tonight to make up for lost time today."
"Stop for a moment. I’m not trying to hurt you."
"You don’t have to try." She backed away. Her eyes appeared to be glistening before she put her back to me and walked towards camp.
Chapter Fourteen
VARUS
Icouldn’t tell whichstung more, the serum coursing through my bloodstream or the fact I blew it and made Harper think I rejected her. At least the side effect from the serum would wear off. I may have caused irreparable damage with the latter.
Haper’s retreating form grew tinier as she marched off ahead. I was doing this for her protection so she wouldn’t end up attached to a feral monster. Why couldn’t she see that? While I stood there, figuring out what to say, she was getting a head start.
I jogged after her. Every muscle in my body suddenly hurt as though I'd been carrying slabs of limestone throughout the cavern all day. It was likely another fun side effect of this little miracle cure. I hoped it was a miracle, anyway.
I pushed on, not to be outdone by a syringe needle. As I turned to go towards the smell of food and the scent of Harper’s hair, Dremos cut me off at the pass.
"We have trouble. I just received a report that our patrol ran into Isath’s scouts."
"Where?"
"Three miles past the deep part of the canyon. The scouts were probably there because my cousin and Harper injured one of their own."
"Find Lerun and tell him to fortify the defenses around camp. Have the people take shelter in the cavern."
Dremos nodded. "What will you do?"
"I’m going out there to help the patrol. They’ll need reinforcements. Meet me when you’re finished."
He set out for my original destination to the cookfires. Armed with knowledge and a new purpose, I went to gather more troops to accompany me out to the ridge.
I didn’t go after Harper that night. There was no time when the enemy could get closer to camp. She wanted her space and I had to respect it. At least, that’s what I told myself. She’d likely give me the boot, anyway, proverbial or otherwise. Deep down, I knew the other reason why it was easier to select troops and go off to fight.
I was a coward. I could face Isath’s forces but not Harper’s feelings. If there was one thing I could do this night, it would be to guard her and the people in my charge, even if I was incapable of anything else.
***
