Page 160 of Moon Chosen

The current in the Channel was unpredictable and could be difficult to traverse, but it hadn’t rained for almost a week and the river was down and sluggish. Nik made good time to the dock, where he quickly tied the kayak, and then hurried to the first of the floating houses.

All was dark and quiet within. He glanced at the door and the thick metal rod that barred it shut from the outside. No, he wouldn’t open it unless he knew Jenna was inside. Nik went to the window and peered inside between the wooden bars.

He’d been wrong. All was dark, butnotquiet within. This close, he could hear soft sobs, muffled moans, and low keening that sounded as unending as the wind.

“Jenna? Jenna, are you in there?” Nik called.

There was a scrambling sound from within as the mounds on the floor shifted and formed into individuals. Pale, silver-tinged faces turned in his direction.

“Jenna! Is there a Jenna inside?”

“Not our male!” Came an angry voice. “Go away!”

“I’m looking for an Earth Walker named Jenna. I have to find her,” Nik said. “Please, it’s an emergency.”

The women turned their backs to him and the muffled sounds of despair began anew. Nik was moving away from the window when a whispered voice stopped him.

“Are you going to hurt her?”

Nik grasped the wooden bars in his hands and squinted through the darkness to see the small, round face of a girl looking at him through gray eyes.

“No.” He spoke softly so as not to rouse the other women. “I wouldn’t hurt Jenna. I need her help.”

“Do you keep your word?”

“I try to. What is your name?”

“Isabel. What is your name?”

“Nik.” He smiled at her. “Isabel, I give you my word that I won’t hurt Jenna, and I won’t let anyone else hurt her either.”

“I’ll remember you, Nik. If you break your word the Earth Mother will know.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Nik said.

“She’s in the last house.”

“Thank you!” Before he turned away he reached through the bars and offered his hand to her, which she took in her small, thin one. “Things are going to change for you. That I promise, too.”

Isabel’s smile was sad and disbelieving. Silently, she lay down and curled into herself.

Nik limped down the dock to the last house. He unbarred the door and stepped inside. Faces turned in his direction and he spoke quickly, with authority.

“Jenna! It’s Nik. Where are you?”

There was a rustling sound as a mound of blankets moved, and then Jenna was blinking up at him.

“Nik?”

He hurried to her, stepping carefully over or around the scattered bodies of weeping women. Nik held out his hand. “Come with me.”

She only hesitated for an instant, then she held up her hand. Nik grasped it, pulled her to her feet, and taking her elbow he began guiding her through the room.

They’d almost made it to the door when hands scrabbled for him, pulling at his pants, trying to stop him. Cries lifted from all around him.

“No!”

“Don’t take her!”