Page 73 of Moon Chosen

“That’s why you always look so dirty.” Sora raised her hands, stopping Mari’s words. “No, that’s not a question. It’sjustan observation. And you haven’t answered my original question—or at least not all of it.”

“At first Mama didn’t name me her heir because my powers were too unpredictable. That started to change when Rigel came to me, mortally wounded. And then I drew down the moon without Mama’s help and Washed Xander and Jenna—and I healed Mama, too. Still, I was as surprised as you were when she told you she was naming me her apprentice in addition to you.”

“You didn’t know?”

Mari shook her head. “No. I had no idea she was going to do that. We’d talked about it, but she thought it would be too difficult for me to be parted from Rigel.”

Sora’s gaze flicked to the pup. “Why?”

“He and I are bonded. It’s not good for either of us to be apart.” Mari hugged Rigel, smiling at her pup as he thumped his tail and licked her. “When a canine chooses his Companion it’s for life.”

“Great Goddess! That monster is why the Hunters attacked the Gathering!”

“Don’t call him a monster! And it’s not Rigel’s fault that some guy who doesn’t have his own canine is obsessed with him,” Mari said.

“But I’m right, aren’t I? He’s what the Hunters were tracking, and not us.”

“That’s another question, and you said you only had one more. I’m done answering. Now it’s time to figure out what I’m going to do about you,” Mari said.

Sora grinned. “That’s easy! There’s nothing to figure out because there’s only one thing to do. I’m going to live in your burrow with you.” She paused and her smile faded as she looked at Rigel. “Does he stay inside all the time?”

“Sora, you’renotgoing to live with us. Yes, Rigel stays with me—all the time.”

“Well, that’s going to be inconvenient and more than a little frightening. I suppose it can’t be helped, though. You’re going to have to figure out a way to get him not to make those terrible sounds at me, or show his teeth,orbite me of course.”

“Are you really a man? Do you have Night Fever?”

“Of course not and no.”

“Then you’re just crazy. There is absolutely no way you’re going to live with Rigel and me,” Mari said.

“Okay, I didn’t want it to have to be this way, but you’re not giving me any choice. Mari, If you don’t let me live with you I’m going to tell the entire Clan who you really are—and about Rigel and how you and he are responsible for the latest attacks from the Companions. Your burrow is hidden, but how long do you think it, and you, will remain undiscovered if an entire Clan, mad with Night Fever, is searching for you?”

“I won’t let you do that. I won’t let you leave here,” Mari said, getting to her feet. Rigel, always in tune with her emotions, stood beside her, growling menacingly at Sora.

“You’ll have to kill me to keep me here,” Sora said. “And, since the day you threatened me, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. We’ve never been friends, and I don’t know you very well, but I don’t believe you’re a killer.”

“I may not be a killer, but I can’t say the same about Rigel,” Mari bluffed.

“You said he wouldn’t eat me.”

“I didn’t say he wouldn’t kill you,” Mari said.

“I’m going to bet that he won’t. Oh, I believe he can hurt me, maybe even kill me, but I don’t think you’ll let him,” Sora said.

“And why wouldn’t I?”

“Because you’re Leda’s daughter and you’re better than that,” Sora said. “Look, Mari, this can be a good thing for all of us. I’ll only stay with you long enough for you to teach me what you know about drawing down the moon. Once I can be a proper Moon Woman for the Clan I’ll leave.”

“But you said your burrow was destroyed,” Mari said.

“It was. Help me make my own hidden burrow. Please. I’ll live there then, and go about the business of caring for the Clan. You can go about the business of whatever it is you want to do with the rest of your life.”

“How do I know you won’t betray me, won’t tell the Clan about Rigel and me?”

“I won’t betray you if you don’t betray me. You’ll be the only person in the Clan who knows the location of my new burrow. If you don’t tell anyone my secret, I won’t tell anyone yours.”

Mari studied her. “Here’s what I don’t get—why are you so eager to be the Clan’s Moon Woman? If you think it’s an easy job, you’re wrong. It’s hard and exhausting and it never, ever ends.”