Page 103 of Moon Chosen

“I believe you,” Nik told her. “I still don’t like how this find is adding up. I think we should torch the place before anyone goes inside.”

“Great bloody beetle balls! You’ve got to be fucking kidding,” Thaddeus exploded. “That’ll set us back days, maybe even weeks.”

“Being dead will set us back even further,” Nik said. He turned to Wilkes. “You know why you brought me along, and I’m telling you I’m seeing something here the others aren’t. It won’t hurt anything to torch it—let it burn—and then come back with more Warriors to stand guard while we scavenge the glass and metal.”

“Except the glass will most likely be ruined from the fire.” Thaddeus shook his head. “No. We do it Nik’s way and days will be wasted. The Tribe needs new nests now, not whenever Nik decides it’s safe enough to forage.”

“Nik, what is it you fear?” Wilkes asked.

“Yesterday Davis, O’Bryan, and I were ambushed by Scratchers. This,” Nik swept his arm out, taking in the big rusted rails, the strange rectangular pool, and the building that hulked above them, “feels like another ambush to me.”

“Nik, you know Scratchers never go in the city,” Crystal said gently.

“I don’t mean Scratchers. I mean Skin Stealers.”

“But we haven’t seen any sign of them,” Monroe said. “None at all.”

“That’s one of the things that has me worried,” Nik said. “Usually we catch at least a glimpse of one of their fires—or some poor dead creature they trapped, flayed alive, and then nailed up the leftover corpse like a trophy. Did anyone see any of those signs on their way here?”

As a group they shook their heads.

“Which could mean those carrion eaters have moved on—or inward—or just haven’t hunted near here lately,” Wilkes said. “That’s actually a good thing, Nik.” The Leader went to Nik and put his hand on his shoulder. “I understand what you’ve just been through. This was probably bad timing—to go back out so soon. I think it’s clouding your judgment, son.”

“I hope you’re right,” Nik said.

“I am. But let’s all stay aware. Listen to your canines. If they sense danger, alert everyone and get back to the kayaks,” Wilkes said. “Okay, Sheena, Crystal, this is your find. You get to lead the way.”

“Yippee!” Crystal cheered, causing Grace to jump around her joyfully. “Come on, my girl! Let’s go get our new window.”

29

Doing a little happy dance, Crystal stepped onto the first rail with Grace right behind her. The metal was so wide that the canine didn’t bobble at all, but padded easily after her Companion.

“We climbed up using this one, and down using the other,” Sheena explained. “So both are safe.”

“Okay, Monroe, you and Viper follow them, then Thaddeus and Odysseus. Odin and I will bring up the rear.” Wilkes glanced at Nik. “Are you coming or would you rather stay here?”

“I’ll go where you want me,” Nik said, scanning the area around them for any sign of what was making his skin crawl.Maybe Wilkes is right—maybe I did come out too soon.

“We have enough bows up there. Stay down here in case anything tries to sneak up on us,” Wilkes said.

“Will do,” Nik said.

“Hey, what’s the holdup, Sheena?”

Nik and Wilkes turned at Monroe’s question to see that Sheena’s Captain was pacing nervously back and forth beside the wide rail. His Companion was already standing on the rail, but the big Shepherd kept sending nervous looks down at the murky, reed-clogged water that lapped thickly below them.

“Come on, Captain, let’s go, big boy!”

Captain whined fretfully and didn’t follow her.

Sheena frowned, obviously baffled by her canine’s behavior. “What is it? You climbed up there like a champ just yesterday.” Sheena sent Wilkes a confused look. “I have no idea what’s going on with him. He’s not a big fan of water, but he’s never balked like this before.”

“What’s wrong?” Crystal called. She was midway up the rail, over what looked to be the deepest part of the pool.

“He feels worried—confused—even scared,” Sheena said. “But I don’t know why.”

Nik moved closer to Wilkes and said low, for his ears only, “Get Crystal and Grace back here. Captain is feeling what I am. Something’s wrong. We have to—”