Two days later

The forested grounds of Highveld, Sahajia, Earth

Golden sunlight peppered the ground, dappled warmth upon my face, illuminating the undergrowth where I crouched beside Father. Silent, we waited, our attention fastened upon the clearing just ahead. Our rifles remained pointed at an overgrown spot on the stream bank. The breeze sighed through the stately canopy overhead, jilting the patches of sun into a shivery dance.

A twig snapped, and Father placed a tense hand on my arm.

"There he is," he whispered.

My heart thudded against my ribs, fingers tightened around the stock of my gun.

Leaves rustled and parted, and the sleek, mottled neck of an orbyx buck peered through the brush. He lifted his head, black nostrils twitching as he tested the air for the scent of predators. For our scent. Tall horns twisted upon his head, resembling the jumble of branches surrounding him. His tufted ears swiveled and searched for any sound, but we remained still as the stones. Only the rush of the water, the wind, the thud of the animal's hooves broke the absolute tranquility.

We huddled downwind, yet we used no scent neutralizers, no specialized tracking monitors or scopes. No modern aids augmented this hunt. I'd even deactivated all of the advanced sensor enhancements built into my glasses. Father had insisted we go primitive, using only our physical senses, our experience, and the most basic gear.

I aimed, sight lined down the barrel. Time froze, every muscle in my body alert.

The buck lowered his head to drink.

Father waved the signal. We fired in unison, a thunderous retort.

Eyes rolled white, the buck wheeled and sprang into the trees.

"Let's go." Father grinned, and we chased after our kill.

My boots drummed the ground, branches whipping past me. Breath circled hot and quick through my lungs. My Sight flared with glimpses of the Otherworld as I ran. Duke bayed at my side, and I raised my lupine nose to the sky. A hunter across the realms. My spirit howled sheer joy in the thrill of pursuit.

A trail of scarlet blood led us out of the forest, and onto the vast savanna. Golden grass billowed waist high to the horizon. Only sporadic baobal trees broke the pure expanse. In the distance, Highveld straddled the rolling hills, overlooking our private preserve.

The buck bounded to the top of a low rise, then stumbled. He bellowed a plaintive cry, answered by the squawk of scattering birds. Father and I reached our prey, maintaining careful distance from the thrashing hooves and horns. One bullet wound gaped in the beast's neck, another through the shoulder. Death was certain, but suffering wasn't our way.

"The kill is yours, son," Father said, hand at my back.

I nodded, cocked my rifle, and brought the end with a swift shot to the creature's heart. I wanted the skull for my trophy wall, thus avoided damaging it.

The buck sighed, shuddered, and slumped to his fate. Blood pooled around him, a rich smell exciting my senses.

Father knelt beside the carcass and drew his knife. The long, serrated blade glinted in the sun. "I'll start dressing it, if you'll fetch the horses."

"Of course." I shouldered my gun, and trudged back to camp. It wasn't far, nestled in the copse of trees we'd come from. Our three horses snorted at my approach, hobbled beside the canvas tent. I mounted Knickers, my own docile gelding, and snapped the leads to the others. A gentle nudge of my heels brought Knickers to a steady trot.

Father had the buck near skinned by the time I returned. The horses snorted and tossed their heads, nervous at the scent of death. I scraped the hide while Father finished the butchering, and we tied our prize to the back of the pack mare. A flock of carrion birds swirled overhead, waiting to feast on the innards we left behind for them.

"A fine catch." Father swung a leg over his saddle and clucked his tongue to his horse. "We make a formidable team, as always."

I climbed onto Knickers. "You said it best years ago. It runs in our blood."

"True it is." Father chuckled. "Orbyx is gamey meat, but let's roast it anyway. We'll live off the land tonight. The head and hide will be splendid additions to your collection."

I couldn't agree more.

We rode back to camp, and prepared for our last evening of the trip. Father had insisted it just be the two of us, a chance for us to be together after my months away. The Forsyths remained at the estate. It had been a wonderful excursion, renewing my spirits, and distracting me from how much I missed Tamsin.

As night fell, I tended to the horses, and Father kindled our fire. We hung the orbyx carcass from a nearby tree, and wrapped it in a preservation cover to sustain its freshness and mask the scent from predators. Stars soon blazed through the opening in the canopy above. Father spitted a haunch over the crackling flame, and we settled to enjoy the rewards of our hunt.

Afterward, we lounged by the fire, boots and gear packed for the evening. We extended our bare feet to the fire's warmth, smudged with the dirt and sweat of two days without a bath. We looked like a pair of barbarians from simpler days. Father gave me a cigar, and we puffed side by side, sprawled on the ground. The waxing Moon eased into view like a perfect mirror.

"It puts things in perspective being out here with you, watching our home rise in the sky," Father said. "With so much work to do of late, it's easy to forget the things which matter most."

I exhaled a long plume, smoke wavering before the Moon's silver gleam. "I've needed a hunt for too long. It's good for the soul."

He sat up and poked the fire. "Chamberlayne is a respectable institution, but I've worried about you being here on the homeworld."

I propped myself onto one elbow to face him. "Because of the War?"

His gaze bored into me, reflecting orange and red licks of flame. "Yes. Things aren't looking good on the front. To be honest, the Kaezer has the upper hand. The latest reports aren't promising for the free nations. I've considered bringing you home to Luna for the coming year."

I coughed, startling the nearby horses. "But...Michigattan is far from the border, and the Amerixcan National Guard has reinforced defenses after the recent setback. You have nothing to worry about. I'll be fine."

His smile didn't hide his concern. "I know you like it there. And, aside from your recent carelessness with the broken lamps at Blakely, you've exceeded all of my expectations."

It was the first time he'd brought up the damages, and I fidgeted. "I'm sorry for that. It was an accident I won't repeat."

He laughed. "It's the least of my cares. When I was your age, I caused a similar incident when I tried to impress my friends in my dorm room. We're more alike than you may realize in that department."

"Truly." I grinned and shook my head. As much as I wanted to tell him the truth, he wouldn't understand about Levay. Mother, however, would hear the whole story when she returned from the mission with Castor.

Father stood and wandered to the edge of camp to relieve himself, then returned with a solemn expression. "I won't take you away from Chamberlayne unless things become dire. You're doing well, and it's obvious you want to stay. But be aware, I won't allow you to remain in a dangerous situation."

"I understand."

He patted my arm. "So, tell me, have any pretty Earth girls caught your fancy?"

A subject I dreaded, but I played along. "There's a few, but I'm far too busy with studies."

"Now you sound even more like I did at your age." His laughter rolled through the flickering shadows. "You're young, and you have a drive for success. Just don't let your head cloud the finer enjoyments for too long."

"I won't." My smirk was a subtle attempt to disguise the truth. I'd indulged far more than I could tell him, and it had to stay that way for now. How would I reveal my love for the heir of our family's nemesis, when the moment came? It was best not to think of it. There was time to plan and prepare still. I hoped he'd understand, as I wanted only Tamsin. Call it a foolish notion, but the wishes of my heart were sincere.

He crushed his cigar, and tossed the butt into the fire. One eyebrow arched as he observed me. "Miss Forsyth watches you with big puppy eyes when you're not looking. She sat very close to you at dinner the other night, as well."

Damn. He would have to bring that up. I cleared my throat. "I haven't noticed. She's a nice girl, but--"

"You should pay more attention. Imogen is a charming young lady, in more ways than one. And I daresay, a union between our family and the Forsyths would be advantageous. They've been supporters of Blane Industries since its foundation, and it would be a formidable alliance."

Numb trepidation seized me. "Are you suggesting I...pursue her?"

He laughed again, throwing his head back in mirth. "The look on your face gives it all away. You like her, don't you?"

How mistaken he was. A hot blush rose, but not because I was enamored of Imogen. I remembered Tamsin's statement when we'd first confessed our desire for each other. She'd warned me of this, my parents urging their hopefuls upon me like trinkets on a string. I'd have none of it, but I had to tread carefully to maintain my secret, and my will. "Miss Forsyth is very pretty. But I'm not ready for that sort of thing right now, as I said. I have too many important obligations."

"Of course, of course. I'm just giving you a hard time, son. You'll make your own mind up about such things. I know you all too well."

He was right on that point, and I grinned.

"Anyways, let's get some sleep. We have much work and preparation ahead for the Yule party. I'll need your help with several things, if you don't mind."

"Certainly. Just let me know what you require."

He winked. "There's much in store. I have a momentous announcement to make after the holiday dinner. It's a surprise, and I won't tell you what it is. Everything in our lives is about to change for the better."

I could only guess what his revelation might be. We slept beneath the stars, rolled in our blankets as the fire sputtered to embers. Father's snores sawed into my brain. His cajoling about Imogen troubled me. All had been light-hearted, but his intent was undeniable. He approved of Imogen as a potential wife for me. In fact, he might already be planning it for the distant future. An alliance with the Forsyths would be fortuitous, but I vowed to fight my part in it with every whit of my being.

'They'll bend you into what they want.'  Another of Tamsin's former observations haunted my thoughts.

Never. No one would shape me unless I allowed it. My beloved and I were perfect for each other, and I'd sacrifice, cheat, and maneuver things how I wanted them to be. Sleep eluded me until dawn. When I finally dozed off, I dreamed I was a marauder of ancient times, arming myself to battle for my very life.