“We don’t know.” He ripped his head free. “If I can’t be concerned, then I don’t know, and neither do you.”
They had argued more after that, while Ono looked on, giving occasional annoyed grunts. But Hunter had known he would get his way eventually. He knew now that no matter what she said, Evie wouldn’t risk letting him die.
She had refused to ride next to him at first, insisting on running alongside the creature. But she could not keep up with its long, six-legged strides, and after much barking by Ono that she was slowing them down, she had finally agreed to sit. Hunter had tried to speak to her once after that. The sound she made in response reminded him of the tales his tribesmen told of the noise of bears preparing to strike.
“Ono?” Hunter said, turning his attention from his sist
