Free The Frenzy Series (Book 2): Frantic by Casey L. Bond

took over his iris, dilating as he approached. “Kidding, Tage.”
    “I know.” Someone was grumpy.
    “What’s for breakfast?”
    He smiled like a proud little boy, puffing his chest out. “I drained it and cleaned it for you.”
    From behind his back, he produced a silver charger plate. The animal had been skinned and my God, did it smell delicious. “What is it?”
    “Groundhog. He was digging along the river bank. Never even saw me coming until it was too late for him.”
    “That’s his problem.” I tore off a leg and began tearing away the meat, chewing. Blood and sinew filled my mouth in a medley that would have made me vomit as a human, but somehow was a delicacy now.
    Tage watched me in awe. “What?” I asked around a mouth full of food.
    He shook his head and sat down on the bottom of the mattress. “I don’t get it.”
    “Me either.”
    I noticed suddenly that I didn’t hear Roman or Dara in the house. “Where are the others?”
    “Carrying the trees to the carpentry shop.”
    My teeth hit animal bone and snapped it in two. I hated her being near Saul. I hated her, period. Whatever she was doing, it wasn’t because she was trying to be helpful. No night-walker ever volunteered to help a colonist do anything before. At least, I didn’t think so.
    “Your brows are touching. What are you thinking about?”
    “Why’d you bring me food?”
    “We’re going for a walk, and I thought it would be best for everyone if you went on a full stomach.”
    Good thinking on his part. “What about you? Did you get enough blood? I can share some.”
    “I’m good.”
    I devoured the rest of the groundhog in no time and while I cleaned up, Tage found my boots. Sitting in the chair, my fingers shook as I fumbled with the strings I’d tied a hundred times before. Looking up from the laces, I smiled; nerves trembling my lips. “Ready?”
    “It’s sunset. You’ll be okay.”
    “Does Roman know?”
    Tage’s smile fell. “He’s not my keeper.”
    “Well he sure seems to think he’s mine.” Leaping up from the bed, I looked at Tage. “Don’t let me hurt anyone,” I said softly.
    He shook his head. “Never.” Tage held his hand out, waiting for mine, and watched me with a guarded expression. When I slipped my hand into his, he smiled slightly. “I’ll take care of you.”
    “Since you claimed me and all?”
    Tage’s mouth opened and then closed abruptly. “Roman?” he guessed.
    “For the record, I’m glad it wasn’t him. He’s really intense.”
    Clutching his heart, he whined, “And I’m not?”
    “Not in the same way, no. Roman’s very possessive and entitled. You’re more intensely emotional, but I trust you. I trust you with me.”
    Tage squeezed my hand. “I won’t let you down.”
    I smiled.
    “Ready?” he asked.
    “I hope so.”

 
     

     
    Chopping down the trees was easy. With Dara helping, it took no effort at all to get them across the river. Roman came to help in the late afternoon, and Ford joined us on the Colony’s river bank to help. I think he was trying to avoid going home. He’d already finished his chores at the barn. Ford and I removed limbs while Roman tossed them into a pile, and then Dara would take the trunk to the shop. An awkward tension filled the air. No one spoke. No one laughed. Nothing.
    When evening came and the sun began to graze the tops of the western hills, I finally asked Roman, “How is she?”
    “Better.”
    “Can she feed?”
    His dark eyes narrowed. “She isn’t your concern anymore, Saul.”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    “It means she is a night-walker. You can’t be with her. You need to do your best to pretend she doesn’t exist anymore. She will do the same.”
    I swung the axe, embedding it into the trunk of the tree I’d finished working on. “She won’t just forget about me. She loves me and I love her. You can’t stop that, Roman.”
    He smirked. “I can and I will. Stand in my way, and I’ll let her