Free Shifting Currents by Lissa Trevor Page B

in her way.
    “Maya said she wanted you to share her cabin since the Techs’ cabins are now inhospitable.”
    “That’s not necessary,” Bethany said. “I can pitch a tent with the rest of the tribe.”
    “You, uh, can also share mine.” He looked at her left eyebrow or maybe it was the interesting branch above her head.
    “Maya said.”
    “What?”
    “You forgot to add Maya said after your last sentence. Now, if you would please get out of my way. I have some business to discuss with those gentlemen over there.”
    “I’m sorry, Bethany. We’re not supposed to let you do that.”
    Lisa bared her teeth at the wolves.
    “I don’t believe this.”
    “I’m sure it’s just a misunderstanding,” Lem said. “Once you and Maya talk things out, I know everything will be all right. Please? It’s just that you’re too valuable to our tribe to have you leave us. Especially since everyone is going to be after the remaining Techs to go to their tribes.”
    “Maya doesn’t own me. I’m not a slave,” Bethany said, kicking out at George as he tried to herd her by nipping at her ankle. Lisa almost got his ear the next time he tried it.
    Lem looked flustered. “I know. And we don’t want to hurt you.”
    “Why would you hurt me?”
    Lem turned red. “I’m just following Maya’s orders. She said to get you into the cabin and keep you there until it’s time to go home.”
    “Are you going to force me to stay there against my will?”
    “She didn’t say.” Lem shifted uncomfortably. “But, yeah, I think so. It’s for your own protection, though.” He brightened up.
    “No. It’s for the good of the tribe,” Bethany said bitterly.
    “See, I told her you would be reasonable.” He offered her his hand.
    Bethany shifted her backpack so she could reach inside. She came up with the .45 and pointed it at Lem. “I am reasonable. Reasonably sure I can kill you in cold blood, and because I’m a Tech and you’re a farmer, I’d get off with a slap on the wrist. How do you like them apples?”
    Lem looked at the wolves.
    “They might throw my aim off. But I’m aiming for your torso. It’s a big target. Bottom line, at this range I’m going to hit you. It’s going to hurt, and you’re going to be recovering for a long time. That is, unless you get an infection from where they cut you open to take out the bullet. Ask yourself, is it worth it?”
    Lem put up his hands and backed away. “I’m not your enemy here. We just want to keep you safe.”
    “You just want to keep me,” Bethany said. She backed away from Lem, and he let her go, but the wolves kept at her heels. She wasn’t dumb enough to think she could stop the both of them, but as they currently didn’t have thumbs, she could resist their herding techniques. And she was pretty sure George and Steven knew she hadn’t taken the safety off the pistol.
    “Okay, okay, don’t shoot,” Lem said.
    “The three of you need to get out of my sight,” Bethany said.
    “Maya’s orders say…”
    “Stuff her orders. You leave me alone, or I’m out of here. I will leave the tribe, and there is nothing you can do short of force to stop me.”
    Lem looked away. “Okay, guys, heel.”
    “They aren’t dogs,” Bethany snarled. “They’re people just like you.”
    “Not like me,” Lem said. “I’m just a farmer, remember?”
    He turned his back on her and strode away. George and Steven didn’t move.
    “I mean it, you two. I will shoot you.”
    George growled.
    Lisa growled back.
    “It doesn’t have to get ugly, guys. Just give me some breathing room.”
    Steven barked, and they backed off to the far end of the camp.
    “I think that’s as good as we’re going to get,” Bethany said to Lisa. “Can you find Lucas?”
    Lisa looked to the sky and howled.
    “Oh, shush.” Bethany laid her hand on Lisa’s muzzle. “It’s not that bad.”
    But when she looked back for George and Steven, they were gone.
    “Lady Tech!” The farmer she had