The Night Is Found by Kat Kruger

Author:Kat Kruger [Kruger, Kat]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: paranormal, monsters, science fiction, science & tecnhnology, people & places, Europe
Publisher: Fierce Ink Press
Published: 2014-07-21T16:00:00+00:00

11. SKIN TO BONE

I find Marrock on his own in the great room, standing with his back toward me as he gazes out a window at the rising sun. His hands are clasped behind his back, his feet spread shoulder width apart, like a soldier at ease. He’s dressed in a tailored black pinstripe suit. He doesn’t have to turn around for me to know that he’s wearing a silver tie with a floral pattern embroidered on it in a violet thread, because I’m wearing exactly the same outfit. The suit was left on my bed for me while I was out with the Wilds last night. I’ve worn uniforms before, at school, but this is different. This is more akin to being invited to stand in at a wedding last minute. And here I am without a plus one.

Marrock cocks his head slightly as I enter the room. “You don’t take direction well, do you?”

“I’m a leader, not a follower.”

He glances over his shoulder. “That why you’re wearing the monkey suit?”

“That’s what it takes to live in this Nineteen Eighty-Four world of yours, isn’t it?”

His shoulders tense, then he brings his feet together and turns on his heels to face me with military precision. “You’ve been out here the whole of not even one day and you think you got it all figured out?”

“Not even remotely,” I answer, “but I do think your system isn’t everything you claim it is. You say there are seven territories. All I see is a zoo — only your animals aren’t animals.”

“You want to go hug it out with them?” Even though we both know it’s a rhetorical question, he leaves enough of a pause for his words to sink in.

“Keeping them in the dark about the outside world isn’t going to do them any favors when the Luparii come calling,” I note. “And when they do this sanctuary will become a hunting reserve to them. Open season isn’t as far off as you’d like to think.”

He doesn’t say a word, just stands listening with an amused expression. I’ve probably said too much. Even after I’m done, he’s quiet and just grins smugly. Just when I’ve had about enough, he says, “You heard of Sun Tzu?”

My head rattles at the sudden change in tack. “Sure. The Art of War.”

“Yeah. He was one of the greatest military minds any civilization’s ever known. You know how he came to serve his king?”

I shake my head.

“The king had heard about him and wanted to test out his abilities. So he challenges Sun Tzu to train his harem, of all things, and turn them into soldiers. All 180 of them. Tells him to treat them no different than regular soldiers. Challenge accepted, Sun Tzu divides the women into two companies. The command of each troop goes to the king’s two favorite concubines. Sun Tzu explains the commands for marching, but when the drum signals are given they stumble around and burst out laughing like it’s a big joke.

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