Tiger and the Unicorn by Susan Hayes

Author:Susan Hayes [Hayes, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Black Scroll Publications Ltd.

She woke to the sound of birdsong and hushed voices. It took her a few seconds to remember where she was, followed by a full-body blush as she remembered who she’d spent the night with. Not that he was with her now. She was alone in their little lovenest, though judging by the freshly built up fire, Sergei hadn’t been gone long.

Her spare clothes were set out on top of her backpack. He might not have the best communication skills in the world, but sometimes actions really did speak louder than words. Her stuff was dry enough to wear, so she donned her inner layers, then crawled out of the shelter and finished dressing where she had room to stand. If the rest of the camp was awake, she needed to get ready. No way she’d be the reason they fell behind schedule.

It wasn’t long past dawn, and the forest still held that sense of newness that came with the rising of the sun. Colours deepened, shadows faded, and everything smelled fresh and bright. All that was missing was the smell of coffee and this morning would be perfect. She sighed and wondered if there was a Tim Horton’s on the route back to the academy. She’d bribe the bus driver with everything in her bank account if he’d stop long enough for her to get a double-double coffee. A large one. Did they sell coffee in buckets?

It took her uncaffeinated brain longer than it should have to register the rising voices coming from the far side of the camp.

“When did it start?” Sergei was demanding in a voice that was pure alpha male.

“After midnight,” Guy replied weakly.

“It was those fucking MRE’s. They were disgusting, and now we’re sick!” Joshua whined.

Tabi trudged over to find out what was going on. She didn’t get far before her nose wrinkled and her stomach tried to curl in on itself. They were sick alright, and the proof of it was stinking up half the campsite. Gross.

Everyone was up and standing in a loose circle around Joshua and Guy’s shelters without getting too close. Not even Janice was braving the stench. She stood near Annie, her expression a mix of worry and annoyance.

Sergei stood between the two miserable cadets as they sat hunched outside their shelter. “You both ate your MRE’s last night?”

They nodded.

“And nothing else?”

Tabi saw the two of them exchange a look, and they both shook their heads. “Nothing.”

“Then we’re going to have to chuck the other meals. We can’t take the risk of anyone else getting sick.” He looked at the others. “Did anyone else eat theirs?”

Janice raised her hand. “Me. I had half of mine.”

“And how are you feeling?”

The coyote shifter shrugged. “I’m fine. That stuff was barely edible, but I don’t think it’s what’s making them sick.”

Joshua hissed. “Janice, don’t.”

The pretty blonde glowered back at him. “You think the rest of the group should lose their rations because you two idiots ate crap from a gas station vending machine? I told you it was a bad idea.

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