Read Online The Marine's Queen by Susan Kelley - Free Book Online Page B

long, thin wedges. The marines ate as eagerly as Glory who settled herself beside Roz. The taciturn soldier pulled out his own wicked knife and cut the little girl’s slice into smaller pieces.
    Callie munched on a sweet slice while watching Joe and the doctor as they retreated to the back of the cave. Kam carried a small lantern to where they stood with their backs to the others.
    Callie worked her way over, finding the cave much smaller with all of them inside.
    The doctor spoke to Joe in a scolding tone. “It’s not like you to be so foolish, Joe.”
    Joe didn’t answer.
    Callie pushed in between Kam and Webb. She almost dropped her applenut. Joe’s hand and forearm were covered with red welts and blisters. “What happened?”
    Webb dabbed a fragrant ointment on Joe’s injuries. “I guess you don’t know how you harvest applenuts.”
    “ They grow on cacti in desert regions.” Callie pushed Joe’s sleeve out of the way as Webb continued his ministrations up the soldier’s arm.
    Webb frowned as he treated a particularly nasty welt. “They’re carnivorous cacti and use the fruit to attract prey. They capture their food with long, stinging tentacles.”
    Callie could see Joe’s other hand had nearly as much damage. “Why did you risk that?”
    Joe looked beyond her.
    Callie followed the direction of his stoic gaze.
    Glory’s pout was gone, replaced by giggles and a sticky grin. The other women smiled and talked quietly. They looked content.
    All the troubles that waited for her on Giroux seemed so far away. The marines hung back a little, their postures not quite relaxed. They remained on guard.
    Callie turned back to Joe. “Thank you. Not just for the fruit, but for the haven.”
    * * * *
    “ Where are they going?” Callie asked Webb as the marines loaded the boarks. She gestured toward Vin and Tar who were putting nothing but water sacks and their compact insulated bedrolls on their mounts.
    “ Ask Joe. I’ve been with these guys for over two years, but that doesn’t mean they tell me their plans.”
    Callie wondered about the irony she detected in Webb’s tone, but he smiled and walked away to speak with Riba. Unlike the soldiers, the doctor loved being around the baby.
    Joe gave Callie a wary glance as she approached. She’d missed his warmth during the night, but the presence of the newcomers made her reluctant to seek him out for some reason.
    “ Where are Vin and Tar going?” Callie asked.
    “ To get the things you left behind.” Joe kept working on the straps and buckles forming the boark’s harness.
    “ Oh.” Callie watched him, trying to think of another question to justify her presence.
    “ Queen Adell.” Yalo loped over to join them. “I’m going with them.”
    Joe turned from his task at her words. “Why?”
    Callie watched his face, recognizing the minute change in his expression as a frown.
    Yalo shrugged. “We left in a hurry. I can make sure they get everything we need.”
    Callie pulled Yalo aside. “What are you up to?”
    Yalo looked over her shoulder and led Callie a few steps further from Joe. “I want to keep an eye on them. They’ve been too helpful. And I want to make sure they don’t disable our beacon.”
    “ I don’t like you being out there alone.”
    “ And I don’t like you being with them without my protection, but someone should go with them.”
    Joe walked over to speak with Vin and Tar. They stood close together and sent serious glances toward the women.
    “ Go with them, Yalo. I agree they’re up to something. Be careful.”
    * * * *
    Having enough well-rested boarks made the last part of the trip to Camp Haven a quick journey. Joe turned from his lead position and surveyed his caravan. Roz had gone ahead, taking forward scout position though there was little chance of trouble. Kam rode rear guard.
    The women looked around as they rode. The sea of green drew one’s eyes after days in the white emptiness of the desert. The trees provided