Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls - Jane Lindskold [7]
Betwixt whispers, “You were worried about Edelweiss, Sarah. Here’s your chance to make friends with her.”
I nod, but I am hearing the memory of Abalone’s triumphant cry “Beer and pizza!” She is looking hopefully at me and I point to her.
“Those having torches will pass them onto others,” I state.
Her bright smile is my reward.
After asking for Abalone and me to wait, Head Wolf walks among his people.
Some of the Pack members are clearly dressing—or undressing—for a night turning tricks. Head Wolf pats this one on the exposed cheek of her ass, straightens that one’s hair, sends another to change her blouse. Nor does he shirk the boys. Most of these are groomed to maximize their youth. Head Wolf carefully rouges one fair-haired boy’s cheeks. He sends another to redepilate his beard.
Across the Jungle floor, small teams are donning leather and spikes. I see the flash of blades and hear the dull clank of metal on metal. Many of these are as flamboyantly dressed as Abalone. While the prostitutes wear their wolf signs discreetly, this group has them blazoned on jackets, armbands, and jewelry.
My observations are halted by the return of Head Wolf. He gestures us into the tent.
“Come inside, Sarah. I need to explain to you how life in the Jungle works.”
We duck under the painted flap. The tent floor is thickly carpeted with rugs piled on each other. Pillows are heaped around the edges. Despite fresh air through net windows, the small space smells of sex.
My heart begins to beat faster and I am honestly not certain if what I feel is fear or anticipation. But Head Wolf merely lounges back on some of the pillows. Abalone sits cross-legged on the soft floor and I follow suit, placing Betwixt and Between in front of me.
When we are comfortable, Head Wolf begins his lessons. “In the Jungle, we follow the Law, as you have seen. And like any wolf pack, we must hunt to provide for ourselves and our people. The Law has several provisions for distribution of the kill. I have simplified these somewhat for our different circumstances.”
Abalone touches my arm. “Is he going too fast, Sarah?”
I shake my head.
“Even if I am,” Head Wolf replies, “Abalone will teach you.”
Abalone nods solemnly, her silver-and-shell earrings rattling softly as she does. Head Wolf continues.
“Simply, each of us must support our own needs. Moreover, I take a payment from each member to maintain the Jungle. With this I buy necessities, bribe police and social workers, and give rewards. New members are carried by the Pack for a week—although most begin to contribute sooner. After that, they must hunt for the Pack.”
My head is swirling with questions that I cannot ask. I want to be part of this Jungle, but how? I still fear the madness in Head Wolf’s eyes. Now he is the gentle teacher, but I sense brutality enforces his Jungle Law.
Abalone pipes up. “I checked her travel bag, Head Wolf. She has one other set of those awful clothes, a bit of soap and stuff like that, a slip that says she’s had all her shots, and this.”
She holds out my credit slip. Head Wolf takes it, inspects the numbers, and hands it back.
“Print coded,” he says. “A fair amount, but not generous. The Pack will carry her for the remainder of the week. After, if you pool your resources with hers, the next week’s fees can be handled. By then, you should find her something to do.”
Abalone nods. “Fair enough.”
Something flashes in the dark eyes at her words and she shrinks back.
Fawning, she rolls onto her back, exposing her throat and her bare breasts. Head Wolf straddles her and bites her throat, worrying the fragile skin. As he does so, he closes off her nose and mouth so that she cannot breathe.
I see Abalone’s hands curl, but she doesn’t whimper.
After a terrifying minute, he releases her. As she rolls upright, gasping for air, I see blunt teeth marks on her skin.
Head Wolf growls at her. “I am always fair.”
“You are always fair,” she agrees.
Trembling, I realize that she believes this.
Three
MY EARLY DAYS IN THE JUNGLE FLIT BY. ABALONE IS A GOOD Baloo, teaching