Chapter 7

Ethan’s reserve seemed to ease indeed the next day. Once or twice during the march he came to her side and offered her water. Evie wondered whether he had to force himself hard to be sociable. Then when they made a stop he sat quite close to her again. The boys were grateful for the longer stop, too. None of them complained but Ethan was aware they must be a bit tired. Still he was itching to put distance between them and the base they left behind in the hands of rebels.

‘Juno hunted a leopard today.’ He said. ‘How do you like it?’

‘It's good.’ Evie answered cautiously.