Chapter 24

"Come, Ciara, I must walk you back to the compound. I must rejoin my brothers or they will come to look for me if I am late," Christof said pointing back the way we'd come.

As we walked I took Christof's hand in mine. His presence was a blessing and I was glad for it.

"Why are you doing that?" he asked looking at our joined hands.

"Because I want to," I answered grinning.

He pushed me gently against a tree and ran a finger under my jaw. "Does it mean something?" he asked watching my eyes.

"On my planet when two people hold hands it's because they like each other," I said watching him.

"I like you too, Ciara," he said grinning at me. His face turned to a frown quickly, "My brothers, when they come, will probably just feed you."

"That's okay with me," I said, "I appreciate knowing someone understands."

We walked back to the Keeper's compound holding hands the whole way.

The other girls were dying to know why Christof too