Zhen found her mother near the western edge of the village.
Bai Yue was talking with Yàn Shū and one of the jaguar elders, a wiry woman with sharp eyes and a missing ear. They were discussing something serious, supplies, probably, or sleeping arrangements, but Zhen didn't care about any of that.
She stopped a few feet away. Zhen found her mother near the western edge of the village.
Bai Yue was talking with Yàn Shū and one of the jaguar elders, a wiry woman with sharp eyes and a missing ear. They were discussing something serious, supplies, probably, or sleeping arrangements, but Zhen didn't care about any of that.
She stopped a few feet away.
Her lower lip was trembling.
"Mama," she said.
Bai Yue turned. Her expression shifted immediately. "Zhen? What's wrong?"
Zhen's eyes were already wet. "I want to cry."
Bai Yue dropped whatever she was holding. She crossed the distance in two steps and knelt in front of her daughter, her hands cupping Zhen's face.
