I'm just drunk. I'm sorry" With that, she turned and fled to her room, leaving her father alone in the kitchen. What had bought that on? He shook his ...ead. She was still young, and he suspected this was the first time she'd had alcohol outside of family gatherings. Forcing the issue wouldn't help. Maybe it was boy troubles? Surely that would be due to start one day, perhaps that could have caused this little outburst? Either way, she always talked to him about her problems. He'd just have to. He tapped his middle finger against the crease between the lips a few times. He pulled his hand out from between her legs. When Lauren started to lower her leg, Fletcher shook his head. He wiped the finger across Lauren's lips, watching as her tongue involuntarily came out to lick her lips. Fletcher's smile grew as he put his finger in his mouth, sucking her juice off."Do you like the taste of your honey, darlin'?" He watched Lauren nod, then said, "I like it too." He returned his hand to. She reached out and took the toy into her hand....still marveling at its shape....contour, texture. Again shelooked into his eyes, then over her shoulder at the door.:I promise....no disturbances till you tell me it's alright."....then he made a "boy scout" hand sign...andcrossed his heart. She couldn't help but giggle."Always prepared?" she mewed/"Always" he chortled.As she brought the tip of the toy below the side of the table slightly out of the line of his sight, she heardhim ask."Do you. Earlier, you told me that ‘others would take your place’ when you failed to kill me. What did you mean by that, exactly?”“There are other tribes besides my own,” she replied, clearing the obstacle with far more grace. “There are other villages, with other warrior-shamans. When I failed in my task, the Shaman sent word to them, asking them for help.”“Hang on,” Caden said, his blood running cold. “You mean to tell me that there may be more like you coming after me? More warriors armed with.