My heart squeezes painfully.
I verbally want to argue and stomp around and cry for him to stay here with me. I physically want to shield over him and protect him from whatever is out there.
But the moment Kain nods to Chaos, he walks out to the door.
As if Kain can sense my dreading emotions, he pulls me against his chest. He eases my anxiety the longer he holds me in his arms.
“Don’t ever risk your life for ours, Arlow.” Authority tinges his words but I never reply. His lips seal to mine slowly. My heart beats for him; a beat of fluttering love and a beat of sputtering annoyance.
He and I both know I’ll never agree to his ridiculous and insufferable demands.
Thirteen
Those Damn Candles
Days passand the community is still on high alert. The shifters continue to patrol the area. The tension grows so high, a serious meeting is called.
A meeting that discusses a fucking party far longer than they even talked about the actual incident that led us here.
“I just don’t think a bizarre happenstance should ruin a tradition,” Brylee says from her spot at the front of the crowd. “I madeone thousandcandles.”
Her father blinks at her from where he stands at the front like he has no idea how to rationally argue with the hard facts. One Thousand candles have been made. What’s a guy to do?
Dozens of us stand congregated around his enormous house, waiting in the wide span of the dusty road. Pink shutters are the only thing that take away from the serious setting. Lord Carlin, his second in command, Skovence, and Kain stand slightly above us all on the front porch.
“Yes, we all protect our traditions but this is not the time for tradition. A young girl was buried yesterday. Her family is in mourning and our guard must remain intact.” Everything about Carlin is proper. Stern and to the point.
Kain nods. A few others murmur their agreement. The sound of understanding hums through the group.
Except for that little fucking shit at the front.
“I hand dippedone thousandfuchsia candles, Father.”
“You should probably redo them anyway since the color of the Fire Festival is red not pink. And there’s only four hundred and three villagers, stop over achieving, my child,” Agatha’s pipes up from my side.
Chaos’ arm shakes against mine as he suppresses a laugh. Rime’s gaze shines with that cruel amusement as his hands casually slip into his pockets. Sinister’s smirk deepens to show off those perfect dimples, and the three of them really hold it together compared to the few men in the back who are openly snickering.
Blonde hair trembles around her beautiful but furious features as Brylee turns to look at the oddly accurate mage standing to her left. I’ve never seen big blue eyes look so angelic and so hateful all at the same time. I mentally try to imagine if Agatha’s random head count is correct, but it’s a pointless thing to think about since deep down I know she’s more than accurate with her sight.
“It’s fu-chsia. And Natalie made them with me. For weeks she crafted them with love.” An idea flits across the manic woman’s face and then she speaks louder, her steps bringing her to stand on the porch directly in front of her father. “This year’s Fire Festival will be held in her memory. We will light the candles of her heart and we will forever remember Natalie …” Her voice dwells down for a quiet moment before her father takes a step closer and whispers in her ear.
“NatalieThullman.” I hear him mumble.
“Natalie Thullman. Tomorrow night at dusk we will honor the memory of our sweet Natalie Thullman with one thousand beautiful candles.”
From behind her, a heavy sigh falls from Kain’s lips as he pushes his hand down his face. Skovence exchanges a glance with his leader but Brylee’s father never speaks up.
At least, he never says what we all know he should.
“That’s a lovely gesture, Bry. You’re a sweet child.” With beaming pride Carlin looks out to his astounded crowd. “We will shorten this year’s festivities, though, as a precaution. I want everyone safely inside before midnight. Your safety is my greatest concern.”
“Is it?” Sinister whispers quietly to no one in particular.
“I want our men to stay on high alert.” Kain’s voice booms over us, lines of frustration tighten his jaw as he steps past Carlin, nearly shoving Brylee right off her damn pedestal of a stage. “Do not wander tomorrow night. Stay as a group. Fuckingdo notunderestimate this threat.” His voice lowers to a growl as he walks off and leaves his alpha staring after him.
His hand slips in mine and I start walking the moment he’s close.
“I need to prepare. We’re not ready for this shit,” Kain whispers, and once we’re near his house with the span of the dirt road separating him from everyone else he stops.
