Sundamar sucked in a deep breath, inhaling the tangy scent even though it had been diluted by water and multiple scrubbings. Many of Sonhadra’s predators could smell blood from leagues away, even if it was only several drops.
He reached for his sword, suddenly feeling the shadows under his feet.
“What’re you doing?” Yahiro watched him warily.
“We need to move.” He stood and checked the sky, the sun already on its way toward dusk.
“Why?” Yahiro rose with him and looked up where he had. “Is something wrong?”
“Ak’rena are coming.” Sundamar went about their camp and retrieved any wayward items.
“Those... those are the monsters that screech?”
“What’s a monster? Yes, the ak’rena screech.” He turned back toward her. “Can you travel? Are you hurt at all? Is there anything you need before we leave this spot?”I have no idea what you need.He waited for her response with apprehension and frustration. He hated that he didn’t know how to provide for her.
Yahiro looked down at herself, at Quist, and frowned. “Only him. I won’t leave without him.”
Sundamar felt his lips twitch up into a tiny smirk.‘This is going to hurt, brother.’He folded Quist’s wings in and hefted his body into his arms, cradling what he could. Feathers fell around him in trickling waves.
“Stay close.”
She stepped close to his side and gripped his armor. He wished he could feel her skin touch his. He wished he was holding her in his arms rather than his third.
“Yes, sir,” Yahiro whispered at his side, her heart pounding loud enough for him to hear. Sundamar canted his head toward her.
“You’re safe with me, pale one. The ak’rena are night prowlers and there is time yet, but once the lower light and twilight haze cover the land, they’ll awaken and come straight here, brought on by the bloodshed of this morning. I won’t risk you.”
Her grey eyes met his. “Promise?” she whispered.
“Promise?”
She latched onto him tighter. “Oath?”
Sundamar narrowed his eyes and nodded. “It’s an oath.”
Chapter Nine
