The mindspace descends into absolute chaos.
“The Silent One? Him?”
“He did not bring shiny rocks. He did not do the blinking or teeth baring. He just… lurked.”
“Is lurking the key? I have been teeth baring. Have I been doing it wrong?”
I press my lips together.Don’t laugh. Do not laugh.
They drift toward us, a tide of golden muscle forming a loose huddle in our wake.
They are studying Sarven with the intensity of scholars. One male, Keth, actually stops smiling mid-stride and attempts tomimic Sarven’s trademark scowl, glancing around to see if any human females notice his new “dark and mysterious” energy.
Sarven’s mental presence flares with a mix of insufferable smugness and possessive irritation. He steps a fraction closer, body angling subtly to cut off their view of me.
“Mine,” he projects outward, a low, rolling growl that vibrates the very air. “Back.”
The crowd shuffles back a step, but they don’t leave. They just stare harder.
“He caught one,” one transmits, sounding almost tearful. “There is hope for the grumpy ones.”
I bite the inside of my cheek until it hurts to keep from cackling.
Kol is there by the central fire, back straight. Kelvan stands nearby, looking remarkably solid for someone who recently had a mountain try to eat him. His leg is wrapped in fiber, but, remarkably, he’s standing. Haroth stands by his side and Zan lurks just behind them, arms folded, expression carved out of stone.
But before we can reach the leadership, the blockade hits.
“Mikaela!”
It’s a shriek that echoes off the ceiling.
Pam is the first to break ranks, launching herself from the group near the fire. Erika is right behind her, looking grimly relieved, with Jacqui and Justine trailing close, their expressions a mix of delight and something I feel in the mindspace. Recognition.
Sarven’s arm finds my waist and tightens around me instinctively. He grunts, muscles bunching, but he doesn’t stop them.
Pam slams into me, wrapping me in a hug that squeezes the last breath out of my ribs.
“You’re alive!” she squeals, pulling back to inspect me. “We thought—when the rocks fell—oh my; you look terrible!”
“Thanks,” I wheeze, patting her arm.
“You look alive,” Erika corrects, gripping my shoulder hard. Her eyes scan me, checking for missing limbs. “We were about five minutes away from organizing a rescue party with or without permission.”
“I told them you were too stubborn to die,” Alex adds, stepping up with a tired smile on her face.
But Jacqui and Justine haven’t said a word.
They are standing perfectly still, staring at me. Or rather, staring at the space between Sarven and me. Their eyes are wide, their mouths ajar.
“Oh my god,” Justine breathes.
Jacqui’s gaze snaps to mine. “Mikaela. Your head. It’s… loud.”
“Loud?” Pam asks, looking between us.
“She’s broadcasting,” Justine says, a grin spreading across her face. “Not words. Just… gold. A constant stream ofsafe-warm-mine.”
She points a finger at Sarven.
