“Perhaps when we’ve settled things with your pathfinders, we can return to this place and take a few weeks to plumb its depths.”
Shea tilted her head back, struggling to make out Fallon’s features in the dim light. “I’d like that.”
Even in the dark she could see the tender expression that settled on his face. It did funny things to her stomach, sending it fluttering all over the place.
His arms gave her a last squeeze before falling away. “Come, dinner should be nearly ready.”
She took his hand as they headed back to camp. It was a rare pleasure, since Fallon generally preferred to keep his hands free in case of attack. He must have felt relatively at ease to allow it. They walked hand in hand until the campfires came into view, then he gave her hand a last squeeze before pulling his back.
They found a spot at one of the campfires. Shea was happy to see Eamon, Buck and a few other familiar faces she recognized gathered around the fire, each holding bowls filled with hot food. Fallon indicated she take a seat before breaking off to get food for both of them.
“Any luck?” Shea asked Eamon, her voice hopeful.
Eamon shook his head. “We swept that entire area and found no sign. We’re going to conduct another search in the morning.”
“However, if Rain has anything to do with it, they’ll have us moving on before we find anything,” Buck muttered. It was clear by the hard tone of his voice, his thoughts on that.
“That will not happen,” Fallon said, handing one of the bowls he held to Shea. “We owe young Clark and Fiona our best efforts. You have my word that we won’t shirk our duties to them.”
Both Eamon and Buck bowed their head, respect and relief on their faces. “We appreciate that, Warlord.”
Reece wandered over from wherever he’d been biding his time, shadowed by two Anateri.
“I hear you ran into trouble out there,” Reece said, his eyes focused on Shea.
Shea twirled her fork in the bowl Fallon had given her and didn’t answer. Her cousin didn’t let that phase him as he watched her. He took a seat across the fire from Shea and Fallon.
“You’ve gotten rusty,” he said, making himself comfortable. “Losing someone on a mission. What would our elders say?”
Shea bit her tongue.
“There was nothing she could do,” Eamon said, his voice light.
Shea’s eyes shot to him. She knew that tone. He might sound easygoing, but the way he focused on his bowl and the careful way he moved said he was one wrong word from exploding.
“The buildings just collapsed,” Buck volunteered. “Even Shea couldn’t have predicted that.”
Reece raised an eyebrow. “I’m surprised you let them enter the buildings. You know how old those things are.”
“I didn’t. We weren’t anywhere near them when they collapsed.”
Reece cocked his head, puzzlement on his face. Shea knew he found that strange but kept the possible chance of sabotage to herself. One, she didn’t know if the buildings were sabotaged. This place was old. Two, Fallon wanted to keep knowledge of the possible sabotage to a select few, so as not to cause panic, and to keep those plotting against him unaware he knew of their schemes.
Reece’s eyes were thoughtful as he stared into the fire. “Isn’t that interesting?”
Fallon’s thigh touched Shea’s, his warmth was welcome given the chill in the cavern, and she let herself lean into his side.
“So, you’re Shea’s cousin?” Buck asked as the fire crackled and popped. “You must have known her when she was young. Got any good stories?”
Shea lifted her head and glared at Buck. “What kind of question is that?”
He spread his hands and shrugged. “What? I’m just trying to make conversation. Get to know the other pathfinder in our midst. You’re always such a mystery. You can’t blame me for being curious.”
“I’d be interested to learn whether she’s always been this grumpy,” Eamon said.
“Grumpy? I’m not grumpy.”
“Oh yes, you are,” Trenton said. “You get this frown on your face, and then the next thing you know, you’re questioning how someone has survived in the world this long. To their face.”
