She turned back toward camp and was brought up short by the sight of the two men behind her. Caden and Trenton observed her from only a few paces away, both men’s expressions carefully veiled. Trenton’s arms were crossed over his chest, a sign that he wasn’t happy.
She should have known she wouldn’t be able to sneak past these two.
Caden slid a quick assessing glance Eva’s way before his attention turned to Shea. “Fallon would not like this course of action.”
Shea had no doubt of that.
“Griffin needs to be stopped,” she stated in a frank voice.
“Not alone,” Trenton fired back.
Shea’s lips tightened at the unspoken reprimand before she forced herself to relax. “You’re right. I let my emotions get the best of me.”
Trenton went still in surprise at her easy capitulation. She wasn’t exactly known for letting others talk her out of a course of action once her mind was set.
Caden studied her. He knew as well as she did that she was right in one sense. Griffin could not be allowed to grow into a bigger threat later down the road. They needed to act, and as much as they might want to wait for Fallon to heal, they didn’t have that luxury.
He let out a breath, his fingers tapping against his arm before he nodded. “You’ll need a team, a small one. They’ll cover your back while you do what needs doing.”
Shea tilted her chin down.
“Where you go, I go,” Trenton stated in an implacable voice.
Shea fought a sound of amusement. Her guard was nearly as stubborn as she was.
“What’s this, nephew? Perhaps a secret mission my daughter simply forgot to include us in?” Patrick’s sardonic voice came from the shadows at Shea’s back. She whirled as he stepped around Eva and her horse. “I know you weren’t planning on heading out without us,” her father informed her. “You’re lucky we were in the area to save you from such a disastrous oversight.”
Reece drifted into sight behind him, shaking his head in disgust. “How is it you knew exactly where she’d be?”
“Age and wisdom, my young nephew,” her father said with amusement.
Reece scoffed and shook his head. “More likely one of your little spies.”
Shea blinked at the sight of the two, surprise keeping her motionless. “Does mother know you’re here?” she asked Patrick.
He gave her a dour look. “I do not need your mother’s permission, but yes. We agreed the threat of Griffin takes precedence.”
Shea pressed her lips together on a brief spurt of amusement, grateful the dark hid her expression.
Patrick’s voice turned serious. “I had thought to spare you this, given your warlord’s current state, but I see that will not be possible.”
He reached out and squeezed her shoulder. She gave him a grateful nod, appreciating the sentiment even as her throat tightened, making it difficult to speak.
Shea turned back to find Caden staring at the two newcomers. His gaze shifted back to hers. “I’d go with you.”
“You need to stay and watch over him,” Shea said before he could explain further. “There’s no guarantee there aren’t other traitors. He’s going to need your protection even once he wakes.”
Because he would wake. She had to have faith. It was the only thing keeping her moving forward.
Caden’s nod was grim.
Eva looked between them, the horse over her shoulder. “The warlord’s injured? How is the entire camp not up in arms at this knowledge?”
Caden’s attention snapped to her. “You’ll keep anything you learn tonight to yourself, throwaway.”
Eva jerked back, her face stricken. The uncertainty lasted only seconds before she lifted her chin in challenge, displaying that backbone Shea had noticed even during their short acquaintance. The horse at her side, sensing his mistress’s distress, stamped one foot and shook his head.
“Caden, enough,” Shea barked. “Eva isn’t going to run off spouting tales.”
