Griffin didn’t seem to notice her, his attention focused on the mythological.
The mythological turned towards him. “What are you doing here?”
“You slipped away, and I was curious as to what caught your attention,” Griffin said. “Why did you leave? You know I didn’t give permission.”
The mythological turned stiff. “I spotted something and went to investigate.”
Griffin cocked his head, his attention finally turning toward Shea. “Lover, you came!”
The mythological’s head turned toward her. Though his expression was carefully guarded, Shea sensed the warning he aimed at her.
She didn’t have much time to think as Griffin opened his arms, wrapping her stiff body in an unwelcome hug, his cheek ice-cold against hers.
“I was beginning to think you wouldn’t,” he crooned. “I should have known you’d surprise me. You were always good at that.”
She didn’t know how to respond to his words. It was a complete change from their last encounter.
The mythological made a slight movement behind him, as if warning her to play along.
“Yes, I had to come,” Shea said in a stilted voice.
The mythological sniffed the air, his attention turning toward the boulders where she’d hidden her father. His gaze met hers as realization crossed his face.
Griffin took her words as confirmation of her intentions, twisting to face the distracted mythological. “Now, back to my first question.”
Shea pleaded with her eyes, hoping the mythological would keep her secret. If Griffin found out about her father now, he would kill him, or he’d order the mythological to do it. In Patrick’s weakened state, there would be little he could do to defend himself.
Griffin’s hand remained on her wrist, an unexplainable cold sensation radiating out from where he gripped her. Numbness quickly followed as his touch deadened feeling in that arm.
Shea shifted, trying to draw back. His grip didn’t budge, holding her captive as that strange feeling crawled over her skin.
She started to shiver both in fear and as a result of Griffin’s touch as he asked again, “What won’t work?”
The mythological looked down at him, his face inscrutable. He turned his attention to Shea. “I simply told the little mouse that running would be futile.”
Shea released the breath she was holding.
His lie was a good one, and he had her everlasting gratitude for it. He could have just as easily gone the other way, revealed Patrick’s presence and Shea’s subterfuge. That he hadn’t, meant her mission might not be entirely ruined, just evolving.
Griffin cocked his head again, the gesture almost reptilian. “Of course, she isn’t going to run. She’s here to join us, after all.”
He waited expectantly. Shea stared between the two, an uncertain expression on her face.
After an eternity, she nodded. “Yes, yes, I am.”
Her awkward delivery wouldn’t have fooled anybody in their right mind, but Griffin seemed pleased by her response. She wasn’t entirely sure he was sane anymore. Whatever was happening to him appeared to have affected his mind. It was the only thing she could think to explain this strange conversation.
“Come now, we still have many miles to travel before we stop,” Griffin said with a beatific smile.
Griffin turned back the way he’d come, Shea following reluctantly behind, with the mythological an intimidating presence at her back. For now, they seemed to be on the same side but that could change at a moment’s notice.
She sent up a prayer for the rest of her group. Worry for her father ate at her even as she knew Reece wouldn’t let the others leave him behind. Buck and Trenton might give him trouble—both wanting to pursue Shea—but he’d keep his head. She was sure of it. She only hoped they were able to survive this.
Griffin’s head turned slightly. “The father will be most pleased at this turn of events.”
“Father?” Shea asked, her interest spiking despite the dire situation.
“Yes, he was slightly disappointed I was the only one to answer his call. He expected you.” Griffin’s voice fell slightly. “You were always the favorite in everything you did.”
