Shane nearly leapt forward to hug Clark butat the last minute turned her excitement into a brisk pat on theback.
“Meet me at the corral in an hour,” he toldher. “If he says yes, you’ll leave directly from there.”
Shea smiled big, and Clark stilled. Heblinked, as if seeing something he hadn’t before. The smile fellfrom her face.
“Thanks, Clark. I owe you for this,” Sheacontinued, ignoring the look of surprise and speculation on Clark’sface.
“No problem.”
Shea’s mind was already on her small tent andits belongings, mentally cataloging what she needed for her journeyand what she could leave behind. She gave him another distractedsmile before setting off for her tent.
An hour later Shea leaned against the roughfence encircling the corral, bag packed, waiting for Clark and hisfriend. The sun felt good on her face and the morning had warmedsignificantly. It was going to be a hot one.
She straightened as Clark came into view witha taller, skinnier man following close behind. The second manlooked like a stick, complete with knobby elbows and long, thinlimbs.
“Shane meet Remy.”
Shane nodded briefly, not offering her hand.The Trateri weren’t big on handshakes as it was too easy for anenemy to use them to disable their opponent.
“If you’re serious about heading out thismorning, my commander and I would be grateful for the extra helpout there,” Remy said, his voice nearly a whisper. “You’ll have tokeep up though. We won’t be stopping until well afternightfall.”
Shea smiled, her lips barely tilting up atthe corners. “That won’t be a problem.”
“Really? You have to be tired. I know youwere out all night last night and before that you were on a twoweek mission.” Remy’s serious eyes held hers. “I know yourreputation so I know under normal circumstances you can keep up,but every man needs rest at some point. We’re covering rough groundthis time. We won’t be able to stop if you get tired.”
Shea paused, looking away for a moment beforelooking him straight in the eye. “I won’t be a problem.”
His concerns would be valid under normalcircumstances. This time she had every intention of leaving thegroup at the first possible chance.
Remy looked unimpressed with her statementbut said, “My commander said if you can keep up you can come.”
Shea fought from whooping in relief andsettled for a small smile before bending and grabbing her pack.
“Going somewhere,” a cool voice asked as aman wearing the distinctive colors of Hawkvale, golden yellow anddark brown, strode up to the trio. It was Caden.
Shea froze in the midst of slinging her packon her back as Caden’s knowing eyes examined her. Damn.
Seeing Shea had been stricken mute, Clarkjumped in. “Shane’s heading out on a mission with Dark Lighttroop.”
“Is he?” Caden asked his hands clasped behindhis back as he gave her an inscrutable glance.
“Yes, my commander thought it would be goodto have some fresh blood around,” Remy said softly, his posturealert and wary.
“I’m afraid he’ll have to get that bloodelsewhere. This one’s off the mission register until furthernotice. Orders of Hawkvale himself.” Caden gave Shea a sidelongglance. “It’s a good thing I caught you before you left. Shane hasbeen promoted to the Anateri, Hawkvale’s personal warriors. I’mafraid your days as a scout are over.”
Shea clenched her jaw in disbelief as Remy’seyes widened, and Clark’s mouth dropped open in surprise.
“I told you this meant a promotion.” Clarkpunched her in the arm.
“But I’m a scout.”
Caden’s face held a bland disinterest as hesaid, “Not anymore.”
Picking up on her distress, Clark clasped hershoulders saying earnestly, “Shane, this is a good thing. TheAnateri are the elitist of the elite. Every Trateri boy dreams ofgrowing up to be one.”
“But,” Shea said, feeling out of touch withher surroundings, “I’m a scout.”
“Being an Anateri won’t keep you tied tocamp,” Clark said, thinking she was distressed at the thought ofbeing restricted. “They go on just as many missions as scouts.You’ll probably even be sent on better ones than the babysittingdetails we usually pick up.” He shook her slightly. “This is a goodthing. You should be proud of yourself. Only the best make it totheir ranks.”
