“Hawkvale is making an exception in Shane’scase.” To Shea, he said, “You’re the only one of your team theHawkvale hasn’t spoken to yet, and he wants that done before themeal so you need to come with me.”
Every muscle on Shea’s body locked, and shetook a deep breath. She nodded and followed Trenton into the walledoff portion of the tent. She braced herself as she stepped through,feeling the fabric drop behind her, cutting her off from the restof the gathering.
The other side surprised her, and she stoppedmid step. She looked around wide eyed. The Trateri’s ability toadapt their surroundings to their specific taste and preferencealways impressed her. They had a way of taking what should havebeen a humble lifestyle and inserting into it a grandeur andelegance not often found in the Broken Lands.
Fallon Hawkvale’s chambers embraced thisconcept so well that it was difficult to believe this space existedin a simple tent that could be packed up and moved on a weeklybasis.
Tapestries alive with intricate embroiderywere stretched across ornately carved wooden frames, giving theroom the impression of painted walls. The sloped canopy of theceiling had several fabric panels cut out to allow air flow to keepthe space cool and fresh. In the possibility of rain or coldweather, each ‘window’ had fabric that could be rolled over it toattach to the sides.
There wasn’t just one large rug on the groundbut several, each piled one on top of the other so when a personwalked across it their feet sank into the plush fabric. It was softand thick under Shea’s shoes, leaving no impression of the unevenground below. No bumps from rocks or clods of dirt marred thegeometric designs and vivid colors.
The edge of one had the distinctive patternof a Lowland city known for their weavings. No doubt many of thesewere the spoils of war.
That thought helped break Shea’s surprise andled her to recognize other familiar objects, such as the gleamingblack wood on the chest at the foot of Hawkvale’s low bed. Sheaknew of only one place that made furniture with wood thatblack.
Having noticed the chest, she found herselfcataloging the bed and its comfortable nest of furs and blanketsbefore finding her gaze inexplicably drawn to the figure sitting atthe side of the bed.
Shea came to attention, assuming that waswhat a Trateri would do in this situation.
She examined this man who had caused such anupheaval in her life and the lives of thousands of others.
He looked tired. It wasn’t much, butsomething in his posture suggested he had the weight of the worldon his shoulders. That same exhaustion was present behind his eyesand in the tightness of the skin around them.
In all honesty, she was surprised he wasawake. The spinner hallucinogenic tended to linger for days. Therewas no way his system had gotten rid of all of it. The fact he wasupright and alert was a testament to the fierce determination andstubborn drive of this man.
What would it be like to have both of thosetraits focused on a single person?
Terrifying? Or would it make them feel likethey were the only thing that mattered in a world where very littlemattered?
Shea dismissed these idle thoughts. She wouldnever have cause to find out.
Fallon’s perusal of her was much more direct.It felt as if his whiskey colored eyes were peeling back hersecrets one by one. Something she could not afford.
The taut silence lasted as he looked hisfill. She pretended to examine the embroidered panel directlyacross from her.
“I’m told you’re the reason I’m still alive.”Fallon’s gravelly voice scrapped across Shea’s nerves.
When he fell silent again she realized with astart he was waiting for an answer. Finding her voice was difficultwith the full force of his attention focused solely on her.
“That’s not entirely true.”
Fallon’s lips quirked in a semi smile. “Soyou weren’t the one who figured out my men were looking in thewrong place?”
“I did do that,” Shea admitted. Caden andDarius already knew that much.
“Were you not the one who decided what themost likely routes I might have taken were?”
“I was responsible for that, too.”
“I admit things were hazy, but I’m prettysure it was your face I saw when I was cut out of the web.”
Shea held her silence stubbornly. That wastrue.
“How exactly is it not true?”
“None of that would have been possible if notfor the men in my team. Eamon created the distraction that gave metime to get you and the other man free. If he hadn’t done that, wewould all have been food for spinner babies. If Phillip and Buckhadn’t eliminated the other routes, we would never have thought tolook for you there. So I’m not the only reason you’re alive. Youhave them to thank as well.”
There was a muffled snort behind her. Giventhe magnetism of Fallon’s presence she had forgotten all aboutTrenton.
