Chapter Eighteen
The dining space had filled with people inthe short time Shea spent speaking with Fallon. The low roar ofvoices quieted as she became the focus. One by one, the men andwomen gathered returned to their discussions.
Shea searched the crowd for Eamon or Buck,wanting the reassurance of a familiar face.
Trenton stepped up beside her, grabbing herarm and tugging her behind him as he plunged into the crowd offaces.
“The Snake Clan’s Cobra,” he murmured in herear while indicating a striking woman with straight, long blackhair and a sleeveless tunic that left her toned arms bare.
If Shea remembered correctly, Cobra was theterm Snake Clan used to refer to their Clan Leader.
Trenton said, “The Snake Clan is the only onewith a female Clan Leader. They have a long history of womanrulers. Before the clans united under Hawkvale’s grandfather, manythought a female leader was a sign of weakness. The Snake’s taughtthem otherwise.”
The Cobra was beautiful, but the cold,calculating look in her eyes was evidence of the deadly beingresiding just under the pretty surface.
“She’s speaking with Jarak, an Earth ClanAmethyst Leader. He’s quite handy with a blade but always looks forthe easiest ways to win.”
Jarak was a plain looking man with alert eyesand a crooked smile. His dark brown hair was pulled back tightagainst his head.
The only Earth Clan Shea had encountered weresome of the cartographers. She knew they were also the blacksmithsresponsible for the weapons the Trateri carried to battle. They hadmany soldiers in the army, but most served on the west and southbattlefronts.
Trenton’s commentary slowed as people beganlining up behind the short chairs rimming the tables.
“It looks like dinner will begin soon. Weshould find our seats,” Trenton said.
She saw Eamon and Buck heading to the farside of the table and moved to follow. Trenton touched her shoulderand nudged her in the opposite direction, towards the head of thetable.
“Come, your seat is this way.”
Shea resisted, shooting a glance back at hercompanions. They were engaged in conversation with several men,except for Phillip who watched the crowd around him carefully.
Shea caught his eye briefly and received abrief nod before his gaze moved on.
Defeated, Shea followed Trenton as he walkedconfidently through the crowd. She was dismayed to find she was tosit to the right of the chair at the head of the table. Fallon’schair.
Uncomfortable, but not wanting the peoplearound her to know it, Shea kept her face as blank as possible asshe came to a stop. Trenton stepped to her immediate left where hewaited, exchanging nods when he was greeted by their fellowdiners.
Shea was largely ignored except for theassessing glances that slid her way as they waited for dinner tobegin.
Unexpectedly, she was hungry. Breakfast hadbeen a long time ago and with all her plans to escape and then thestress of being caught, she’d forgotten to eat. She wanted to getthis over with as soon as possible. The faster they were done, thefaster she could start making new plans. Ones that wouldn’t rely somuch on chance.
The low murmur suddenly trailed off and thenabruptly rose to a dull roar as Fallon strode to the head of thetable, all earlier appearance of weakness gone. He was once againthe ultimate warrior, the man who had guided Shea’s hands in akilling blow and then pulled the dead revenant off her.
Shea found her eyes glued to him as the forceof his presence sucked all of the oxygen out of the room.
There was something about him. Even from thebeginning. Only now it was stronger because Shea had seen what hehad created with his people. She knew what lengths he had gonethrough to rise to his position and how he battled daily to keep itamid a people who could just as easily tear themselves and the restof the Lowlands apart. Despite herself, she respected him.
On one level he fascinated her, and onanother, he absolutely terrified her.
As if sensing her thoughts, he looked up fromwhere he was exchanging a nod with the Leo of Lion Clan to meet hereyes. Whatever he read there caused him to pause and then his eyesnarrowed as if something had just occurred to him.
“What’s she doing here?” a strident voiceasked from the door.
Shea frowned and looked at the man standingjust inside the entrance, the sun at his back and his face still inshadow. She noted that a few had cast the newcomer disgusted lookswhile the others steadfastly ignored him. Whoever he was, he wasn’tliked.
“You finally have her, so let us go,” the mandemanded, taking another step into the chamber.
Who was he talking to?
