Silence fell as we considered the new threat.
Concerned, I glanced at the tree that anchored the barrow to this world. "Will the barrow be big enough for the pack?"
"There is a vast forest within," Connor confirmed. "I saw it during my exploration."
Sofia raised her eyebrows. "I'd be interested in hearing more about that."
"Not here," Liam said, his gaze on Callie where she stood on the opposite side of the clearing. "We should head back."
Sofia hesitated, studying Callie with the focus of a veteran power broker. Whatever she saw seemed to interest her, but not to the extent she felt compelled to second guess Liam.
"As you wish." She gestured for Sam and the two headed for the cars, the rest of us trailing behind.
I couldn't help but be painfully aware of every movement Callie made as she shadowed us from the opposite side of the forest. As if at some sign, Nathan fell into step on my opposite side as Callie reached me.
Anton took the lead with Liam in the rear, Connor vanishing into the forest within seconds.
Callie walked beside me, the moments passing in a soft quiet.
The car came into sight a short time later, and the tense ball in my stomach loosened. I knew reaching the cars didn't necessarily mean we were out of danger, but the sight of them made me feel better.
Especially when the night stirred and Thomas stepped into view, the rest of Liam's enforcers beside him. Thomas's gaze moved between me and Connor where he still stood in the trees as if to assure himself of our safety.
His shoulders relaxed enough so he didn't look like he was going to lash out at any moment.
Sofia cast him a chiding glance. "I thought we agreed you would remain behind."
Amusement touched Thomas's expression. "You said it was too dangerous to enter the barrow. As you see, we are not in the barrow."
"Semantics."
Delight lit his eyes. "That is half the fun."
Thomas's attention shifted to Callie. After a moment of study, he swept her a courtly bow. "Forgive my rudeness, my lady.” He rose in a graceful movement, watching her snakes with fascination. "It's been a long time since I've been in the presence of a medusa of your caliber."
"There aren't medusas of my caliber. I'm one of a kind."
There was a fascinated awareness in Thomas’s gaze as he watched Callie.
Were they flirting?
I caught the same nonplussed expression I knew was on my face reflected on Connor's from where he peered out of the woods. His eyes met mine, and he shook his head as if to say he had no idea what was going on either.
Thomas had a thing for dangerous ladies. Who knew?
Raised voices near the cars pulled my attention from Thomas. I glanced over, frowning as the argument that had been quietly brewing as Sofia addressed Kat finally spilled over.
From the heated glare Kat cast in my direction, I had no doubt what, or rather, who was the subject of their disagreement.
“She should never have been chosen to attend when there were other vampires with more status waiting,” Kat spat.
"Enough, I’m done talking about this," Sofia snapped. "You forget your place."
"I'm not the only one," Kat hissed, before stalking in my direction.
"Uh oh, that can't be good," Nathan said.
"Friend of yours?" Callie asked.
