Terror was a new emotion for him. The possibility of death or pain never a part of his world before her. Now, it haunted his every thought. An invisible shadow that infected everything it touched.
Caden wouldn't survive Eva's death. Whatever remained would be dark and monstrous. Something far worse than a mythological could ever be.
Movement in camp brought his thoughts back into focus.
Van stood on the outskirts, frowning at the smoke rising in the distance. He wasn't alone, a group of Trateri surrounding him.
For the clans, smoke meant a lot of things. The presence of people. The possibility of allies—or enemies.
It also suggested the potential for wildfires. Something the clans were constantly on guard against.
"What cockery is this?" Van demanded as Caden reined Nell to a stop.
The horse pranced under Caden, picking up on his rider's tangled emotions. His sides heaved as he caught his breath.
Caia, carrying Jason and Ghost, galloped into camp seconds later.
"Find me Chirron and then get your people to set fires around the perimeter of camp. As many as you can without burning us alive," Caden ordered.
Van looked like he might argue for half a second before he took a closer look at Caden, spotting how on edge he was.
"You heard him. Get moving," Van ordered his people.
While he was doing that, Caden examined Jason and Ghost. "The others?"
"They're on foot," Jason answered.
Van moved toward Caden. "You'd better have a good reason for giving me orders."
Caden grunted, not caring. "Where in the void is Chirron?"
Van's frown was pronounced as he took in Ghost, who looked like he already had one foot in the grave. Beads of sweat were visible on his face.
"A healer won't be of much help for her." Ajari's approach was silent. He reached to touch Eva's cheek as he closed his eyes, ignoring Caden's instinctive tensing.
With Eva unresponsive, it was taking all his self-control not to strike out at the mythological.
"You're jumpy," Ajari acknowledged without opening his eyes.
Caden didn't bother to deny it. Ajari would understand. They were both ruthless when it came to the protection of those they considered theirs.
Kindness. Warmth. Those were emotions meant for others. Never them.
Ajari's mouth curved as if he sensed Caden's thoughts. His smile faded as lines of concentration creased his face.
"Do you know what's wrong with her?"
Ajari's expression was still distant as his eyes opened. Their depths hazy and unfocused.
"She's lost. She must find her way home again if she is to wake." Ajari withdrew his hand as he stepped away, his features sympathetic.
"You'll forgive me if I check that assessment for myself."
Chirron glided out of the crowd, a serene smile on his face that didn't quite match the thread of granite in his tone as he staked his territory.
"I meant no insult," Chirron said at Ajari's hostile stare. "I would simply be failing at my calling if I didn't extend my patient every consideration."
As gentle as the words were, they conveyed the line Chirron was trying to draw. Human lives were in his hands; not Ajari's.
