"The jump has already been made," Roscoe told him. "We have a traitor among us."
Ghost moved closer, his gaze scrutinizing as he stared at the two clan leaders. "And we're pretty sure we know where that person came from."
Van seemed incredulous at the accusation. "Come on. You know Lion Clan wouldn't stoop so low."
Eva found it telling that he didn't include Rain in that statement. Almost like he was trying to infer blame without having to go into specifics.
Gawain's expression darkened as he caught Van's meaning. "Be very careful what you say next, Lion."
"He's right," Roscoe said, flanking Gawain on one side as Ghost did the same on the other. "Your clan has a bit of a reputation."
"How dare you," the woman at Gawain's back said. "Why is it that your sort always points fingers at us first?"
Ghost's expression was mild. "I believe we pointed our fingers at Lion first."
The woman sneered.
"Also, this is the reaction you get when your clan is comprised mainly of exiled members of other clans," Roscoe pointed out.
The woman sucked in a breath to respond when Gawain lifted a hand for silence.
"Enough, Emersyn," he said.
Unhappy, she closed her mouth, but that didn't take the sting out of her glower.
Gawain’s voice was mild as he addressed Roscoe. "And I'm not the only one with a reputation, now am I, Madness."
Roscoe's nostrils flared. He didn't speak, lifting his chin to give the clan leader an expressionless stare.
"How do we know one of yours didn't put that there?" Ghost said.
"If you have proof, show it," Gawain challenged. "Otherwise, you're nothing but a pair of yapping dogs your master hasn't brought to heel yet."
There was a cold light in Gawain's eyes that said he wasn't a stranger to accusations. That it had happened so often he'd developed a calloused exterior.
Something about that prideful look made Eva want to believe him. She could empathize with him. Sometimes even when you wanted to change, the expectations and perceptions of others wouldn't leave you room to.
"He's right." There was no trace of emotion in Caden's calm facade. His voice was flat. Even. As was his stare.
That was what made it so scary.
It didn't take a genius to see how tightly Caden was clinging to his control. As if a single crack would destroy the fragile house he'd built around himself.
Eva feared if the wall he kept erected ever fully toppled the consequences would be devastating—for everyone.
"We have no proof," Caden continued. "Yet."
"It could have been the army you were chasing over the last two days," Van pointed out.
Roscoe made a derisive sound. "You mean the army that hasn't been anywhere close to this valley and probably didn't even know it existed before tonight."
"Just because their main body is in one place doesn't mean the rest of them are. They could have sent scouts out," Van argued.
Gawain nodded. "It's what I'd do."
Van made a face. "Oh good. Rain agrees with me."
"Watch it," Gawain warned.
