Van squared off with him. "Or what?"
Gawain started for Lion Clan's leader. Fiona and Buck moved to intercept.
Two objects fell out of the sky, hitting the ground with a heavy thump.
Gawain and Van forgot their argument as they unsheathed their blades, the rest of those present following suit.
Laughter came from above.
"Silly mice, you should really keep your eye on your enemy. Fighting among yourselves only makes you a tempting morsel for the real predators," a voice echoed from the darkness.
"Archers to the sky," Caden ordered.
"No need for that," the voice said again.
Dark shapes dropped from the sky, wings flared to brace themselves. The Tenrin straightened, arrogance in every line of their bodies.
"Great. Who invited the crows?"
"I didn't know we needed an invitation to visit our allies," a sardonic voice said as a lithe Tenrin sauntered into their midst.
Ajari’s approach was nearly silent except for the quiet rattle of beads that clattered against each other with every step he took. He was a wonder to behold with skin the color of deepest night. It carried an opalescent sheen that always reminded Eva of starlight.
It was beautiful—and eye catching.
Like all Tenrin, he had bony protrusions along his forearms that could be used to stab or eviscerate an opponent. He had blunt features and a nose that was a little flatter than a human's. Black hair brushed his shoulders, feathers interspersed throughout.
The only thing missing were his wings; he had none. Only two scars where they should be.
The human who'd called the Tenrin crows looked stubborn at Ajari's rebuke. To Eva's relief he held silent, not adding tinder to the fire his words had already lighted.
"Brother, you moved faster than I expected," Ajari said in a light voice, addressing the biggest of the Tenrin trio.
Since Ajari referred to the Tenrin as brother, it meant the man could only be one person. Covath, the flock's leader, and a major player in the battle for Wayfarer's Keep.
Unlike his brother, Covath's skin was a matte black that allowed him to blend seamlessly with the night. As nocturnal predators, Eva was sure that came in handy.
His large form dwarfed that of his guards and brother, and his features carried a cruel beauty.
His gaze was piercing as he studied the humans in front of him.
Eva could see why he was the flock's leader. The only other man who could match Covath for that same level of authority and intimidation was Fallon.
"I was curious to see what about these mice has attracted you so."
Ajari's expression tightened, the movement slight. If Eva hadn't spent so much time with him, she might have missed it.
Something about his brother being here wasn't within his plans, Eva realized.
There was a sense of discordance between the two that put Eva on edge. Almost like they were fighting, but not with words.
It was more like how her mother sometimes waged war. Guilt and expectation her mother’s weapons of choice.
To her surprise, she found dislike and anger in Covath's gaze when he glanced at her.
Eva bristled. What had she done to deserve that look?
She didn’t expect to be liked by everyone. Her personality could only be called prickly. Nor was she particularly lovable. Some days she was surprised she had as many friends as she did.
