Phin turned to them, moving to stand where Ramsey was sitting, but thankfully no closer. I was still on edge, regardless of how weak they might look. Things are not always as they seem, as Phin herself had proven.
“I’m Phin, obviously. That’s Tap, and he’s Seir.” Seir raised a hand and waved but I remained still. “You’re…” Phin squinted. “Brinda?”
“Yes.” Her hand fluttered to her chest, and she inhaled roughly her emotions naked on her face. “I’m so sorry, Phin. Apologizing could never be enough.” She shook her bowed head. “I swear, we didn’t mean to leave you there. It just happened, and the patrol was coming, and…” Tears fell to the floor.
“That’s how I remember it too; you were all just closer to the door than I was when it started. It wasn’t your fault that your cycle hit like that. Mine did the same. I know you didn’t leave me there or lock me in intentionally.”
Brinda looked up, eyes wide. “Really? Thank you.”
Phin dipped her head and moved on, pointing at the blond. “Harmon?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
Her head tilted as she looked at the brunet man. “I’m sorry. I think your name starts with a G? But I can’t quite recall it.”
He cracked the smallest of shy smiles. “That’s alright, we didn’t know one another very well. And you’re close—I’m James.” He rubbed his palms along the hips of his worn pants. “We’re all incredibly sorry for what happened that day.” He shook his head, eyes shifting to the ground. “Truly. We’ve been looking for you for a long time, both to apologize and to make sure you were okay. That they hadn’t caught you too.”
“Too? Who else?” I asked.
Brinda raised her hand. “Me. I was caught.”
“But we got her out,” James said, puffing out his chest. His cheekbones were too prominent, the shine in his eyes dulled. Their condition seemed worse the longer I looked at them.
“That feels like a rather important story,” Seir commented, meeting my eye. I could see the gentle plea to take pity on these people in his gaze. He raised an eyebrow, communicating clearly that he wouldn’t leave my side and if things went sideways, between us we could manage, regardless of what I decided.
I sighed, and he smiled. He really was a pain in my ass sometimes.
“Ramsey, can we trust them?” I asked, amused as she shifted and huffed while they straightened and stressed.
Yes, Watchman. I will vouch for them. And if I’m wrong, I’ll be the first to help correct my error in judgment.
“I’ll accept that,” I told the hound.
Phin squeezed my hand, her big heart immediately offering aid. “It looks as though it’s been a while since you’ve seen a decent meal?”
They tensed, something like hope flitting across their faces. In the end, Brinda was the brave one. “I suppose that’s true. We haven’t had access to a proper kitchen in a very long time.”
“Right,” I said, melting under Phin’s imploring, pitiful gaze. “Seir, would you get them comfortable on the sofa? I’m sure we can find our guests something to eat.”
He held out an arm and gestured for them to follow him. They did, at a safe distance, and likely only because Ramsey went with them. The mutual caution was reassuring.
“I’ll help you,” Phin said, linking her arm with mine. We were quiet until we were in the kitchen, Seir taking care of getting them settled.
“Are you alright, Feather?”
She nodded tightly as we assembled some sandwiches, gathered fruit and put the kettle on to make tea. “Strangely, yes. I don’t feel any dishonesty from them, though…” She frowned. “I’m not always the best judge of character. And it’s really very interesting to see them again after so much time and what happened. It’s not often I get to talk to people who look so much like me.”
My heart squeezed, and I vowed to myself that I would do my best to get all the information I could from them while maintaining my mate’s happiness. I didn’t want to be the one to add to her pain over that part of her past if I could prevent it.
“What will you do with them?” she asked, unusually timid.
“That depends on what all they have to tell us, I suppose. It doesn’t seem wise to host them here, but there are other options that could be explored.” She brightened. “Again, depending on what we learn, and whether or not it’s the truth.”
“Of course.”
Once we had the plates assembled, we took them out, Phin carrying a separate serving for Ramsey as well.
“Please, help yourselves,” I gestured.
