Ithadbeentwodays. Two days of searching Aataran for any clues regarding Rynn’s whereabouts or why in the world they had been called to this gods-forsaken kingdom, and they had found nothing. Jade was ready to end it all and crack the mountain right down the middle.
But that would be a headache to explain.
Usually, she was most relaxed and comfortable when surrounded by her nature. She loved to feel the abundance of life pushing through cracks in the rock, reaching out to her. She reveled in the earth’s stability, its faithfulness, its power.
Now, in these mountains, something seemed…off. The other two did not understand what Jade felt. They couldn’t hear the hum of caution vibrating through the bones of the mountain, the unnatural shift—as if it were warning her. Or leading her to something.
Of course, her discomfort and frustration could also have to do with the fact that it was freezing in the wasteland, and they were making no progress in their hunt. Truth be told, they did not even knowwhatthey were supposed to be looking for. The mysterious man’s lair? A hidden army of foes to defeat? A horrifying creature terrorizing the mountain towns?
Finding Rynn would be a start.
Kai’s teeth chattered next to her as her friend called to Aidan, “You know, we could use a little bit of your fire to stay warm!”
“Oh, I’ll gladly warm you up, Kai,” Aidan’s deep timbre sounded from behind them.
Jade chuckled and pulled her cloak tighter around herself. “You set yourself up for that one,” she said to Kai.
“If you’re both this cold already, you would never last a true winter in this kingdom,” Aidan said. Jade turned, and he smiled humorously, shaking his head. “I hear the winters in Evonlea are so cold, some hunters kill and gut their animals right in the middle of the forest and wear the skin home like a coat. Blood and entrails still hanging off and everything.”
“On that note,” Jade said, scrunching her nose, “I think we should call it a day. It’s getting dark, anyway.”
Kai sighed. “I suppose so. Maybe we should start on the other side in the morning.”
Without warning, the hair on the back of Jade’s neck rose and goosebumps trailed up her arm.
At the same time, all three of them straightened and turned as one.
One moment, the air had been fairly calm, save an occasional cold nip at their noses. The next, a rushing wind came tearing down the side of the mountain, shifting rocks and swirling Jade’s hair around her head.Of course.
“Must he always announce his presence?” Jade growled.
“Lovely to see you, as always,” a soft, haughty voice came from several yards ahead of them.
“Rynn!” Kai cried excitedly, and Jade had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. She was supposed to be working on forgiveness, after all.
When the wind finally died, Rynn stood before them. He had his usual self-assured, careless look about him, right down to the long, dark hair swaying in his face.
What surprised her was that he was not alone. A pretty red-headed woman stood at his side, a quiver of arrows strapped to her back and a bow slung around her shoulder. The girl approached with hesitancy lining her features, but her back stood straight, her chin held high. Rynn took a small step in front of the woman and grazed her arm with his fingers.
Now,thatwas interesting. Rynn, it seemed, had been busy.
“Who have you got there, brother?” Aidan slid toward Rynn and the girl, a devilish grin on his face. Rynn stared at him, stoic as always, but Jade swore his jaw twitched.
“This is Isla. I have much to explain, as I am sure you all do. Leave her alone, Aidan,” Rynn warned as Aidan stepped even closer to the woman—Isla. Aidan looked like a cat ready to pounce on a new toy. Jade knew him well enough to understand he was testing her, gauging how she responded to them. Trial by fire, as they say. If she was important enough to Rynn to be standing before them, they needed to know who she was. What she was made of.
“I can handle myself, Rynn. Nice to meet you, Aidan.” The girl slipped out from behind Rynn and shook Aidan’s outstretched hand. Jade raised an eyebrow at Kai. This was twice now she had been surprised; that didn’t happen often.
“Ah, Isla,” Aidan purred, kissing the top of her hand. “‘An island.’ A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.” He winked at Rynn.
“It’s about time someone had some manners around here.” Isla directed her comment at Rynn before turning back to Aidan.
Jade snorted. Against her better judgment, she rather liked this new girl.
Aidan, still holding Isla’s hand and basking in the glare Rynn was giving him, guided her toward Kai and Jade. “This is Kai.” He pointed in Kai’s direction.
“Any friend of Rynn’s is a friend of ours. And he doesn’t have friends, so that’s saying something,” Kai said with an amused smile as she shook Isla’s hand.
Turning to Jade, Aidan said, “And this is Jade.”
