"You were there," I breathe, pieces falling into place with horrible clarity. "When they took Nia. You were with the Stonevein warriors who?—"
Her mask drops completely, revealing calculation and malice that transform her beautiful features into something predatory. "Clever little human," she says with contempt that makes my skin crawl. "Too bad you figured it out too late."
Terror floods my system as training takes over, body moving before conscious thought can interfere. I turn and run toward the settlement with desperation born of absolute certainty thatcapture means death, feet pounding against frozen ground while branches tear at my clothing.
Behind me, Sera curses in words I don't understand but recognize as threats, pursuit that crashes through undergrowth with orcish strength and endurance that will eventually overtake human speed despite my head start.
"Help!" I scream toward the distant lights of home, voice carrying across winter air with raw desperation. "Kai!"
The settlement seems impossibly far despite having traveled this direction for only minutes, darkness and panic distorting distance until every step feels inadequate against approaching doom. My lungs burn with cold air and exertion while terror provides energy that should be impossible to maintain.
Then massive shapes emerge from settlement shadows, moving with predatory speed that makes hope flare in my chest. Kai leads a group of warriors toward my location like an avenging storm, ice-blue eyes blazing with fury that makes his usual controlled demeanor seem like pale shadow.
"Saela!" His voice carries relief and rage in equal measure as he reaches me, massive arms encircling my trembling frame with protective force that makes breathing possible again.
I collapse against his solid warmth, legs shaking with adrenaline and relief as safety registers on levels deeper than conscious thought. His heart pounds against his ribs where my cheek presses to his chest, evidence that his calm exterior conceals panic equal to my own.
"I'm okay," I gasp against the fur of his winter cloak. "I'm okay."
His arms tighten around me with desperate strength, as if physical contact can confirm my safety when words feel inadequate. "Drek came to get me," he explains roughly. "Said Sera was leading you away from the settlement. I thought... fuck, I thought..."
He doesn't finish the sentence, but his voice carries terror that matches what I felt during the escape attempt. The realization that his fear matched mine, that my safety matters to him on levels beyond simple duty or political necessity, makes something warm unfurl in my chest despite lingering adrenaline.
"She's Stonevein," I manage between shaking breaths. "Setting trap."
Kai's entire frame goes rigid with fury that radiates dangerous heat. "Where is she?"
"Coming through the trees," I reply, gesturing toward the direction of pursuit. "Following me."
He releases me only long enough to signal the warriors who accompanied him, hand gestures that send them spreading through the area in search patterns designed to contain rather than confront. Professional coordination that speaks to experience with similar situations.
"Take her alive if possible," he orders quietly. "We need information about Stonevein movements and any other infiltrators."
The next few minutes pass in tense waiting as search teams move through undergrowth with methodical precision. Eventually they emerge with Sera restrained between two massive warriors, her beautiful face twisted with rage and defiance that makes her earlier performance of vulnerable refugee seem like a distant memory.
Kai's expression shifts into something terrible to witness, controlled fury that makes his usual stoic demeanor seem gentle by comparison. "What are you after?"
"Something you wouldn't understand," Sera spits with venom that reveals her true nature. "Stupid Frostfang. So eager to help injured female that you never questioned obvious lies."
The admission confirms suspicions about timing and convenience that should have triggered more immediate caution. Her entire presence here was elaborate deception designed to gather intelligence and possibly eliminate specific targets.
Targets like me.
"Why Saela specifically?" Kai demands in a tone that carries lethal undertones.
Sera's smile turns cruel. "Because she's more useful than anyone else here. She knows too much."
The confirmation makes cold settle in my stomach, understanding that my presence here created danger for people I've grown to care about. Stonevein wanted me dead badly enough to risk elaborate infiltration, investment of time and resources that speaks to the perceived threat I represent.
"Take her to the holding cells," Kai orders with finality. "Full guard rotation. No contact with other prisoners."
As the warriors escort Sera away, her venomous curses echoing through winter air, I realize my entire body is shaking with delayed reaction to mortal danger. Only Kai's solid presence keeps me upright as adrenaline fades into exhaustion that makes standing feel impossible.
"Come here," he murmurs, gathering me against his massive frame with tenderness that contrasts sharply with the lethal fury he displayed moments earlier.
I melt into his warmth, allowing his strength to support weight I can't carry alone. His large hands frame my face with careful reverence, thumbs brushing across cheekbones as ice-blue eyes search for signs of injury or trauma.
"You're safe," he says quietly, words carrying promise and relief in equal measure. "I've got you."
