I led her straight to the barracks, accepting Ronen’s salute when he met us at the door to debrief. Just inside, Voski waited as well. We stopped in the entryway, no other Furyknights in the halls for the moment, which was a relief.
The three of us stood over Bren, who folded her arms and looked defensive though no one had said anything.
“I told him to sit in the lounge and wait, that we would bring her to him,” Ronen said tightly. Then he spoke to her directly. “You don’t have to speak with him, Bren. We can handle this for you if—”
“I need to,” she said. “It might be about mother.”
Ronen’s lips thinned. “Your mother is here, as well.”
Bren rocked back on her heels. “What would bring both of them?” she hissed. “Did he tell you anything?”
Ronen shook his head. “I didn’t pry, and he didn’t offer. But I’m happy to send Gil in to talk to him—he won’t give two shits if his questions aren’t welcome.”
Bren’s lips curled up briefly, but she shook her head. “No. No, it’s fine.”
Then she went quiet, frowning.
I wished I could touch her. “Bren, the choice is yours. Are you certain you want to speak with him?”
She bit her lip, then nodded. “Yes. I need to get past this,” she said, her eyes flickering up to mine with warmth and gratitude glowing there behind the fear. I felt it in the bond, and shoveled my love and reassurance back to her. “If he’s cruel, he can leave,” she continued. “But…” she sought my eyes again. “This might be the only chance.”
Because we were leaving.
I nodded, but had to speak through clenched teeth. “Then let’s go.”
42. That Kind of Woman
~ BREN ~
It was the strangest feeling, walking through the barracks that I’d only been inside a handful of times to play cards, telling myself that my parents were here. It didn’t seem real. And what could they possibly want?
When we left the front door and started up the stairs, I found Gil standing casually on the first landing, Jhoare at his side. They both nodded to me as I passed, then fell in line behind Ronen and Voski.
I felt Donavyn’s hand brush my back as we turned up the next flight of stairs, but then he pulled it back. I gave him a weak smile from the side. I wished he could touch me, too.
On the next level of the barracks, Einar stood in the doorway, speaking with another Furyknight I didn’t know. He excused himself when he saw us, and joined Gil and Ronen.
Harle waited on the last floor. Then Oros stood at the doorway into the floor, as if he were guarding it. I was so gratefulto all of them, but their attendance only made me have to swallow tears. I was touched.
Together, we walked quickly up the hallway of the third floor where my brothers’ barracks were, towards the lounge at the end. It was a smaller room, so less popular with the squads. We’d played cards there before.
The walk down the corridor towards that door seemed to last forever. My breath grew short. I had to hold my ground. Not let Father assume things about why I was here. I had to walk in, just tell them what had happened, and not to worry. Hear their news if they had any, then tell them I was very busy and about to leave on mission.
That was it, that would be my escape if I needed it. Except, I couldn’t be rude. They’d left the farm and traveled all this way—something important must have happened. But what could that mean if—
“Bren, breathe.”
Donavyn caught my elbow and held it a second too long, tugging me gently to a stop just a few feet from that door.
I gulped at the air and looked up at him, certain I looked pathetic, though I kept my chin up and tried to keep my face blank.
“Breathe,” he repeated quietly, glancing past me to my brothers who had followed. “Remember who you are. Remember what you’ve achieved. He has no power here. You do,” Donavyn said firmly.
I sucked in a deep breath. “You’re right. Thank you.” My brothers crowded behind me, all of their faces tense, but alert. “Thank you, all of you,” I said, swallowing another pinch in my throat.
“You can do this, Bren. But we’re here if you need us. We’ll stay right behind you,” Ronen said firmly, and nodded once. My brothers all murmured their agreement.
“Thank you. This is strange. But thank you.”
