“Under the circumstances… yes. Other options won’t reach Brenna with the speed you need. My teams are highly capable, but I can’t free up any of my warriors with the talent to recover that trail or track Connor. That’s a rare skill, and the only two warriors I have who could help are out in the field on classified missions.”
“What about private trackers?”
Morgan’s expression soured. “They exist. But I wouldn’t vouch for them. They work for pay and have no loyalty beyond it. They’ll be no help in a crisis.”
“You’d choose to find Connor? If it were Sarai being held captive?”
“In a heartbeat. Freeing her won’t be easy, especially if she’s at a holding facility. In that scenario, which is likely, I’d want either Connor or Cass with me to infiltrate. They’re not trackers but have other skills and abilities you’ll need. And Connor will know where to look. My teams work off the intel gathered by his division.”
Relief washed over Rodric at the confirmation that their plan could work. “I trust that Celina can do as she claims and track Connor’s lifeforce once we’re close, but I need confirmation that he was in the right geographic area to help us.”
Morgan gave a wry grin. “At the risk of Cass murdering me when she finds out I’m allowing Celina to leave the realm with you… I’ll see what I can unearth.”
“Even if it means breaking protocol?”
“Cass and Celina are family to me,” Morgan whispered.
And maybe it was. Had it been Sev begging him for help, he would give anything. Break any laws to help the man who had stood by him without ever wavering.
“Thank you, Morgan.”
The man nodded, then shifted his gaze to his daughter.
Rodric did the same, watching the light fade from the sky as the women continued their attempt to save the boy.
His experience at the orphanage made him certain of one thing. Celina was an honorable woman with a lot of fight in her. She would die trying before she let him down. She was exactly what he needed. He only hoped Morgan could give them a place to look.
Chapter 8
Defiantwintersunstreamedthrough the trees to warm Celina’s skin as she walked, weaving between the family cabins until she reached the border where the forest met the refugee compound. Rodric was standing just inside the shadows created by the large evergreen trees.
Majestic sweeping branches of green framed him, making him look like a king of the forest. His serious eyes watched the midday activity in a much different way than they had upon his entry to the compound. Judging by his body language as he stood guard at the edge of the clearing, his experience the prior day had made a great impact on him. Instead of suspicious curiosity, he now emanated a guarded interest. The sight warmed her as much as the tenacious rays of light.
When they first met, she hadn’t asked for his name. Knowing that he had the potential to destroy her or make a million dreams take flight. In the midst of heartache and fear, she had wanted one moment to hold on to. One moment to light the dark places of her soul when she needed it most. The choice hurt, as she had been so drawn to him.
The next morning, she’d woken up to a changed world. A world where her brother was presumed dead, and she was the bearer of sole responsibility to bring him home. The weight of the world was heavy, but she had a protected glow in her soul from her time spent in his arms.
Rodric.She whispered the name with a caress on her lips. The man who, if he was willing, might be the answer to everything, might hold her heart in his hands if she let him. Celina gazed upon him in awe as she approached, her heart beat escalating. The core of her being swirled with light and joy until it encompassed all of her.
“There you are.” She crossed the line of sunlight drawn across the forest floor and stepped into his space.
“Celina.” He smiled softly at her before taking on a serious appearance, assessing every inch of her for signs of distress.
She shivered, enjoying the weight of his eyes, even if it was born of worry. He’d watched her the same way the night before, when he carried her against his chest after the healing. His presence had eased her into sleep, knowing she was protected and not alone as she recovered from the crash.
“Thank you for staying while I worked with Sarai yesterday, and for guarding me last night. Did you sleep at all?”
“Enough.” His concerned gaze met hers. “You were sleeping so deeply, I was worried I wouldn’t know if you were in trouble.”
The gentle, remembered touch of his fingers on her temple, in her hair, made her smile. “It’s normal, I promise. I’m sorry I couldn’t stay awake long enough to explain.”
“Morgan warned me, but it was still… unsettling.”
“I’m okay, I promise.”
She took hold of his hand. It was heavy, powerful, and solid. Worn and scarred. She looked up into his eyes, dark as the forest at dusk, deep green with flecks of golden light.
Rodric cleared his throat. “Morgan wants to see us once you’ve recovered. I spoke to him while you were working. He’s going to try to help us.”
