Something was wrong. Even if he was using a cover, there was no need for that hint of menace with no other witnesses. What had happened to him?
Her healer’s gaze ran over him in assessment as he stalked toward them. A distinct limp gave his gait an uneven pattern. One of his arms was stiff, moving significantly less than the other. He was thin, but not gaunt, and his clothing was clean, if a little ill-fitted. Blond hair shorter than he had ever worn made his face appear rounder, fuller, than she was used to. He didn’t look like the man who had hugged her goodbye some months ago, yet her heart leapt.
She shifted her weight, wanting to intercept him, but Rodric moved just barely, reminding her to stay back until any hidden threats had been revealed. All she wanted was to run to her brother, ecstatic that he was alive. With some effort, she reined in her instincts and waited.
Connor called out a warning as he approached. “This is private property. You should leave unless you have business here.” The bird screeched in agreement.
Thank the stars.“Connor, we found you!” He could change his appearance, but not his voice. Joy and triumph crashed through her in waves. He was truly alive.
Connor stood his ground. A blade appeared in his hand as if from thin air. At least some things were the same, but his movement gave her a sour feeling.
“You need to leave. We don’t appreciate unwelcome visitors.” Connor turned his attention from her to Rodric, assessing him with a soldier’s gaze. Whatever he saw made him harden even more, shifting his stance slightly as if to block the entrance to the barn behind him.
Rodric matched his movements, shifting to block Celina and keep her brother straight in front of him.
Not good.Desperate for him to see her clearly and ignoring the pang of unease she felt from Rodric through their bond, she stepped a few feet to the side. “Connor, it’s me, Celina. Your sister. Don’t you recognize me?”
A look she couldn’t interpret crossed his features. “My name is Raiden. You’ve found the wrong man.”
The earth fell away. Her brother didn’t know who she was.
Chapter 21
Hannelore Mountain, Realm of Eldridge
Rodricclenchedandreleasedthe muscles in his arms. He was ready to defend them if necessary. Celina was giving an emotional appeal, but he’d known the moment Connor shifted into a rigid stance that her pleas would do no good. Connor’s mind was elsewhere, his primary goal to defend and protect whoever was in the barn.
“You know me, Connor,” Celina continued in a pleading voice. “I took over our family after Mom died. You helped me raise our baby sister, Cat. You came here on an important mission and got injured.”
“Celina.” Rodric sharpened his voice to remind her of hidden dangers, and she abruptly cut off her words.
His eyes moved over the barn, looking for other access points. There was definitely someone else in there, listening.
A whinny from Rogue broke a tiny bit of tension. Rodric could feel the horse’s excited desire to greet his master, but he had impressively kept still, waiting for a command to move from one of them. He doubted Zora would have shown as much restraint.
Connor’s eyes flicked to Rogue for what must have been the tenth time, emotions darkening in their depths. A good soldier, his eyes never stayed locked in one place, but the number of times they’d settled on the horse was a clear indication of where his mind was at.
“This is Rogue.” Celina gestured at the horse. “You trained him yourself to be your partner. To be a warhorse.”
Rodric’s heart hurt for both of them. It must be a twist of the knife that Connor knew his horse on some level more than he recognized his sister. A heavy breath blown from Zora’s nostrils made him check that thought. He’d probably be the same in such a situation. And wouldn’t Sev get a kick out of that?
Celina gave a soft command to Rogue, permitting him to move. He jumped forward in enthusiasm and trotted straight to Connor, nearly pushing him over with an affectionate head butt to the chest. Connor stroked Rogue’s face and neck with his free hand, murmuring softly to him. A fine tremor was visible in the movement of his fingers over the gray coat.
“I know you don’t remember me right now, but I need to know you’re safe, and that your injuries are healing. I felt them all the way from,”—Celina caught herself and cleared her throat—“home… and knew you were alive, even when they declared you dead.”
Connor gave no indication that he heard or believed a word she said, but Rodric caught the small movement as he flexed the hand of his bad arm—his sword arm. Something in her statement resonated with him.
Deciding it was time to end the standoff, Rodric addressed her brother. “You’re a warrior, Connor. Trust your instincts. We’ve traveled a long way to find you, brought you your horse, and we need your help. So, either fight me or we’ll call a truce and talk. Innocent lives are at stake.”
Regardless of what else could be said, Calderre’s warrior training seemed deeply ingrained. The need for action to save other lives sharpened the situation, and Connor assessed him with the penetrating eyes of a seasoned warrior. Jaw clenched tight, he met Rodric’s gaze for a long moment, searching for truth, before nodding his assent.
Sheathing his knife, Connor turned and held his hand out toward the barn. “Daya, it’s alright.”
Unsurprisingly, a woman stepped outside. Of equal height with Connor, she had long dark hair pulled back from her face. Her typical Eldrin outfit was marred by thick black leather covering her, almost akin to arm shields. The heavy material was custom made to wrap loosely but securely from wrist to elbow on both her arms. It seemed they had found their wing huntress.
Turning toward the woman, Connor spoke quietly into her ear before handing her Rogue’s reins. She nodded, moving to take the horse inside. As she gave them her back, Rodric saw a flash of deep turmoil churning in her eyes. They weren’t the only ones deeply affected by this situation. Although, if he had to guess, he’d say her feelings opposed theirs—she was not pleased at the prospect of Connor’s rescue. She’d have to get over it. He followed her progress until she disappeared into the barn.
Connor was eyeing him fiercely when Rodric returned his gaze, a clear message to leave the woman alone. Connor gestured meaningfully toward the house, waiting obstinately for Rodric to move in front of him. Under other circumstances, he might have laughed. Something told him the huntress wouldn’t tolerate that overly protective behavior for long. Something in her posture reminded him of Cass.
