“I’ve secured our prisoners below.They’ll survive until reinforcements arrive,” Cass said as she approached.
“You’re letting them live?Why?”That hadn’t been part of the original plan.She wanted them off her mountain immediately, not chained below to rot in darkness.
“This is bigger than just this incidence, an opportunity not to be wasted.But it’s safer for the kids if we don’t pause to extract information from them now,” Cass said.“I’ll send for someone to come collect them later.”
It must be killing Connor to walk away and not to interrogate them immediately.The men had terrorized and hurt the girls his team had died protecting.The children’s current safety was paramount though, and he wouldn’t jeopardize it for information.
“I don’t think you should let them live.”Veda’s chin pushed up with defiance, reminding Daya that she’d been through a traumatic situation with Connor before being captured a second time and brought to the fortress.
“Do you understand why Connor wants them held for questioning?”Daya asked carefully.This first moment was critical to their future bond.
“Yes.”Veda’s head dropped as she nodded, a sheen of tears glinting in the low light that suffused the room.
Through their bond, Daya could tell she was upset and feeling guilty, along with a deep loyalty to Connor.Veda hadn’t developed the age or experience to be truly comfortable wanting someone dead.But the base emotion was there.
Daya put her fingers under the girl’s chin and tipped her face back up.If Veda was to become a guardian, she needed to treat her like one.That meant honesty.
“I understand.I don’t want them alive either.”Surprise flickered in Veda’s eyes as she continued.“But the information they have might help more children.That’s important.Connor is an honorable warrior, and we need to respect his choice and help him.I’ll keep an eye on this area of the mountain until the men are retrieved.They won’t be hurting anyone again, I promise.”
“I believe you.”Veda’s relief that the men wouldn’t get away with what they’d done was clear in her words and through the bond.She might be weak now, but she had the internal strength to make a powerful guardian.
Cass gave Daya a meaningful nod before turning to clap Sev on the shoulder.“You’re up, Preddari.Let’s start packing out.It’s a long trek back.”
“You got it,shimira,” Sev said, using the name of a fierce, legendary leopardess with a tone of affection that made it an endearment.
It seemed Daya wasn’t the only one who took inspiration from the ancient stories and legends of Eldridge.
Cass shook her head at the hunter as she turned away, but Daya caught the slight change in expression that revealed the warrior enjoyed the moniker.
Another brick in the wall she had kept up between her and the visitors-turned-comrades disintegrated as she shared a smile with Sev.She hadn’t expected to like these people when they’d encroached on her territory and staked their claim on her sky hunter.
Sev took over directing the children, his relaxed and jovial manner earning a few half smiles from the weary refugees.He had been designated to lead the group on the journey back alongside her, leaving Cass and Connor free to defend them if conflict arose.
“Daya, do you want to help me bury the dead while Sev gets the kids ready to leave?”Cass asked.
“Yes, I picked a few spots around the perimeter that will work.”
She’d agreed to use her magic to help bury their enemies.It would speed things tremendously, as there were too many bodies to leave out for predators.Allowing the earth to reclaim them was right.
“The majority are here at the keep and in the guardhouse,” Cass said.
“Alright, let’s—”
A hunting cry sounded in her head, startling Daya to stillness as both Ereven and Ember shrieked a warning.
“Connor,” she whispered.
Daya snapped back into Ember’s mind, blinking to adjust her focus as the hawk barreled through the open stable doorway with dizzying speed in time to see Connor quietly approaching two armed mercenaries.
One of the fortress men was mostly hidden in a stall holding a huge dark horse.From Ember’s sight, she could see the second he spotted Connor.Instead of warning his comrade, he quickly picked up a tiny girl from where she stood at his feet and placed her on the black steed.It was the child she’d first seen with the horses—Connor’s other little girl, Opal.
Connor engaged the armed men, trying to force them back towards the stable door as Rodric stepped inside and caught their attention.The captain she’d seen on her previous visit to the fortress peeled away from Connor’s pursuit to focus on the hunter.
“What’s happening?”Cass demanded, pulling her attention away from the scene in the stable.
“Battling three more,” Daya reported.“They’re holding.”
A small hand curled around her wrist.Daya’s vision suddenly wavered and then returned as Veda’s presence shadowed her mind, proving instinct was just as valuable as formal learning, especially when strong emotions were involved.
