“Yes.I would really like for you to join us, to belong with us.But it has to be your choice.There is a lot we’ll talk about before the commitment becomes permanent, but to start with, I think you just explore.Make this your home, and everything else will come if you let it.”
“Just open my heart, like Connor said.”
Daya’s throat thickened with gratitude for the gift Connor was giving them both by convincing Veda to give being a guardian a chance.“Yes, exactly.”
“Okay.”Veda smiled, a hint of real joy showing through the bravery.
Relief welled inside Daya that she’d successfully guided Veda through the first major hurdle.There was a short window of time before the commitment became fully binding and irrevocable.If everything went well, by the time spring rose, they would have a new guardian partner.
Chapter 22
Barrett’s Forest, Realm of Eldridge
Movingacrosstheclearing,Connor headed toward the small grove of velentha trees that bordered one side of their camp site.The trees were peaceful, sparkling with nectar in the glow of the moonlight.
Ducking into the center of the cluster hid him, dimming the sounds of the camp almost completely.The precious sound of laughter occasionally reached through the barrier of trees.Bursts of playful joy as the children exhibited the pre-sleep energy of youth.
The closer they got to home, to impending confrontations, the tenser he got.His stomach churning.His muscles constantly tense.His mind and magic on high alert.Breathing deeply brought the sweet scent of lentha into his lungs.That scent and the serenity of the beautiful Eldrin trees blanketed his nerves for a few moments.
A wisp of movement heralded Cass’s presence, his connection to the shadows giving her up to his magic senses.He groaned audibly to let her know she was invading his moment of peaceful solitude as she slipped into the shadow realm to join him.
“Go away, Cass.”
Cass chuckled unapologetically.“Nice to know you’re not intimidated by me anymore.I must be losing my edge.”
“You’re not as scary as you think you are.”
Truthfully, for all that she was his sister’s best friend, he’d always been quite intimidated by her.Weeks of journeying together had cured him of that.Mostly.
Besides the fact that she was more open and relaxed than he’d ever seen her, he was especially impressed by her respectful handling of Marin, the teen they’d rescued who had suffered extensive mental and physical abuse.Not all warriors had what it took to work with the rescued youth.
“Uh-huh,” she drawled.“Tell that to all the nervous citizens at home.”
“Does it bother you that your reputation precedes you?”he asked curiously.
Cass made a derisive sound.“Makes me unfit company you mean?”
Connor winced but didn’t deny it.“Your words, but yes.”
Most people were wary at best around the Wolflumen, appreciating the protection they offered yet not wanting such deadly individuals living beside them.
A tendril of tension eased out of Cass and rippled through the shadows.“Most of the time, no, not really.It becomes ignorable.On rare occasions, though… it bothers me more than you can imagine.”
“You shouldn’t have to get used to being ostracized.It’s wrong.”
“It is.”Cass quirked her mouth in a half smile.“But to change that, we’d have to integrate into society.That would eliminate our effectiveness.We need to exist totally apart to do what we do.”
“Not fitting cleanly into either world must be a challenge.”
“It is.And it will be even more of a challenge now that I have Marin as a soul-daughter.She’s too gentle to be accepted by the Wolflumen, and I can’t walk away to live a normal life.”
“Too gentle, really?”
Marin was a survivor and a fighter, from what he’d seen.
“Yes.Don’t get me wrong, I’ll train her to fight, regardless.I made that promise to her.But she’s too kind and gentle to become a wolf.She’s fierce and angry right now, but she doesn’t have the heart of a killer.And after all she’s been through, it would do her more harm to be cut out of society, away from Celina, Rodric, and the others.I may be the one she shadows, but severing those relationships would be just as harmful to her.She needs more light in her life, not more darkness.”
“She’s asleep now?”he asked.
