And then Ynpharion caught her in arms that were at least as stiff as her own. Her entire body was rigid; it was all she could do not to stab him, or not to try. Given his own turmoil, she might even have succeeded.
He kissed her.
His lips, against hers, were closed; they opened. She couldn’t force her own mouth to do the same—he could. She didn’t struggle; she could manage that much, because she understood, now, what the Consort intended.
Barrani were possessive. The mark itself was a symbol of, a gesture of, possession. It was a figurative warning. Perhaps a literal one. She kept her eyes closed; she tried to breathe. Spike helped; he was frantically buzzing.
The air thickened; she tasted the barest hint of smoke, of something burning that didn’t normally catch fire. She heard roaring in her ears, remembered to exhale, to inhale, and then Ynpharion let go. She stumbled, but Hope caught her before she could fall.
That, a familiar voice said,was extremely unwise.
She opened her eyes. Ynpharion was three yards away; he had resumed his position by the Consort’s side, his eyes indigo, his body no more relaxed than Kaylin’s. Nightshade was not standing in the hall.
“I have him,” Kaylin croaked.
“Good.”
Can you find your way back to us?She could no longer see him.
Yes. Nothing that might prevent it is currently standing in my way.
She didn’t want to talk to Nightshade. She didn’t want to talk to anyone. She wanted to go home and bathe.
You are remarkably squeamish.A hint of humor tinged the words; some of the stiffness left them.
Kaylin shrugged.
Ask the Consort if she might remain where she is currently standing. If that is not a possibility, ask that she allow you to remain where you are currently standing. Moving while bearingMeliannosis much more difficult than I had foreseen.
Put it away?
It is not that simple, sadly. An’Teela is not with you.
No. She’s scouting ahead.
Had Kaylin been speaking aloud, the words would have been lost to a sudden, guttural roar.
And she’s found something. Or something has found her.
Chapter 22
Kaylin wheeled instantly in the direction of the roar. And it was a roar, a wordless shout that reverberated in the shorter stone halls. The halls weren’t wide; they were probably tall enough that Teela could wield her sword if all of her strikes were top down. This was not the terrain for great swords.
The Consort began to move, and in her wake, almost orbiting her, Ynpharion and Evarrim followed. Kaylin began to follow, as well, but Hope placed a hand on her shoulder. “Not yet.”
“Can you see whatever it is that’s attacking?”
“Nothing is attacking,” Hope replied, his voice almost unnaturally soft.
“But the roaring—”
“Nothing is attacking yet.”
She grimaced. “Spike, go.” Spike moved swiftly down the hall, toward the Consort. Evarrim wouldn’t like it if he hadn’t been made aware of the situation, but she was certain the Consort could keep Evarrim in check.
“That is not entirely wise.”
“Nothing I ever do is. But if we’re waiting for Nightshade, I won’t lack muscle.” Her grimace deepened.
