“Definemajority,” Caleb said in a voice that let it be known Caleb was only one wrong syllable from unleashing Aeron all over Shadow.
“I was given counter instructions by someone I trusted.”
“Who?”
Shadow shook his head. “I took a vow to never disclose that. But I believe what they told me.”
Caleb let out a feral growl. “You’re an idiot.”
“Of course I am. I followed you into battle, didn’t I,Commander? And what did it get me?”
A tic started in Caleb’s jaw. “As I recall, you came out of it a lot better off than I did.”
Shadow took a step forward and lowered his voice to that demonic, evil tone. “You really want to compare those scars, Malphas?”
Nick stepped between them. “All right. Ding! Ding! Fighters to your corners!” He gently nudged more room between them, then turned toward Shadow. “If you think the swords are where you left them, check and see. It’s an easy fix. Let’s make everybody happy. How ’bout that?” He met Caleb’s gaze. “Would that satisfy you?”
Stepping around Nick, Caleb slugged Shadow.
Shadow took the blow without flinching. All he did was wipe the blood away with the back of his hand while he glared angrily at Caleb. “Calm down. I took them into the Nithing. Nothing can get to them there.”
“Something did! I was just attacked by a group of them, including Takara!”
Shadow went pale. “Impossible.”
“If one more person says that word to me today I swear I’ll gut them!” Caleb growled those words out between clenched teeth. “I know my brother’s sword.”
Technically, it was his nephew’s. But since no one was supposed to know Xev was Jared’s real father, Nick didn’t bother to correct Caleb. Obviously, he didn’t trust Shadow with their well-kept secret.
Shadow stepped back. “No one, and I meanno one, knows that I have those swords.”
“Are you sure?”
He nodded. “Not even Jared was told.”
“How did you end up with them?” Nick asked.
Shadow let out a bitter, scoffing laugh as he raked him with a look that said he equated Nick to a talking gnat. “Who are you and why are you bothering us?”
Nick curled his lip as he let his own offense show. “Not the goo on the bottom of your shoe. That’s for sure.”
Caleb rolled his eyes. “He’s the Malachai.”
“Him?” He burst out laughing, until he realized Caleb was serious. “Really?”
“Yeah. Don’t underestimate him.”
The pained noise Shadow made said he was doubting, big time. But then, Nick was used to that.
Clearing his throat, he returned to Caleb’s question. “I hid them deep and have never breathed a word about their location. I knew better.”
“What about Lombrey?”
“Not even he could have found them. Believe me.”
“Yeah, well. Somebody did, Shadow. I didn’t stab myself.” He gestured to Vawn and Aeron. “And you’re lucky I’m not feeding you tothem. Especially given how ticked off they are right now.”
“You’re sure it wasn’t a Sarim medallion sword you faced?”
