She lifted her chin as she met Ronan’s unrelenting stare, but she didn’t feel strong or brave right now. Her eyes burned from lack of sleep, and her quivering knees weren’t just trembling from sitting for hours. What were they going to do to her?
Saxon would protect her if they tried to hurt her, but she’d prefer he didn’t fight his friends because of her. Sherefusedto be the reason his world was torn apart.
“Elyse, this is Ronan,” Saxon said.
“Hi,” she murmured.
Ronan’s gaze fell to her cast before returning to her. “You look exhausted.”
“I am.”
He turned away as Lucien and Asher maneuvered Logan’s body out of the van. Logan kicked and squirmed in their hold, making it difficult for them to carry him.
“Let’s get him inside,” Ronan said.
Saxon slid his arm around Elyse’s waist and drew her against his side. He hadn’t considered it was possible, but she looked worse than when he first encountered her in the cabin. The shadows under her eyes had spread until they looked more like two black eyes. Judging by the feel of her bones beneath his hand, she’d lost more weight.
“I’ll find you some food and a place to sleep soon,” he assured her before turning to Ronan. “Is Killean here?”
“Yes. After seeing two of my men on the news, I decided it was best to have as many fighters here as possible.”
Saxon had hoped to avoid Killean for a little longer, but maybe it was best to get it over with now. He guided Elyse up the steps and into the cabin. The heads of deer, moose, and a couple of bears decorated the knotty, pine wood walls, along with stuffed fish. A fire crackled in the brick fireplace across the way, and logs were stacked neatly beside it.
Beams lined the cathedral ceiling, and a fan remained unmoving above them. To the left was a small kitchen with a fridge and two-burner stove. A pot sat on one of the burners, and the scent of cooking food drifted from it. Three doors were closed, but a fourth was open, and a light was on within.
Killean stood near the fire with his arms crossed over his chest while Nathan leaned against the counter dividing the kitchen and main living area. Killean’s normally golden eyes burned red when they landed on Elyse, and the scar on his face became more noticeable when his jaw clenched.
Saxon tightened his hold on Elyse while he stared at his friend. They’d worked together for a hundred and fifty years, and been friends for nearly as long, but Saxon would fight Killean to the death to keep Elyse safe.
Ronan’s mate, Kadence, appeared in the open doorway as they carried Logan inside. Her silvery blonde hair hung in a braid over her shoulder, and her azure eyes shone with apprehension. Betrothed to Logan as a hunter, Kadence hadn’t been happy with the arrangement, but she accepted it until she met Ronan. Logan had wanted the marriage, and it took him some time, but eventually he got over the end of it. However, they were still friends.
“This room is ready,” Kadence said and waved her hand behind her.
Lucien and Asher carried Logan into the room, and Ronan followed. Kadence went after them.
“Is there a bathroom?” Elyse asked.
“Right there,” Nathan said and pointed at the door nearest the kitchen. “I’m making you some soup.”
The unexpected kindness caused tears to burn her eyes; she was more exhausted than she realized if soup was going to make her cry. “Thank you.”
Saxon walked with her to the bathroom and stood outside while he waited for her.
“Did you have a baby yet?” Declan asked Nathan.
“Not yet,” Nathan said. “And hopefully the baby will stay where it is until I return home.”
Elyse left the bathroom, and Saxon took her hand as Nathan went to the stove and ladled some soup into a bowl. He placed a spoon in it and set it on the counter.
“Elyse, this is Nathan,” Saxon said as she lifted the spoon. “Kadence’s twin and the leader of the hunters.”
The handsome man with black hair and azure eyes smiled at her, but though he was kind to her, she sensed distrust in his gaze. This cabin might prove to be as bad as her last one. Maybe she wasn’t a prisoner—and she wasn’t sure about that—but they weren’t going to let her walk freely out of here.
“And that is Killean,” Saxon said and waved at the man glaring daggers at her from across the room. She’d assumed as much, but having it confirmed and seeing the hatred radiating from him made her push the bowl away.
“Hi,” she muttered.
He didn’t blink.
