“Never thought you’d be entering this water when I told you about the Gully, huh?” Havar says as he comes to stand beside me, and I snort.
“Hell no. I remember backing up the second you said something about creatures. I can’t believe we’re going in there.”
“Me neither. Is it crazy I’m kind of excited to see if I have awareness with the creatures we may come across like I do the ones who live on land with us?”
“I have no doubt you’ll sense them, Havar. That’s supposed to be your strong suit after all.”
The hairs on the back of my neck prickle and myawarenessof the god behind me amplifies tenfold.
Havar turns around more relaxed than I do and I give Collum a tight smile.
“How’s your journey been so far, Thayla?”
“It’s been a journey, that’s for sure. And yours?”
How fucking awkward.
“Interesting. I’ve heard countless intriguing stories.” His eyes trail up and down my body and my blood heats beneath my skin.
I force myself to stay collected when I feel Havar move his gaze over to me.
“I can only imagine given the gods you’re escorting.”
“Yes—”
“Collum, give Thayla and me a minute alone.”
Collum’s gaze whips to Havar and narrows for a brief second. The tension between the three of us rises until he finally nods.
“Of course. See you both soon.”
I flex my fingers, preparing myself for whatever Havar’s about to say.
“Has he made you uncomfortable before now? You completely shut down the second he walked up.”
“It’s nothing.”
“Don’t give me that shit. I’ve thought he’s been standoffish and weird with me because I got selected for this and he didn’t, but that whole interaction and the way you reacted was completely out of the normal for you.”
I scrunch my nose at the fact he’s literally been able to read my ass since the second we met.
“I really don’t want to talk about it. It’s awkward, that’s all.”
“What’s awkward?” Yemi asks as she joins us, and I give her a look that says not to press any more.
“Do you know why Thayla doesn’t care for Collum, and is it something I should be worried about?”
Yemi chuckles, then slams her mouth shut. “Nope, not a clue.”
“You’re both lying to me now and that’s taurnshit.”
“Just drop it, cousin, before you cost your friend his life.”
“Yemi,” I bark and she laughs as she links her arm through mine and pulls me forward toward the shoreline where Rose is standing, staring into the rising sun.
“Sorry, but I couldn’t help it. I’ve watched the way he’s been watching you these few days and it makes me uncomfortable. I’ve been tempted a few times to tell one of your many men, but his death being because of me makes me feel bad.”
“So you decided to slip a little information to Havar so he’ll blab?”
