Page 144 of Ashborne: Defiance

“You frightened him?”

“Well, he startled.”

Gil gaped and Bren laughed.

“What is it? I don’t understand?”

“I’m the one who doesn’t understand,” Gil spluttered. “I thought he was exaggerating. But you say you actually startled him? He didn’t know you were there?”

“No.”

“But… how?”

I couldn’t tell if Gil thought it was funny, or truly believed I’d done a terrible thing—laughing the way you would when a child was naughty. I glanced at Bren, but she just nodded for me to tell him.

“I can follow anyone. At least, anyone I’ve tried so far.”

Gil’s eyes narrowed. “You’re bragging.”

“She doesn’t brag,” Bren said, nudging him with her elbow.

“I’m not bragging,” I said carefully. “That’s how Koa chose me. I followed him into the woods. For hours. But at some point Kham caught wind of me.”

Gil turned to watch Voski, who was now far on the other side of the launch hollow and heading for the door into the stable.

“This I have to see.”

I shrugged. “Anyone can be followed if you’re patient and quiet enough.”

“Not Voski,” Gil snorted. “Believe me, I’ve tried.”

“Perhaps you’re simply too heavy-footed?” I asked carefully.

Bren’s brows flew up and she jumped in as Gil stopped smiling.

“He’s not, Grace. I promise. Gil is excellent at these things—it’s just how it is between the brothers. You know? They get competitive and… well, Gil’s never been able to sneak up on Voski. I’d like to learn from you, if you don’t mind? Especially if you’re better at it than Gil.”

Gil shot her a glare, and Bren grinned.

“I’ll admit,” Gil said airily, “I’d like to see what you can do. How about a wager?”

“Oh, I don’t gamble,” I said.

Gil’s expression went flat.

“But I’d be happy to show you that I can, if that would help? Only, how do we do that without angering him? I don’t want to startle him again.”

“Oh, I think you do,” Gil said with a sly smile. “We just have to plan the appropriate moment, that’s all.”

50. State of the Union

~ VOSKI ~

I had been so frustrated when Kham reached for me in the link.

‘Shadowfang meeting tonight.’

After Grace’s Acknowledgement, and the humbling nature of that conversation after she’d found me at my solitude, I had been looking forward to a couple of days without responsibility. I needed to get my feet under me again. Let my heart return to its normal beat.