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She gawked at their bags, bulky on her cot. “H-How long have you known we were here?”
“About a moon.” He considered that, tilting his head. “Maybe two. I haven’t been here the entire time.”
That was it? She’d been seeing that wolf since spring, and it was now early fall. And if he was beastshifting to spy on them, she would’ve felt him approaching until he reached the Flare’s blind spot. It was equally odd he managed to avoid Luka completely too.
Fists tight, she stepped to their bags, digging through them and mumbling to herself over the accuracy of what was inside, and the things missing. She paused a few times, wondering if she was acting of her own accord or not. As she was packing Luka’s favorite books stowed under his pillow, Draven pushed himself off of the wall.
“Finish up,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of ground to make in a short amount of time.”
“Now?” For some reason the concept of an overnight hike hit her as the most ridiculous thing about this situation. “It’s pitch-black outside.”
“Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the dark?”
Lily’s knuckles burned from how tightly she was gripping the bag’s straps. And who’s fault is that?
Draven’s eyes shifted to beside her. She followed his gaze, expecting to see something, maybe a rouge shadow, but found nothing. Was he looking at her emotional aura?
He cleared his throat then glowered at Luka. The boy gulped down a nervous swallow, but Draven’s voice was as soft as it was commanding. “Wait outside.”
Luka didn’t even look at her. His eyes glimmered, and he smiled tautly. As the boy shuffled out of the cabin, Lily moved to meet him, but Draven stepped in her way—reaching for the door and closing it.
“I get the feeling you and I are going to have a problem.”
“You wouldn’t be far off the mark,” Lily seethed.
He chuckled. “In case I wasn’t clear, I’m expecting your cooperation, not requesting it.”
“I’m doing what you asked. It doesn’t mean I have to be happy about it.”
“Yes, but it’s a long walk to Rimore, and I’d prefer not to waste energy dampening your bad mood the entire time.”
“I never asked you too.” Lily folded her arms. “In fact, I’m telling you right now that I don’t want your sickly soul anywhere near my emotions.”
“Only if I can trust you to keep your vile hands to yourself and as far away from me as possible. So, likely never.”
Lily rolled her eyes, muttering complaints under her breath. At least the Wraith acted as a natural deterrent from the worst kind of people. She studied the one before her—his figure still shrouded in shadows, the dim light masking any expressional intent. “You’re really taking us to Rimore? And not back to the empire?”
The second inquiry creeped timidly into existence as quietly as Draven regarded it.
“I am here for Amalia and no one else,” he simply said.
Lily narrowed her eyes. “I have questions.”
“I’m sure you do.”
“Let’s start with how—”
Draven rubbed a finger against his temple. “If it’s all the same to you, I’d like to be done with the first hurdle of this trip sooner rather than later. Questions only further reduce my—”
“Patience. I get it.” She groaned. “Fine, but I need to know you won’t hurt Luka.”
“Not today. Didn’t I say that already?”
“That’s not good enough!”
The shadows whipped around Draven. “I don’t need to tell you that Amalia doesn’t want that child anywhere near her city. He is in possession of a soul that never belonged to him, and the only reason he’s still breathing is because we are allowing it on your behalf for our benefit.”
Fear—cold and paralyzing—pressed like a heavy palm to her chest. No matter how pure of heart he might be, could Amalia really never look past Luka’s blood? She’d never allow him to be the Guardian simply because it didn’t choose him?
