Chapter 71
Tension bleeds into the atmosphere as everyone jumps to their feet, weapons at the ready. My hand moves to the dagger at my waist.
I replaced the wards as best as I could.
It seemed secure enough, so who else has gotten in here?
I sense a flickering flame and stubborn resolve.
My powers buzz beneath my skin as if calling to the power of one of our visitors.
I find myself stepping forward and Ava immediately follows, close by my side as we walk past the others. I’m surprised she doesn’t stop me.
I squint at the massive man a few paces ahead of us. The glow of our fire plays off the terrifying battle-axe raised in his hand. There are four others with him: another man just as tall, a slightly shorter woman with blond hair, and a brunette of average height and slender build.
But the person I’m most drawn to is the statuesque woman beside the axe wielder, her curtain of raven hair down to her hips. There’s a newfound rigidity to her narrow shoulders and a commanding stride as she approaches us with a flaming arrow aimed our way.
Her golden eyes are nearly as bright as the campfire, but very quickly, they soften, her flaming arrow snuffing out as her hands drop to her sides.
She says something I can’t make out, then she’s rushing toward me, her bow and arrow falling to the forest ground. She halts, her eyes brimming with tears, a pink scar slashed across her freckled face.
“Carys,” I say at last.
I hesitate at first, but then I step forward and pull her into a hug.
Her thin arms remain limp at her side for a moment before they wrap around me.
Then suddenly she’s crushing me to her. It’s a long moment before Carys finally steps back and her eyes dart around as if she’s searching for someone.
When she looks at me again, there’s slight panic in her eyes and a question in the quirk of her brow.
The crushing grief returns to me, and I shake my head slowly. “I’ll explain later,” I force myself to say.
She nods and inhales deeply. “Looks like we have a lot of catching up to do.”