Page 92 of The Silent
“Exactly. But he believes in her leadership, so he stays to bolster her. It gives the rest of the scribes confidence to know a strong scribeandsinger head the house, even if our watcher isfaraway.”
Leo thought about his former watcher, Damien, and his mate, Sari, who were such a powerful couple. “Ideally, watchers and their mates would fill those roles. Long ago that was typical, wasitnot?”
Alyah said, “I’m as young as you are, Leo. I don’t know how things were. Just how theyarenow.”
“We’re both operating at a disadvantage,aren’twe?”
“I don’t know.” Alyah smiled. “Maybe being young means that we’re not bound to the past like the others. The future will be what we make of it.” Alyah nodded at Kyra and the littlekareshtagirl. They were walking through the forest, Kyra pointing out the birds flying overhead. “Maybe our world needs young ones like us because we see possibilities where our eldersdonot.”
* * *
Three hours later,Ginny drove up in a van withSunshine Tours!emblazoned on the side. A tall, dignified Asian man walked with her as three other Irin shifted things in the van and another walked to the office at the front oftheinn.
Alyah met Ginny and bowed to both her friend and the tall man who accompanied her. Then she led them to where Leo and Niran werewaiting.
“Leo, this is Kenneth, the scribe I was telling you about. He came along in case some of the women needed atranslator.”
“He anticipated us,” Leo said. “Kenneth, wethankyou.”
Kenneth held out a hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.” His English accent revealed a crisp, British intonation. “Ginny tells me you’re from Istanbul. I’ve heard so much about the library in Cappadocia; it’s rumored to be the most complete in the easternMediterranean.”
“I don’t know about that as much as my watcher would,” Leo said. “But I’d be happy to offer an introduction if you ever want to visit. Alyah speaks very highlyofyou.”
“That would be wonderful,” Kenneth said before he turned to Niran. “And you are the Grigori watcher fromChiangMai?”
Niran started at the “watcher” label, but Alyah was quick tojumpin.
“He is,” she said. “Niran, this is Kenneth, a professor inBangkok.”
“And a scribe,”Niransaid.
“I am.” Kenneth smiled. “Sadly, more swift with my references than my blades. But I do think I can be of assistance to the young women we’re assisting, if you’d be kind enough tointroduceme.”
Niran relaxed at Kenneth’s warm, disarming introduction. He nodded and led Kenneth toward the bungalows, telling the professor what he knew about the human women, particularly the young woman from the Wa hilltribe.
Leo watched them walk toward Sura’s bungalow where the women and children were staying. He wondered what Kyra would make of Kenneth, and if she’d trust the women and children with him. She was cautious, and he could already see her becoming attached to both the baby and thelittlegirl.
She has a mother’sheart.
The thought of Kyra carrying his child leapt into Leo’s mind. He wanted that. In time. He wanted her to have the joy of motherhood and family. He wanted it for himself too. Leo didn’t know how to be a father, but he had observed Malachi caring for his two small children. Leo knew he would have the same love that Malachi did with Geron andMatti.
“What are you thinking about?” Ginnyaskedhim.
He sat on the porch. “Family.”
Ginny sat next to him. “Is she yourreshon?”
“Yes.”
“Are you certain? Or is it wishful thinking?” Ginny’s normally bright mood had shifted, and she sounded deadly serious. “Besure,Leo.”
“I’m sure.” He turned his eyes from staring at the bungalows. “I think we both knew from the beginning. My voice was always the clearest to her. My heart always rested with her. And her touch… It was only the world interfering. First the battle in Vienna. Her brother’s protectiveness. My reluctance to pursue her when I didn’t know herheart.”
“And now it’s herhealth.”
Leo said nothing. Alyah had performed a song to give Kyra strength, but he knew Ginny’s magic was stronger. Kyra didn’t appear weak after the excitement that morning, but Leo lived in a constant state ofworry.
He couldn’t perform the mating ritual and extend his magic to her without weakening himself for the coming fight. Yet he lived in fear that Kyra’s life would blink out withoutwarning.
