Page 53 of Power of Five
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Leralynn
Acampfire’s crackling flames. The rhythmic beat of the waterfall. Shade’s strong arms wrapped around me protectively. My nose pressed into his warm chest. Perfect as it all is, none of it can quiet my heart’s sudden gallop when Tye steps out of the Gloom and nods subtly.
Klarissa is almost here—approaching us in the Gloom. Two hours after I used my blood on her stone to call out to her. Even traveling through the Gloom, that she made it here in two hours means the female was close by already. Just waiting for my call.
I meet Tye’s eyes, expecting him to say as much.
Instead, the red-haired male bristles and twists toward River. “Why is my Lilac Girl in that dog’s lap?” He braces his hands on his hips. “Need I remind you that the last time we left the two of them alone, he nearly chased her away?”
River tears off a juicy rabbit quarter, shaking off the drops of fat. “What do you want me to do about it, Tye?”
Tye settles on the ground and pats his thigh. “Tell her to sit on my lap instead.”
Shade licks his canines.
“Are you two serious?” I hiss just as Coal joins us at the fire, appraising the situation with a practiced glance.
“I believe the mortal is comfortable where she is,” Coal tells Tye. “Would you like me to sit on your lap instead as a consolation prize?”
I’m about to push myself up and sit in my own bloody space when the air a few paces away ripples in a familiar motion. Like watching steam billow from a pot. My hand tightens against Shade’s arm, digging into his flesh with what has to be painful force—though he gives no sign of being bothered.
“Last supper?” Klarissa says, stepping gingerly over loose stones. Despite the late hour, the female looks as spectacular as when I last saw her. Her dress, a formfitting silk the color of bitter chocolate, shimmers like liquid gold in the firelight. The flames likewise catch on Klarissa’s topaz brooch and earrings, the latter swaying rhythmically under their great weight. She sniffs the air, her nostrils flaring delicately. “There is no reason to be afraid anymore, Leralynn. You will be safe now that you’ve found the presence of mind to call me.”
I glance at River, my mouth suddenly dry.
River stays just as he was, ignoring my gaze. Right. This part is on me.
Pushing myself away from Shade, I stride up to the female and bow deeply. “I cannot thank you enough for coming, Elder,” I say, holding the bow piously. “The males are doing their best, but they can’t keep me safe the way you could.”
Klarissa’s face dissolves into a benevolent smile and she holds a slender hand out to me. “Tell me what you want, child.”
I straighten, taking the offered hand. “Please take Pyker away.”
Klarissa’s face freezes. “Pyker?”
River gets to his feet, his hands clasped behind his back as he shakes his head and comes to stand beside me. “That male attempted to murder Leralynn. We caught the rogue, of course, but Pyker’s very presence frightens her still. We explained ten times over that the bastard can’t hurt her anymore, but Leralynn insisted we call you. Said there is no one she trusts more to deal with the traitor.”
Icy silence settles over the clearing, the crackling fire trying and failing to dispel the chill. I release Klarissa’s hand and feel Coal step up behind me, stopping opposite River on my other side. Then Tye. A light flashes in the corner of my vision and Shade’s wolf trots up as well, yawning lazily as he stretches out before my feet, blocking the path between Klarissa and me. Even without us all touching, the power of five pulses through my veins, waking the strength inside me.
Klarissa clears her throat, her hands smoothing her wrinkle-free dress. “The males can take care of Pyker, Leralynn. Let me take you home first, and then I promise you that the traitor will be dealt with severely.”
I raise my chin. “Home?” My voice is clear and loud as it pierces the night, my heart punctuating each syllable. “I am already home, Elder. Home is wherever my quint is.”
“Oh, blessed stars,” Klarissa throws up her hands and wheels on River, her eyes dismissing me like a newly noticed piece of rubbish. “Enough of this, River. We are not in Slait Court any longer, and there is no more jurisdictional conflict. Explain to the mortal what must be done and let us spare everyone the trip to the Citadel.”
“I already explained, Elder. Leralynn and the others all understand the requirement that we renew our oath before the full council.” There is nothing kind in River’s smile. “Unless the rest of the council has vested you with the power to accept our oath yourself?”
“The oath?” Klarissa’s hand tightens into a fist. “You will take the oath with this... creature?”
“Yes,” says River, adding after a heartbeat, “You’ve always had astute observational skills, Klarissa. It appears this evening is no exception.”
Klarissa’s eyes flash and she takes a step forward.
Shade’s wolf growls.
Klarissa stops, her eyes alight with murder. “Present your quint to the Citadel, River. We shall talk again then,” she says, biting off each word before turning her back to us and stalking toward the camp’s edge, her hips swaying. “Fetch me Pyker, one of you,” she calls over her shoulder, snapping her fingers in emphasis. “I’ve no more time to waste here.”
