Page 72 of Shadow Master
I didn’t glance his way as he joined us and didn’t move as Hyde stepped aside to make room for the fey.
“They were born in the mist,” Orion explained. “Their bodies have evolved to need the mist. An hour more and they’ll be gone.”
“It looks so strange,” Lloyd said. “The posts … They look so bare and pointless now.”
“They kept us safe for long enough,” Hyde said.
“No more safety net,” Devon growled.
“No need,” Aidan said. “We’ll be ready for the fuckers when they come.”
Kash was silent, reflective. He stood to my left, his wiry, athletic form dwarfed by the twins, but a quiet resilience radiated off him. A power that called to mine. Our weaver power.
He might not have the brawn, but Kash and the weaver cadets had another power at their fingertips, one that would prove essential in the fight to come.
This was the end of an era. An end to a defense that was now useless to us. Scouts were prepped and ready to cross the three sectors and signal the fomorian militia. In a few hours, our camp would be home to an army.
The smell of cooking meat was rich in the air as the Academy cooks worked hard at putting together a feast.
Tonight, we’d welcome our allies, and tomorrow, we would plan our defense.
* * *
Latrou and Helsethmade their way around the camp with tattoo tools and an image of the mark etched into my skin. Everyone would be marked. Everyone would need to communicate with the fomorians when they arrived, not just me.
I’d caught sight of Harper and Minnie on several occasions but resisted the temptation to speak to them. What was there to say aside fromtry not to die. The friendship I’d shared with Minnie would always hold a special place in my heart, but it was now nothing more than a fond memory because she’d been instrumental in my change. And because of her, I was no longer the same nightblood who’d entered the Academy determined not to make any connections.
The hounds had been fed and were sleeping, and the camp was curiously silent. Cadets sat in clusters around campfires or congregated in the forge. Conversation was low.
Of course, everyone was worried. The fomorians we’d been taught to fear were coming. If I hadn’t gone to the other side myself, I might not have believed me, but Hyde had backed up my story, and Orion hadn’t contradicted it.
Brady sat with the troop swapping stories about Carlo. Hyde huddled with them, a smile on his face as the guys reminisced. He’d known Carlo, too. He’d been his tutor and trainer for over a year. Brady said something to Hyde, and masculine laughter drifted toward me. I caught sight of Kash making his way past the group, but Brady hailed him, and then Devon shuffled along on his log-seat to make room for the weaver.
Firelight played on Kash’s stunned face, but then he was smiling and accepting the meat that Aidan was offering.
My guys.
Lovers and friends.
These were my guys, and my heart felt too full. Carlo was here in spirit, and so was Harmon.
They needed this. Part of me wanted to join them, but the larger part was content to watch from the shadows as the men who meant the world to me bonded.
We had several hours till dawn, several hours before Lugh surfaced. I was about to turn away when Hyde caught my eye. He said something to Brady and then rose and began to walk toward me.
My skin prickled as Brady’s and Kash’s gazes fell on me. Kash arched a brow and shrugged. Brady’s expression was solemn, but he nodded slightly, and then my focus shifted to Hyde.
He walked past me. “Meet me at the stables,” he said.
And then he was gone.
I waited, holding my breath, counting to ten like an idiot.
I knew what he wanted.
I wanted it too.
The corner of Brady’s mouth lifted, and then he turned to speak to Kash.
