Page 10 of The Stone Survival
I exhaled in relief. “Yes. Yes, you are.”
“We were so worried,” Sharniza said. “I thought…” Her voice cracked, and Derek folded her into a hug.
“I’m here,” he said. “I’m safe. I’m back.” I wagered the words were reassurance just as much for him as they were for her.
“Where did you go?”
His eyes flickered. “Nowhere. Just an empty place. But I’m back now.” He looked down at Shar still in his arms and smiled.
Seeing them like this, seeinghimlike this, his focus wholly on someone else was bittersweet. Up until now, I’d been his sole focus. The person he looked to for comfort, theonlyperson who could soothe him, but he’d grown and become his own person. He didn’t need me as much now, and although there was a little sadness in letting go, there was joy in it too. To know that he’d found not only himself but also love. That part…that was the sweetest.
Heat bloomed at my back, and Serath’s scent enveloped me as he wrapped his arms around my waist. He sensed my emotions through our bond. Understood what I was feeling right now. The proud mama watching her child leave the nest.
Derek spotted Serath. “You’re back too.”
“I am,” Serath said. “Thank you for helping Cameron stay alive long enough for me to find my way back.”
His gaze dropped to me, eyes burning brighter. “My Cameron…You were running, and I…I failed you.” The torment in his tone tore at my heart.
“You did everything you could. You bought me time. I’m alive because of you.”
He broke away from Shar to pull me into a hug filled with his familiar warmth.
“Love you,” he said softly. “Love you so much.”
“I love you too, Buddy. So very much.”
“Great,” Ignus said. “Everyone is safe and loved, but it won’t stay that way for long if you don’t focus.”
He was right; we had decisions to make.
“I’ll leave you to mull over the plan,” Ivor said. “But don’t take too long. The search party won’t be combing the area forever. My scouts confirmed they were still searching an hour ago and had begun to expand their perimeter. Another couple of hours and they’ll be ready to check the tunnels.”
“Not trying to be negative here,” Curi said, “but what happens if the faction somehow succeeds in opening the rift?”
Good point. “There are no witches to create a new implosion device.”
“But if there were, then wouldn’t we have to die to make it work?” Sharniza pointed out.
“No!” Derek growled.
Ivor held up his hands. “We have a plan. One that doesn’t involve witches or implosion devices. If the need arises, then we will use it. Don’t worry.” He dropped me a nod. “Ignus will find me when you’ve made your decision. Don’t take too long.”
If we were going to put Ivor’s plan into motion, we’d have to move quickly.
CHAPTER 5
It didn’t take long to conclude that if we were going to root out the bastards behind the faction, then we needed to go back and lure them out of hiding.
Ivor’s plan and Serath’s offer to play bait were the best way forward. The other option was to hide out here, which, although it would guarantee mine and Serath’s safety, would do nothing to stop the faction.
I asked Ignus to take me to Ivor. Yes, I could have asked Ivor to join us in our quarters, but I needed a moment alone with him. To say…I wasn’t sure what I wanted to say, but I’d had time to digest everything he’d told me and accept that he was my father. I guess I wanted to let him know that and say goodbye. For now.
Ivor met me at the door to his study, stepping back to let me in. “You’ve come to a decision?”
“Yes. We’re ready to go to the tunnels. It’s the only way to root out the faction and end this.”
He pressed his lips together. “As the graynite alpha, I was hoping you’d say that, but as a father who has only just gotten his daughter back, I’d have liked you to stay here with me. Safe.”
