“So when they die, the border takes too much?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Or too little – I guess. You’d have to ask Roarke how it works.”
The house blocks the view of the boulders, the giant tree standing tall beyond it. The stream is on my left, with yellow and red fish darting between the rocks. Our five horses are tied to long leads on the side of the hill; behind them is a wall of trees.
Seth nudges my back playfully, and we start walking along the edge of the stream – getting further and further from the house.
I sink my hands into my pockets, well, technically Roarke’s. The instant my fingers find the little glass egg, they start rolling and playing with it. Like a child with a fidget toy, a sock filled with rice or a leaf torn just right to make it twirl – a simple thing that is unexplainably calming.
My other hand, however, finds an empty pocket. I almost groan out loud, remembering putting Killian’s blades and the darts on the floor in the bedroom. Between my bag and Seth’s – because sleeping with them wasn’t going to be very comfortable. I need to get them back before Killian realizes.
Roarke ambles through Eydis’ barrier with six women behind him, eyes sharp and hands resting on weapons.
I kinda wish I could grip my dagger now.
I remember Teegan from when we were cleaning the stables at the White Castle. Tall, lithe, built like a flower that could knock you unconscious. She’s following Roarke – but that’s no excuse to be staring at his ass the whole time.
The two behind her, with braids tight to their heads, are the first to spot Seth and me. They wear the usual Silvari fine cotton clothing in a perfect form-fitting size that shows off their lean but deadly figures. All Silvari women look like a cross between precision dancers and highly-skilled weapons.
I’m not by any means overweight, but I do have the build of a servant. We could all be butt naked, and a stranger would still be able to pick me out among the Sabers.
I fold my arms over my chest and, without taking my eyes off of them, mutter, “Who are they?”
“Well, the guy in front is a real ass. Stay away from him. I heard his name’s Roarke –”
I slap him on the chest because he knows exactly what I mean. He feigns injury, gasping and bending forward.
“Okay, okay. The woman behind him is Commander Teegan.” He says Commander with a complete air of insincerity. “And the blonde right beside her is Lara. Watch out for Lara. She’s a StormSeed, and they tend to get snappy. Their last member is Amber, a FireSeed.”
FireSeed makes sense, her hair is an amazing vibrant shade of red that stands out even in the tight braids.
“And the other three?” I ask, turning my attention to the three mounted a little further back.
“Commander Rose is in the middle,” he begins, without the emphasis on Commander this time. “On her left would be Rynn – Amber’s twin and also a FireSeed, obviously.”
Obviously, because Seeds are genetic, and if you’re born to a FireSeed family, you simply are a FireSeed.
“The other one is Aria. She can be bitchy, but mostly it’s because she’s super emotional.”
They’re wearing identical cloaks with the hoods tugged low, so I’m not sure how Seth tells them apart. Years of practice, I guess.
Roarke’s escorting them, and I’d think Roarke’s relaxed amble would make them more at ease.
He inspects the clearing, a confused angle to his brow. Like being on the other side of the stream, at the end where it’s far too wide to step over and the assortment of large rocks and stones that would be dangerous to try and walk a horse through too, wasn’t part of his plan.
His gaze meets mine, a small smile crossing his lips, and he beelines for the edge of the stream.
The women stop their horses. Rose’s triune flick their hoods back almost in unison.
Rynn is easy to spot; her red hair’s out and blowing in the breeze. Her features are so similar to her sister’s, tiny noses and freckles and soft cheeks. Aria is pretty in a sweet and innocent way. She has big doe eyes that make her look almost cuddly. Which is not what a Saber should look like – so it’s probably a trap.
“Do we like them?” I ask, pretty sure we don’t.
He chuckles. “Some of them are good people. All of them are loyal to the Elorsin name. We need them. But just to be safe, maybe keep your distance. I’m sure that’s going to be Pax’s order, anyway.”
Teegan approaches the edge of the stream, looking at it with a confused crease on her pretty brow. “How do we get to the other side?” she asks.
I cup my hands around my mouth and make like I’m shouting over a great distance.
“You’re on the other side,” I call out, echoing, “Side... Side... Side...”
Then I just stand here smirking at them.
Seth bursts with laughter, full of merriment and deep amusement, but at least three of the Saber women scowl.
I keep my gaze on Roarke, who manages to crack a smile before trying to pull his lips into a tight kind of neutral line.
The last Saber flicks her hood back. I feel my eyes going wide as we assess each other. I’ve got no idea what I look like – but all I can think is damn. Blonde hair – but cropped short into nothing but fluff on her scalp. And her skin – someone could dip this woman in chocolate, and she’d come out lighter than the color she’s been born with. Her face is all fierce angles. Sharp jawline. Defined cheekbones. Her lips are almost the same color as her skin, and the devilish smile that parts them sends a thrill through me that reminds me far too much of Killian.
Only there’s no way she’s
