Pieces of Eight (The Frey Saga, #2)(22)

I started walking back to the temple, or at least in the direction I thought it had been, unwilling to look at Chevelle. I heard his quiet steps behind me as he followed my slow progress. I remembered his words from the time I had been attacked by council, when they'd found me and rebound my magic. He'd said they had known council was close but they were mistaken in thinking council intended a physical attack. They had been prepared for that, and I now knew more than capable of defeat. But they had not been prepared for the binding, not prepared for the direct attack on my mind. He'd assured me that council would not get so close again.

And now they were, what, destroying every animal that came near because Fannie was tracking me too? The wolves were my guard dogs? I was too far gone to laugh. I could see their first demonstration of power, hear their vicious snarl, see their jagged fangs. Ruby's words came back to me now. No, silly, no one can control animals. The wolves attack who they want, protect who they want.





I kept walking, slowly, attempting to process it all, struggling to find a place for it. Twice I spun on Chevelle, ready to fling accusations at him, but each time his expression was such that I could only look at him, my mouth open ready to speak, before I turned and continued on.

Eventually, the hot sun was directly overhead and I knew I'd been walking far too long. I couldn't decide if I'd passed the temple or gone in a completely different direction. I sighed and turned, finding Chevelle standing quietly behind me, exactly where I'd expected him.

He waited.

I took a deep breath. "I don't know where I am."

His face was pained as he took a step toward me. "I know, Frey. We are trying to help you."

I put my hands up in front of me, a "stop" signal, embarrassed and annoyed. "No. I mean I don't know where I am," I said, emphasizing my point by waving my hands toward the surrounding trees.

He almost smiled as he took another step closer. "They will be waiting for us." Before I could respond, he pulled me up, carrying me again, as he spun and stepped into a run toward the temple.

I hadn't even been close.





Chapter Six


Compliant





So, now that I knew I was being hunted down by the remaining members of Grand Council and my crazy Aunt Fannie in various animal forms, it was considerably easier to forgive the seven others who were willing to help me, regardless of their reasons.

It was in that state of mind that I resumed my training with Grey upon returning to the temple. The others were planning again, something about moving since Fannie had likely found us. I wasn't sure what "likely" meant, since the wolves had apparently slaughtered various beasts throughout the morning, but I ignored their discussions, confident that they would not have let me join in even if I preferred.

We found a quiet spot near the center of the temple. The floor was open so I hoped I'd have a better chance to follow Grey's movements as he flitted around trying to lose me. But I was often disappointed. I readied myself, standing motionless, eyes and ears on alert when he stepped in front of me, wearing a temperate smile.

I stiffened, certain he was making fun of me, though I had no idea for what.

"I never thanked you for the assist."

I was lost for a moment before I knew what he was referring to, and then smiled back at him, only to have it cut short as the memory came fully back. The battle with council. I'd missed the majority of it, at first tied to a wall and then overtaken by blackness, but I had fought a little. A bird had flown over and I'd jumped to it, able to see them all below in the fray. Grey had been trapped as I was, vines wrapping him in place, the long thorns piercing his skin, flames surrounding him. I had found his attacker and gave Grey the few precious seconds he needed to escape. The horrid scene filled my mind now and as I looked at it with the fresh knowledge, it had changed slightly. I couldn't help but wonder if they actually had been fighting to protect me.

And then the last little bit of the memory came back, the moments just before the blackness had taken me. Asher, watching from outside the battle. I could see his lips moving swiftly, a quiet flow of incoherent words.

"Frey?"

Grey had been talking to me, though I had no idea what he'd said. I answered anyway. "Yes, of course."

He laughed. And then he was gone.

I shook my head, trying to focus, because I knew I was about to be smacked in the back of the head or have a leg pulled out from under me when he reappeared.

I was wrong. A punch in the gut.

Yet, to my surprise, he was still standing in front of me. He was confused, as was I, and we both looked down to see that I had my hand wrapped tightly around his wrist. He was lightning fast, I'd usually only known he'd attacked because of the actual strike, but somehow I'd grabbed him, almost unthinkingly.

We stood there, staring at the offending hands, unable to relax at first. And then I breathed, a breath I hadn't even realized I'd been holding. Grey flexed his fist open and I finally eased my grip on him.

We didn't speak.

"Frey," Ruby started as she bounced up to us. And then she noticed the uncomfortable atmosphere. "What's going on?"

Grey spoke up, smiling a genuine smile at her without looking me in the eye. "Hey, Red. Just finishing up here." He gingerly reached up to pat me on the back of the shoulder. "The girl's really picking it up. Impressive."