The Silent: Irin Chronicles Book Five(67)

Leo thought about his former watcher, Damien, and his mate, Sari, who were such a powerful couple. “Ideally, watchers and their mates would fill those roles. Long ago that was typical, was it not?”

Alyah said, “I’m as young as you are, Leo. I don’t know how things were. Just how they are now.”

“We’re both operating at a disadvantage, aren’t we?”

“I don’t know.” Alyah smiled. “Maybe being young means that we’re not bound to the past like the others. The future will be what we make of it.” Alyah nodded at Kyra and the little kareshta girl. They were walking through the forest, Kyra pointing out the birds flying overhead. “Maybe our world needs young ones like us because we see possibilities where our elders do not.”



Three hours later, Ginny drove up in a van with Sunshine Tours! emblazoned on the side. A tall, dignified Asian man walked with her as three other Irin shifted things in the van and another walked to the office at the front of the inn.

Alyah met Ginny and bowed to both her friend and the tall man who accompanied her. Then she led them to where Leo and Niran were waiting.

“Leo, this is Kenneth, the scribe I was telling you about. He came along in case some of the women needed a translator.”

“He anticipated us,” Leo said. “Kenneth, we thank you.”

Kenneth held out a hand. “It’s very nice to meet you.” His English accent revealed a crisp, British intonation. “Ginny tells me you’re from Istanbul. I’ve heard so much about the library in Cappadocia; it’s rumored to be the most complete in the eastern Mediterranean.”

“I don’t know about that as much as my watcher would,” Leo said. “But I’d be happy to offer an introduction if you ever want to visit. Alyah speaks very highly of you.”

“That would be wonderful,” Kenneth said before he turned to Niran. “And you are the Grigori watcher from Chiang Mai?”

Niran started at the “watcher” label, but Alyah was quick to jump in.

“He is,” she said. “Niran, this is Kenneth, a professor in Bangkok.”

“And a scribe,” Niran said.

“I am.” Kenneth smiled. “Sadly, more swift with my references than my blades. But I do think I can be of assistance to the young women we’re assisting, if you’d be kind enough to introduce me.”

Niran relaxed at Kenneth’s warm, disarming introduction. He nodded and led Kenneth toward the bungalows, telling the professor what he knew about the human women, particularly the young woman from the Wa hill tribe.

Leo watched them walk toward Sura’s bungalow where the women and children were staying. He wondered what Kyra would make of Kenneth, and if she’d trust the women and children with him. She was cautious, and he could already see her becoming attached to both the baby and the little girl.

She has a mother’s heart.

The thought of Kyra carrying his child leapt into Leo’s mind. He wanted that. In time. He wanted her to have the joy of motherhood and family. He wanted it for himself too. Leo didn’t know how to be a father, but he had observed Malachi caring for his two small children. Leo knew he would have the same love that Malachi did with Geron and Matti.

“What are you thinking about?” Ginny asked him.

He sat on the porch. “Family.”

Ginny sat next to him. “Is she your reshon?”

“Yes.”

“Are you certain? Or is it wishful thinking?” Ginny’s normally bright mood had shifted, and she sounded deadly serious. “Be sure, Leo.”

“I’m sure.” He turned his eyes from staring at the bungalows. “I think we both knew from the beginning. My voice was always the clearest to her. My heart always rested with her. And her touch… It was only the world interfering. First the battle in Vienna. Her brother’s protectiveness. My reluctance to pursue her when I didn’t know her heart.”

“And now it’s her health.”

Leo said nothing. Alyah had performed a song to give Kyra strength, but he knew Ginny’s magic was stronger. Kyra didn’t appear weak after the excitement that morning, but Leo lived in a constant state of worry.

He couldn’t perform the mating ritual and extend his magic to her without weakening himself for the coming fight. Yet he lived in fear that Kyra’s life would blink out without warning.

But if he performed the ritual and linked her longevity to his, it would weaken him. Then if he died in battle, she probably would too.

“I’m going mad,” he said quietly. “What should I do? If I give her my magic—”

“You’ll be weak.”

“But she would live.”

“And if you died?” Ginny asked. “What then? If your lives are linked and you died in a fight, she’d likely die anyway. You know that, Leo. The sacrifice isn’t worth it.”

“Her life is worth everything to me.”

Ginny sighed and rubbed both hands over her eyes. “Her life will always be tied to yours unless she has her own magic.”

“I know. But I can’t teach her, and Ava’s not here. I think if I could get her back to Istanbul—”

“I’m sorry I yelled at you the other night.”

Leo spoke cautiously. “Ginny, I have no intention of asking you for any favors. That’s not why Alyah called you.”