Leap of the Lion (The Wild Hunt Legacy #4)(121)

Beside him on the bench, Gawain glanced over. Obviously understanding Owen’s thoughts, he gave a low snarl of agreement.

They were so fucked.

Out of sight near the bar, Calum reported the happenings of the past month, made introductions, and all that. Blah, blah, blah. Owen ignored him as he would a scolding blue jay.

Would Darcy be happy to see them?

A hand clamped onto his shoulder, and he realized Gawain had stood up.

“What?” Owen growled. I’m thinking here.

“Calum welcomed Darcy to the clan—and the meeting’s over.” Gawain yanked Owen to his feet. “Let’s go find our female.”

*

The Daonain meeting had ended, and most of the mated shifters departed. Vicki, Bree, and Angie—and the babies—were still over at the fireplace sitting area. Emma had jumped up on top of the bar so she could strum her guitar and flirt with her lifemates, Ben and Ryder.

With Heather, Darcy’d stayed near the door. Feeling the full moon humming in her blood, she knew the Gathering would start shortly. Hoping against hope, she’d looked around during the meeting and hadn’t seen Gawain or Owen.

She was stuck at a Gathering without them. Would be mating…without them. Her stomach churned queasily.

Someone came in the door, and she held her breath.

Not Gawain and Owen—Patrin and Fell had entered.

“Hey, guys!” She gave Fell a big hug—and got the same back. “I’m glad you’re back. Are you two all right?”

Patrin pulled her into his arms for his own hug, then held her out at arm’s length. “What the fuck are you doing in this place?”

“I’m attending the Gathering, of course. It’s the law, remember?”

“What law?” Disapproval darkened his face. “Do you realize what happens here? Chwaer, it’s not a good place for a little female.”

Her lips curved. He was cute, all brotherly concern and acting as if she’d barely been weaned. Actually, she understood since sometimes she forgot he and Fell were adults and not twelve. “I don’t think—”

“How about we take you back to the lodge?” Patrin’s question was more of a demand.

“Yeah. We can talk.” Fell took her arm.

Fell talk? That’d be the day. That he’d even offered showed his worry. Still, she couldn’t leave. She knew the law, even if they didn’t yet. As she shook her head, she spotted two males making their way through the room, overtopping the mostly male population. Her heart did a slow somersault in her chest. Owen and Gawain?

When she started toward them, Fell’s grip tightened.

Patrin stepped in front of her, making himself a barrier. Back to her, he glared at Owen. “She’s leaving. Use someone else to get your rocks off.”

Darcy thumped his shoulder. “What did you just say?”

Patrin glanced back. “We heard a bit about this full moon shit. It’s an orgy, chwaer.”

“What’s an orgy?” Owen stepped closer, forcing Patrin to look at him.

And Gawain quietly circled to approach her from the side. “Darcy.” He held his hands out. His blue eyes were warm, and the sun lines beside his eyes crinkled with his smile.

“Oh, I am so glad to see you.” When she tried to go to him, Fell didn’t let her go.

Her hand fisted. No, don’t hurt him, tinker. After all, her brothers had always been over-protective. As Gawain’s eyes narrowed ominously, she told him, “Hold on.”

She turned and stared up at Fell. “Let. Go.”

His hand fell, but his expression turned grim. “Chwaer, no.” He touched her hair. “No orgy for you.”

“Darcy, you don’t know these guys. They want only one thing from you.” Patrin backed up to take her other side. “We love you. Let us—”

“Guys, I have to stay here tonight.”

“What’s going on?” Holding Artair, Vicki approached, her gaze assessing. Jamie was beside her.

Ignoring Vicki, Fell scowled at Darcy. “Chwaer, you’re leaving.”

Beside Vicki, Jamie put her hands on her hips, confronting Patrin and Fell. “Leave her alone. She’s not in your fucking army, so you can’t tell her shit.”

“Oh, fuck, Jamie, your language,” Vicki muttered. “Calum’s going to kill me.”

“He is considering that possibility,” came the soft deep voice as the Cosantir strolled up.

Oh, Mother of All, why was there nowhere to hide? Darcy almost cringed. If prison had taught her anything, it was to avoid attracting attention from the person in charge.

Calum frowned at his daughter. “We’ll discuss appropriate language later. What is the problem here?”

Jamie pointed at Patrin and Fell and said indignantly, “They said our Darcy has to leave right now.”

“Did they indeed.” As the Cosantir regarded Darcy’s brothers, the power of the God shimmered around him. “The moon is rising. Were you planning to break the Law?”

Patrin frowned. “We’re not breaking any law. We simply came to get our sister.”

Darcy saw Calum’s eyes darken.

Oh, no. “Cosantir, please.” Darcy jumped between Calum and her brothers.

His dark, dark gaze fell on her. “Aye?”