Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles #1)(30)

Why was nothing ever easy?

What she did latch onto was his absolute conviction that in his presence, she would be safe. That his people would be safe. He would lay down his life to ensure his city would live, and he had enough assurance in himself and his abilities to safeguard that it was true. It wasn’t, of course—she’d seen enough to know that the Graygual army would steamroll this place, but she approved of his mentality.

As if she needed more complications.

And just as fast, everything leveled out. The rush of the stars and the swoon of power balanced, letting her float. With him. Together they were cocooned in a flux of power so intense, she had no idea what to think about it.

“Feel it, Cayan,” she instructed quietly, putting her other hand on his bare chest, trying to find solid ground. He didn’t flinch from her this time. “Do you see? All the intentions, the brain paths—all that mental energy; it is coming here. Do you feel how filthy it is? It is hell-bent on destruction. It is foreign to me—I have never felt this specific kind of filth before, but it is badness. Can you feel it? Who is it?”

His head dipped to hers, his eyes delving. “What are you?” His voice held awe tinged with fear. Beneath that, though, in the deep timber of his voice, it almost sounded like he’d found an answer to a question that had been bothering him.

“I am your mirror. You have this power in you. Your eyes are glowing, just like mine. But…your wife does not understand.” She removed one of her hands reluctantly, hating to leave this power. The feeling.

The Captain was looking at her with more fear than awe, now. He was reaching on his own. He was laying his own net over hers as it blanketed the land. He was consciously searching for the first time in his life, and it scared him.

She knew how he felt, in theory, but it had been so long she could barely remember. Plus, their situations had been slightly different. Hopefully they would continue to be.

“I need my weapons.” Shanti stepped away. She rubbed her palm on her pants, trying to wipe a weird hum.

“Mugdock,” the Captain said softly, understanding. He was a fast learner, which was usually a good thing. Not great in their future circumstances, however.

“Tanicia.” He turned to the young woman. “Get to your family—get them to safety. Give the message to everyone you see. The alarm will sound shortly. Shanti,” he rounded on her, eyes alive, still glowing. He looked at her, then into her. He was now seeing properly for the first time. Brushing her mind with purpose instead of with unconsciously learned habit.

His eyes refocused and he shook his head to clear it. “You won’t leave.” It wasn’t a question. He wanted to ascertain if what he saw was correct.

And it was. It was also the third irritating discovery she’d had in this man’s presence, because she couldn’t leave a city to get slaughtered. It wasn’t in her nature.

“No. And right now, you need to protect your people, and I need to know the weakest point of entry.”

“Your weapons are in the throne room on the shelves next to the armor. There are battle garments there as well—“ He broke off, his eyes losing focus.

Sanders had arrived at the front door in much the same mood she left him. The Captain was a very fast learner…

“He’s…in a rage, by the way,” Shanti qualified. She had a feeling that, where Sanders was concerned, a head’s-up was always prudent. She didn’t plan to say why. The fun was in the surprise.

The Captain looked down into Shanti’s eyes for a brief moment of stillness, sharing an open moment before she closed up shop. A glimmer taking over his eyes, he was action again, darting away, heading for the stairs.

Shanti rushed after him—apparently she was expected to know which room was the throne room...

Chapter 12

Sanders banged on the door for the second time. He didn’t give a damn what he was interrupting, there was a security breach and that woman had to be squared away.

The door sucked in air as it opened, the Captain’s eyes were on fire, his hair tied, and his sword at the ready.

“It’s the wom—“ Sanders started.

“They’re here,” the Captain cut him off. “Sound the alarm. They will be attacking within the hour. I want to be ready for them.”

“How do you—you’re not believing her are you? How would—“

The Captain took one measured step outward and leaned. Sanders couldn’t help the uncomfortable tightening in his gut at the size and power pushed up into his space. But he had a reason for being pissed, damn it! A solid reason. That woman had to be taken down a peg.

Sanders let his rage push away his anxiety, desperately trying to ignore the commanding stare shocking into his body. He would have his say!

But as he opened his mouth to speak the air condensed around him. A blast of solid air rammed his chest and chattered his teeth. The dominance in that blue stare had warning tingles running up his spine and turning his stomach to gravy.

Unable to hold it, Sanders had no choice but to drop his gaze. The girl wasn’t worth having his skin peeled off.

“Call the Commanders,” the Captain said in an authoritative voice. “Meet in my office. Get a guard on Shanti. I don’t want her near that fight.”

“Not gonna happen,” Shanti tittered as she flitted out of the house with excited eyes hovering over a smile. “Sorry about your face, Sanders, and you, Sanders’ hero.”