Chosen (The Warrior Chronicles #1)(45)

“Well, I guess that means war is coming, and we’ll be on the side with a hard road,” Sanders said with his head in his hands. “I wish I stayed in bed today.”

“Did they take any of your people?” the Captain asked quietly.

“Yes. A few. Twenty or so.”

“To…breed?”

“Disgusting,” Sanders spat, pacing.

“I believe so,” Shanti replied with a straight face.

“So there is a chance another you—us…another one of us is already created.”

“No. They expired.”

“What’s that?”

Shanti rubbed her temples. “They were taken. They would have been raped repeatedly. Because they were unable to do it themselves, I killed them. I would rather not go over the specifics right now. I need to sleep.”

“You killed your own people?” Sanders stopped and stared with a gaping mouth.

“You didn’t try to save them, first?” Cayan asked in a sympathetic voice, but with an edge.

Hot tears rolled down her face. “Yes, and yes. The enemy had a city of fighters larger than your city of civilians. I got close, but I couldn’t get them out. So I killed them. They begged it of me, and I complied. Please leave. I don’t have the strength to make you.”

The Captain stood and nodded for Sanders to leave. “Wait for me.”

Sanders wasted no time. He was through the door as if the room were on fire.

In the silence the Captain neared. He approached her slowly, reading her face. “What of the children? You still have people waiting for you, don’t you? Hoping you will succeed? Where are you going? Let me help.”

Tears were still rolling. She felt the brush of his mind on hers, trying to reestablish that link they’d shared in his bedroom. Trying to get in and form a deeper connection. She closed up tight, locking herself in.

He put his hand on her bare arm. His power seeped into her skin, lighting her on fire. So much power. It was flash boiling her blood. He poked at her barriers gently, seeking a way in, searching for a chink in the armor. His eyes glowed as they looked down on her, blue like the sky. Dark rimmed like thunderclouds rolling through.

“There is no one else. They are all gone,” Shanti whispered.

“Then how can you reunite them?”

Good question. He was too smart for his own good.

“What of the children?” he asked again.

“Why do you care?”

“Because I am of the Old Blood. Like you. Procreation was always hard with my family, too, on my mother’s side. The gifts, as you call them, are carried with the mother. I know the history. You know the use. Together we are more powerful than each of us alone. We stand a better chance.”

“I am at war with the Graygual. You are not. If I were you, I would hide. They are… you stand no chance. For your people’s sake, hide.”

“I think we both know it is too late for that. As you say, we have wealth—we have extremely fertile lands and are well managed. This Inkna was behind the Mugdock attack. They were dressed as Mugdock. They have been poking around our mines, our leather factories—they were getting a good look. War is coming, and I do not bend my knee. We are on your side.”

“You are on your side. I am alone.”

The Captain withdrew his hand, his mind lingering. “As I said, I do not bend my knee. Not even to visually arresting outcasts. You will see it my way in the end. You will eventually need a friend, and then you will realize I am that friend.”

“I need a bed buddy and you don’t fit that role, so I’m good without you. Except, uh…for that other thing. Thank you. For that.”

“For what, exactly?” His eyes were twinkling so hard they belonged on a dance floor as a sparkly ball. Or in Rachie’s room, where she’d seen it. Cayan definitely knew what for.

Shanti cleared her throat. She hated saying she was wrong, she hated saying she was sorry, and she hated having to tell this egotistical ass that she was thankful he saved her life against overwhelming odds. Still, honor dictated that it be done. “For, uh, coming for me. On the battlefield. I would not have made it out without you. So, thanks.”

He looked at her with gravity, his eyes still sparkling, but grounded. “You’re welcome.”

She nodded. He continued to try and lock eyes.

“Okay,” she said, too tired to play at holding the intense gaze—she’d hoped that would get easier. “Now get out.”

“I like it better when you’re vulnerable.” The Captain took a step back.

“Liar. It makes you nervous. You aren’t as good at blocking as you think you are.”

A grin ghosted Cayan’s lips, his dimples making a brief appearance. When he got to the door he stopped for a brief second, his hand on the shiny knob. “Who was this man that turned you down?”

“Why? Going to give him a pat on the back?”

The Captain turned his face to her, his eyes burning into her for a second. He did the equivalent of flicking her in the head. It was a weird sensation, bouncing off her block and tingling her skin. A second later, with a half-smile this time, he was out the door and gone.

***

The Captain strode past Sanders, not slowing to let the other man catch up. “Do you know why I needed you in there?”