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  Lasula grins. “Well enough. Your height still gives you away.”

  I scoff, twisting my hair into a braid at the nape of my neck. “I blame my father for that.”

  “Come.” She motions for us to leave the pool.

  I pull my bag over my head, settling the ball inside against my hip. The bag’s canvas is heavy and coarse compared to my new outfit. With my dirty pants, shoes, and what’s left of my shirt, I follow Lasula back to the center.

  Barefoot and dressed like the rest of the clan, I’m more at ease as Lasula and I walk toward the courtyard. I’m still the odd one out, but at least people don’t stare as much.

  We enter the courtyard’s garden near a throng of climbing vegetables. They remind me of tomatoes, except they’re oblong and the color of sunflowers. The middle of the garden is open to the sky, while the surrounding canopy houses a veritable market beneath it. Aisles intersect the sheltered space with food cradles interspersed throughout, as well as areas where men and women work on different projects. Some are busy striping leaves and bark from large branches, separating the pieces into piles as others use them for one purpose or another. The work stations fill the border of the courtyard, reminding me of festivals with vendors selling everything from food to clothes, jewelry, artwork, and keepsakes.

  Lasula and I make our way from one side of the space to the other, filling a basket with food and other items while we talk with the clanspeople. Many of them ask questions about my home. A few ask about my mother, but their questions go unanswered. Only my father would know the answers, provided he knows who she really was.

  As we reach the end of our circuit, I spot Ren talking with someone on the far side of the courtyard. Watching his mannerisms from a distance, I can’t get over how much he resembles a statue. The movement of his mouth is the one thing that gives him away. It’s fascinating how someone can possess so much control over his body. Most people I know talk with their hands, myself included. The thought of standing so still makes me twitchy.

  Ren seems to sense he’s being watched and looks my way. His gaze catches mine as he continues to speak with the other person, who glances over as well.

  My neck and cheeks warm, and I turn my attention to Lasula. “I think I have plenty of food. I’m sure Leila will find something she likes.”

  “Would you like me to escort you back to your quarters?”

  “No, that’s okay. Considering the entire village is watching me, I think I’ll be fine.” A thought occurs to me. “Could you send for Kirahl? Leila said her head hurts, but I don’t know if there’s anything for it.”

  She nods. “I will inform her at once.” With a smile, she turns and drifts away through the garden.

  When I look in Ren’s direction again, I expect him to still be talking with the other person. Instead he’s alone, watching me across the courtyard. We stand there, staring at each other, neither of us moving for a long time.

  He breaks the stillness with a simple lift of his brows. What’s he asking? I can’t tell, so I settle on a small nod and turn away. The eyes of the clan burn holes in all sides of me as I weave out of the garden and into the center, heading toward Leila with the basket of food and clothes.

  Despite the opening at the top of the tree hollow, the interior is heavy with shadows. I almost run into the table. A quiet curse comes out as I set the basket down, shifting some of Kirahl’s supplies out of the way.

  “Hey, you should check out the stuff I got.” I turn to Lei’s bed.

  A light snore is the only response I get. At least the headache isn’t keeping her awake. In the dim light I find my bed and lay down with a sigh. I’m on my own.

  Time alone means time to think, and so much is running through my mind, I’m amazed I can keep it all straight. It’s all so confusing, yet fascinating and unbelievable.

  How can I be meant for such a life?

  Does my father know about this, what I’ll be capable of?

  And my mother—what kind of person had she been? The archives didn’t show much.

  As I think about her, a question nagging at the back of my mind all day refuses to be ignored any longer.

  What would cause an elemental—a powerful weapon, one only a fool would trigger—to abandon her home and never return?

  Chapter Nine

  In the silence I wake to, I don’t remember where I am. Faint light comes through an opening in the wall above me, the underside of a tree canopy capturing the light. Deep shadows are cast on the higher branches that fade from sight, and the unfiltered, brilliant night sky greets me as I look straight up. A shooting star flares across the glittering haze and everything comes back to me.

  I peer across the hollow, near pitch black. “Lei?”

  No response. There’s quiet breathing, but the snoring is gone. A grunt comes out as I push myself up and climb out of bed. I fumble in the dark for the basket of food and clothes, finding it right where I left it. After laying the clothes for Leila at the foot of her bed, I settle my bag at my side and step out on the path. The guard, the same woman as before, turns to me with raised brows.

  “My friend is asleep.” I hitch my thumb behind me. “I don’t want to wake her, so I’m going to the center.”

  She frowns. “It is late. The rest of the village is also asleep.”

  “Oh.” A faint amber glow lights the path. “Then I’ll just sit by the fire for a bit.”

  “I do not think it would be wise to do so at this hour.”

  “Well I’m not tired enough to sleep, and I don’t want to wake Leila.” A mixture of hesitation and disapproval deepens her frown, and I decide to pull the one card I really don’t want to. “Is there someone who can keep watch?”

  With a grim set to her mouth, she whistles a quiet twitter down the path. At the far end a figure steps out from the shadows. Just the one. I expected more, but I’m not one to snub my nose at small favors.

  As quietly as I am padding down the path, my steps must be deafening to the clanspeople. Yep. The stealth trait skipped me. The other sentry watches as I approach, a kind of curious expectancy touching his eyes.

  “I hope I’m not keeping you awake.” Doubtful, judging by his alertness. Must be on patrol. “I need to be outside for a while.”

  “Of course. How may I be of service?”

  “I’m just going to sit by the fire. Should be pretty uneventful.”

  “By all means.” He nods and lifts a hand toward the blaze.

  Logs surround the fire as makeshift seats, and I settle on the ground behind one before removing my leaf bandages to let my scrapes breathe. I rest them with care against the rough surface and stare into the flames, tracing the grooves in the wood beneath my fingers. It’s not long before I’m lost in thought.

  It’s crazy how much my life has changed in the last day. It was a lifetime ago Leila and I found ourselves in the dark forest, not knowing where we were or how we’d gotten here. We’ve already been gone a full day. What’s happening back home?

  How long I’ve been sitting in a daze, I’m not sure, but I’m suddenly aware of someone in my peripheral. I glance over and jump at finding Ren standing ten feet away, bow in hand.

  A humorless laugh comes out of me in a huff. “Do your feet touch the ground when you walk?”

  “You should be sleeping, Bonder.”

  “I have too much on my mind.” I narrow my eyes. “You’re supposed to stop startling me, remember?”

  For a few seconds he doesn’t move, his gaze stuck on mine. Then he steps over and raps the end of his bow against the log. “Better?”

  Weariness hits, making me laugh. “A little late, but I’ll give you an A for effort.”

  His head tilts in question.

  “At least you tried, so thank you.” My head tips to one side to match his. “Why do you call me that?”

  A crease appears between his brows. “Bonder? It is your position here.”

  “I have a name, too. Do people call you Defense Commander in
stead of Ren?”

  His expression clears. “Some find it disrespectful to be addressed informally.”

  “You’ve done it before.”

  His eyes widen, like he’s been caught off-guard. “I have been disrespectful?”

  “No, you called me by my name.”

  “When?”

  “Earlier, in the woods. Right before the attack.”

  The corners of his mouth turn down a little. “I am sorry. It was unintentional.”

  “I thought apologizing unnecessarily was my thing.” His mouth opens and closes, and I can’t help but chuckle. “I’d prefer it if you would use my name. Please.”

  His features ease as he considers my request, then nods. “As you wish.” He scans the center, looking uncomfortable. “You should not be out at this hour.”

  My gaze follows in the wake of his, but I see nothing to worry about. All is quiet. “There’s a guard keeping watch.” I nod toward the man standing in the shadows, almost invisible but for the glint of firelight off his eyes.

  Rather than looking reassured, Ren’s jaw clenches. His fingers worry the end of his bow.

  Since when does he fidget?

  It’s astonishing how in control of himself he is: his movements, his words, his expressions. A strange fascination fills me as I watch him, and I realize how uncomfortable he is when I’m not under his guard—or have dozens of eyes on me in his absence.

  Knowing him, he’ll hover until I go back inside. A thought occurs to me. What harm is there in giving in to curiosity? So I do. “Would you like to sit with me?”

  His fingers still on the bow. From the look on his face, he wasn’t expecting the invitation. At first it looks like he’ll say no, but after a moment he props his bow against the end of the log and sits a few feet away.

  I don’t blame him if he’s angry with me. Our last conversation wasn’t what I’d call civil—not my side of it, anyway. After going over the argument in my head a few times, I’ve come to the conclusion I may have overreacted. Granted, I’d been a tad overwhelmed with everything that’s happened. But he wasn’t trying to be insensitive about it, just honest. And I can’t fault him for it.

  “So,” I break the silence, “any luck tracking the outlander?”

  His gaze moves across the center. “The scouts found his path on the far side of the territory.”

  “Where was he heading?”

  “South.”

  “Toward Taustin?”

  He shifts, his full attention landing on me. “What do you know of him?”

  “Not much.” I pull my arms in, rubbing my thumb over my nails. “I heard he’s the one behind the attack. And he’s dangerous.”

  Ren’s eyes search mine before falling to my anxious, fidgeting fingers. He reaches across the space separating us and lays his hand on mine, stilling my movements. His long fingers curl around mine, the warmth of his callused skin radiating into my hands and traveling up my arms. My skin breaks out in goose bumps. I have the urge to rub them away, but that would involve moving. And I have to say, I don’t mind where I am at the moment.

  Without moving his hand, he locks his gaze on mine. “On my life, no harm will come to you. You have my word.”

  The sincerity in his words takes me aback. I realize I haven’t given him due credit up to this point. He’s willing to risk his life, without question, for someone he’s just met; dedicated to my survival, for which I already owe him a debt. I may not like the entire village watching me, or his hovering, but the efforts are for my benefit. Being more accepting of them is the least I can do.

  My awkwardness melts away as an unexpected, warm wave flows through my chest. It settles there like an imperceptible glow, and I squeeze Ren’s fingertips. “Thank you.”

  His gaze moves over my face, looking for who knows what, then he pulls his hand from mine. Instead of resuming his perusal of the center, he leans forward on his knees and stares into the fire.

  There’s still dirt under my fingernails. I pick at it with my thumbnail. “Can you tell me about him?”

  Ren looks over, his head tilted toward the fire. “Why?”

  “Considering he tried to have me killed today, I’d like to know who we’re dealing with.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitches. “He is an outlander lord.”

  “So I’ve heard. And he’s trying to take over the clans in the area?”

  “Yes.”

  “But he hasn’t been able to here?” He doesn’t answer. “Why not?”

  “We have been able to anticipate his movements.”

  I wait for an explanation, but he says nothing. This is going to take some coaxing. “How?”

  His expression tightens, and his gaze returns to the fire. When he speaks, his tone is quiet, holding a darkness I haven’t heard from him before. “Taustin was a former defense commander for the clan.”

  “He used to be Laraek?”

  Ren keeps gazing into the fire in silence. From the tension in his jaw, maybe he finds it easier to look at the flames than me in the eye.

  “Why did he leave?”

  “The elders removed him from his post.” A hint of resentment touches the corner of his eye and mouth. “His ambitions were not well-received.”

  “He wanted to take over the other clans then, too?”

  He shifts a little, like he’s going to look at me, then changes his mind. “His aspirations were extensive. They still are.”

  Something tells me Taustin didn’t appreciate losing his post. “Who replaced him?”

  Ren’s lips part, his voice so quiet, I almost miss his words. “My father.”

  “He was a defense commander, too?”

  “Briefly.”

  Prying into a painful memory is the last thing I should do, but I really want to understand him. A traumatic past would shape someone’s future, no matter what dimension he’s from.

  “What happened?” I ask, my voice gentle.

  He continues staring into the fire, like he’s seeing events from the past instead of the flames. “After Taustin was removed from his post, he chose exile. He abandoned the clan in favor of forging his own, recruiting outlanders and those with similar views. When he amassed a following, he led raids on the clans within the known lands. Some were able to defend their territories, but many were destroyed in their resistance of his decree. His focus turned here, his goal not to overtake the clan, but to raze it.”

  I frown. “All because he was demoted?”

  “Removal from a prominent position is deemed a dishonor. When the elders elected to displace him, he called them weak for their unwillingness to embrace his ambitions. He swore he would extinguish the clan in retribution.”

  My gaze is intent as I watch Ren, willing him to look at me, but his focus remains on the fire. “Did your father fend him off?”

  “He and the scouts defended the clan as best they could, but Taustin commanded superior numbers. Many of the clanspeople were lost during the raid.”

  “How long ago did that happen?”

  “I was but a small child.”

  I rest against the log and prop my head up on my hand. “What do you remember?”

  He stills, turning into the statue I’ve seen so many times. Only his mouth moves when he speaks, his voice low and detached. “Smoke. Screams. The clanspeople fighting the outlanders and failing. Many people lost their families that day.”

  “Is that what happened to yours?”

  His focus breaks from his thoughts and turns to me. The haunted look in his eyes answers for him.

  Chagrin fills me and I sink back. “I’m sorry. You don’t have to talk about it.”

  His gaze doesn’t leave mine. “My father was one of Taustin’s primary targets. The two of them fought often when Taustin still belonged with the clan. Once my father superseded him, the elders suspected the transition would rouse resentment.”

  “So he took it out on your family?”

  His eyes narrow in thought. “I do not believe t
hat was his initial intention. He and my father were fighting, and when my father began to lose, I interfered to keep him from being killed. Taustin did not appreciate my hindrance.” His fingers touch the scar cutting through his left brow. “As punishment, he forced me to watch the executions of my mother and two sisters.”

  My jaw drops. “No…”

  “He wanted to cause my father as much agony as possible. He swore to bring me unbearable pain before he would allow me to die.”

  I frown, shaking my head. “But you escaped?”

  The haunted look in his eyes recedes a little. “Sianne secured my safety.”

  “She was the elemental?” He nods and I sit up a little straighter. “Where had she been? Why wasn’t she helping your father?”

  He shifts, turning toward me a little more. “No one knew where she had been at the time of the raid. After Taustin had been driven away, we learned she had been seized prior to the invasion. She overcame her captors, but her return to the village had been too delayed to prevent the onslaught of the attack. Had it not been for her actions in the end, the entire clan would have been slain.”

  I’m silent as I try imagining the chaos. “And your father—did he…?” I can’t bring myself to finish.

  “Sianne saved many lives that day.” Sadness fills his eyes, looking old and familiar to him. “She could not be faulted for those which were taken.”

  My chest tightens with sorrow. I can’t imagine how it must be for him. I never knew my mother, but Ren lost his entire family in a day. That kind of loss changes people. It hardens them to the world, makes them close themselves off from others. It’s no wonder he’s become the man he is today.

  Not realizing or giving much thought to what I’m doing, I reach out and lay my hand against his cheek. He stills again, the morose gleam in his eyes the only sign of life in him. The warmth of his skin seeps into my hand, the contact soothing my nerves which have become raw throughout the day. I run my thumb over the scar marring his brow with the barest touch, the skin smooth and shining in the firelight.

  “I’m so sorry,” I whisper.

  His hand rises and covers mine, pressing it to his cheek. Deep inhale, slow release, and the sadness in his eyes abates a little. “Thank you.” He gives my hand a light squeeze before pulling it from his face.