The Last Warrior (Shifters Unbound #13) - Jennifer Ashley Page 0,91
told Rhianne in a low voice. “They all will.” He took her hand again. “I’d love to tell you to evacuate too.”
“It won’t matter.” Rhianne knew this in her heart. “Ivor will find me wherever I am. I’m not certain why he wants me so much, but I know he’ll hunt me down.” She turned to Ben. “If you stay with me, he’ll take you too.”
Ben shrugged. “Then he takes me too. Good thing I have a few tricks up my sleeve.” He wriggled his hand, his arm bared by his T-shirt.
“Ben, do not go up against one of the strongest Tuil Erdannan alive. My own mother couldn’t best him.”
Ben sobered. “I know. But you’re my mate. It means I defend you, no matter what. Do you expect me to say, Okay sweetie, you go face the badass, and I’ll be over here downing a brew. Let me know how it goes?”
“Not what I mean.”
Zander, passing them, shook his head. “It’s the mate’s dilemma, Rhianne. I lose my mate or I lose my life. We all have to choose that sooner or later.” He paused. “So this bad guy is your stepdad? Wow. I really did miss a staff meeting.”
He strode on, Rae at his side, to examine the trees and the stillness within.
Andrea had finally convinced Connor and Tiger-girl to follow her toward the houses, Andrea’s face grim.
“Warrior.” Millie’s sensible voice called. She approached them, followed by Darren and Cyril, and addressed Ben. “You’ll not have to face the Tuil Erdannan alone. We’ve talked about it, and we’re pledging ourselves to you.”
Ben gave them a puzzled look. “Pledging? I thought you blamed me for everything bad that’s happened to you.”
“We blame you for giving the hoch alfar a target,” Millie said primly. “But that was then. This is now. You are the warrior, and we will fight with you.”
Millie, glasses restored, every hair in place, did not seem like a woman who should be in a fight of any kind. She should retreat home and roll bandages for the wounded instead, perhaps bake them a pie.
But Rhianne had seen Ben’s true form, and Millie’s as well, when she’d begun to attack Ben at the haunted house. Neither were weak.
“Yeah,” Darren put in. “You’ll need some goblins on your side. The badass-est of the badasses.”
Cyril nodded. “So, we’re pledging. It’s what our people did in the old days, so says our mum. She was there. She’s very old.”
Millie sent him a severe look. “My son is a smartass, but he is correct. I am even older than Ben. In the bygone days, we’d pledge our loyalty to the warrior who could lead us. Which right now is you, Ben. One for all and all for one.” She adjusted her glasses. “I stole that from The Three Musketeers, but the sentiment is the same.”
Ben’s expression was a study of longing and alarm. Rhianne sensed that he wanted to accept Millie’s pledge, that it was important to him.
He also worried he wouldn’t live up to the pledge, but he was wrong about that. Rhianne had come to realize that Ben had more strength than anyone understood, perhaps more even than Tiger. He’d be formidable in battle, underestimated by all, until it was too late.
Even Ivor, Rhianne thought smugly, would be surprised by him.
“Better accept,” Darren said. “Our mother is one determined lady. She usually gets what she wants.”
“I don’t want to lead you if it’s to your deaths,” Ben said quickly.
“Young man.” Millie drew herself up. “You let us decide that for ourselves. We’ve been in this world a long time. A very long time. If we meet our ends following you in a just cause, so be it. I believe slaying a Tuil Erdannan too big for his britches is a just cause. No offense, dear,” she added to Rhianne.
Rhianne nodded absently, riveted on the dynamic between Ben and the three goblins.
She saw the moment Ben decided to embrace their loyalty. Something relaxed in him, a barrier softening that had been held in place too long.
“All right.” Ben sighed as though resigned. “I guess I can’t really stop you.”
“Excellent. Please hold this, dear.” Millie handed Rhianne her handbag. It was far heavier than the small bag appeared, and Rhianne made herself not peek inside in curiosity.
The four goblins drew together. Millie stretched out her right hand and her sons laid their right hands on hers. Ben, slowly, placed his on the top of the pile.