Mist's Edge (The Broken Lands #2) - T.A. White Page 0,94

the one who picked us.”

She scoffed. “We remember things very differently. I seem to remember a certain someone grabbing me by the arm and telling me I was late.”

Eamon’s smile flashed before he gave a whoop as one of the contestants accomplished a daring feat.

“You could have left at any time. In fact, I seem to remember at one point you did leave.”

Shea shoulders rounded until they almost touched her ears. “Yeah, but someone had to go and get themselves almost eaten by a shadow beetle, didn’t they?”

Buck’s hands landed on Shea’s shoulders. “And I for one am very glad you came back to distract that beetle.”

“When’d you get back?” Eamon asked him.

Shea looked back at him in question. She hadn’t realized his team were one of the few who’d picked up patrols again.

“Last night. There are some freaky, scary things out there right now.” Both men’s faces turned a little grim.

“Did you turn your report in already?”

“Hm.” Buck made a sound of affirmation. “Your annoying assistant is already going over it and making copies to be distributed among the command teams.”

“Good, I’ll want to review it with you tonight.”

“Perhaps after I’ve enjoyed myself a little.” Buck gave Eamon a roguish grin as his eye caught that of a Trateri woman with a heart-shaped face next to them.

Eamon waved his hand, letting Buck go. He wasted no time in pursuing the other woman, whose smile at the sight of him heading her way put the rest of them in no doubt how Buck’s night was going to end.

The contestants on the field had narrowed to half their original size. Several Trateri walked onto the field dragging large items.

“What are they doing?” Shea asked.

“They’re setting up obstacles. The second round is a little different than the first. They still have to unseat their opponent, but now they have to do it while dodging the items in their path.”

Yes, because it just wasn’t dangerous enough before. Crazy barbarians.

Charles pushed away from the fence. “We have to leave to get setup for our event.”

Clark protested. “Just a few more rounds.”

Charles looked hesitant, the pull of watching the Hawkvale compete just as much of a temptation as it was for his friend. His jaw firmed. “We need to make our final arrangements. The Wind Division commander showed his trust in our abilities. We can’t let him down now.”

Charles gave Eamon a nod of acknowledgement. Eamon pressed his lips together as if he was fighting to hide a grin.

Charles pulled Clark away, giving Shea and Eamon a determined look.

“I’ll catch up in a few minutes,” Shea told him as he left.

“If you must,” he told her, leaving before she could say anything in response.

“Grumpy,” Eamon said, looking after Charles and Clark. “He’s probably just stressed about things going well today.”

“It was nice of you to give them that opportunity,” Shea told Eamon.

He shrugged off her words. “It wasn’t me. I did offer their names as an option, but it was the elders who picked. What you all are doing is resonating with a lot of people.”

Shea was glad he hadn’t given them the opportunity just because of their previous relationship.

“You should watch this event until the end,” Eamon said. “You want to see who wins the bet, right?”

Shea’s jaw dropped and she hissed, “How do you know about that?”

Trenton straightened from his position next to them. “Everyone knows about that. It’s the talk of camp.”

Eamon chuckled as Shea’s face turned beet red. “Don’t worry. I’m sure he’ll go easy on you when he wins.”

“You’re so sure he’ll win?” Shea asked with an arched eyebrow.

He shrugged. “Of course. He’s the Warlord.”

“And about ten years older than the rest of the competitors,” Shea said with a challenging expression. She should have known better. It was what had led to the ill-placed bet with Fallon.

“Not everything is about age,” Trenton said, waggling his eyebrows. “Sometimes experience wins the field.”

The crowd roared as Fallon unseated his opponent in a graceful movement at odds in such a big man.

Trenton leaned close. “I think he’s a little more motivated than usual.”

Shea blushed. Her color deepened when Fallon threw her a darkly significant look. Next time she would have to be more careful with her challenges. They always seemed to get her in trouble with this group.

*

Shea moved through the crowds as quickly as the press of bodies would allow. She vibrated with impatience, as she waited for an elderly woman accompanied by a child to move out of her way. She’d