“Find my...?” Various emotions chased themselves across her features. At first, dumbfounded and shocked and appalled, all she could do was stand with her mouth open. “I hadn’t even thought of...”
“Of course you have,” he continued, relentless. “How could you not? We’re here, in his land. You have to wonder who he is, what he’s like. It’s human nature.”
“Maybe it is but,” she reminded him, “I’m not human.”
“Even so,” he persisted. “You must be curious.”
“Maybe a little. But I’m more interested in helping you find the killer.”
“The killer isn’t here,” he told her. “We all know that. We’d have to go back to SouthWard to find him.”
Stunned, she asked, “Then why are we still here?”
Flashing a wry smile, he touched her arm. “It’s not like we had a choice, remember?”
To his surprise, she grinned back. “You do have a point.”
“About your father?”
Her smile faded. “I’ll have to think about it.”
He took that as promising, especially since she hadn’t refused outright.
Surrounded by soldiers, they were led on a silent march, down a path into a murky valley, where even the flowers seemed mere spirits of actual plants. A low mist shrouded everything—sky and forest and earth—and seemed almost tangible, as though conjured to life by a spell from a long-dead sorcerer.
Despite the gloomy appearance, Ruben did not sense true evil or danger. But then again, he reflected ruefully, he was not only without the magic these people took for granted, but he was damaged. A wounded Shifter, afraid to trust the senses of either half of his dual nature.
The mood among his little group grew bleaker. Even the horses appeared listless, as though their energy had been leached by the overwhelming dreariness of the landscape.
When the castle appeared, seeming to spring from the earth in a maelstrom of blackness, someone gasped. Not Willow, who despite everything had remained resolutely at his side. A quick glance over his shoulder showed Tatiana, clinging to a disinterested Chad, eyes wide, practically quivering from fear.
The closer they came, the more menacing the place seemed. The breeze even smelled differently. He swore he detected the salty scent of the sea mingled with the ever-present cloyingly damp mist. The ocean smell reminded him of Teslinko, though his home had been sunny and warm, and he felt a sharp pang of homesickness.
Willow shivered, wrapping her arms around herself in a futile attempt to get warm. Because of the moisture in the air, their clothing had grown soaked and remained that way, no matter how far they rode or how the breeze gusted and blew. Unhappiness hung over them like a miserable black cloud and their physical discomfort only strengthened it.
And he was no closer to finding the killer. Again, Ruben sighed. He didn’t really need to be here; in fact, he was wasting precious time wandering these dark lands. The one who’d traveled to Teslinko and murdered a servant was one of the Brights. He didn’t believe the killer would be so foolish as to travel here, where his golden hair would stick out like a sore thumb.
Again, he thought of Chad. Mentally, he reviewed his memories of the man he’d seen briefly in the woods, following Willow. Tall, golden hair, purple eyes. An arrogant, chiseled face.
Could that have been Chad? Was it possible Chad actually was the one Ruben hunted?
A quick glance at the other man, and he decided no. No killer would be foolish enough to attach himself to the one who hunted him, placing himself constantly in contact with someone who might recognize him.
Therefore, Chad could not be the killer. Ruben must continue to search until he found him.
In any other situation, Ruben would have found a way to escape and gone on about his task. Instead, he’d remain here for one reason and one reason only. Willow. She’d been so transparent with her need to connect, to have people, a family of her own, despite vehement denials. This he could never refuse her. He suspected the others were intrigued, which explained while they hadn’t yet rebelled.
“Don’t worry,” Willow murmured, tugging on his sleeve. “I’m really good at sensing danger. Right now, I sense nothing.”
No doubt, she thought he was afraid. Gazing down at her, he allowed himself to be distracted by her soft, kissable lips. Then, as her eyes widened and her pupils dilated, he swallowed, bringing himself back to the situation at hand. He nodded, unsure of whether or not to trust her instincts.