Bonded to the Rakian Berserker (Rakian Warrior Mates #3) - Elin Wyn Page 0,12

resting her head on her mate’s arm. “Like Vania said, you don’t exactly look like the local boys.”

Esme had to agree. Neither Nic’s midnight skin and pointed ears or Kennet’s charcoal markings would blend in easily.

Jormoi, the smallest of the four, was still a large man.

And Gavin...

“I could go down, just for a sisterly visit,” Matilde offered, “ask some questions, look around, while I’m checking on what a mess you’ve made of your new house.”

The band tightened, but Esme forced the words out anyway. “Thank you, but you wouldn’t recognize any of the children. And if Layla has any freedom of movement, she might be leaving a trail, signals that you wouldn’t realize were important.” She swallowed hard. “I’ll go.”

Declan looked at her warily. “Are you sure? I mean--”

She interrupted him. “I am capable of dressing like a townswoman. I suspect I would blend right in.”

Matilde pursed her lips. “It would be one thing for his sister to visit him. Another woman, not from the family… I’m afraid people would jump to conclusions.”

“We could pretend you’re my new wife,” Declan waggled his eyebrows. “That would be a good reason for you to stay with me.”

“No!” roared Gavin. “I will go with her.”

The entire table froze at Gavin’s outburst, the rage that erupted out of him scorching the clearing like wildfire.

Esme turned in her chair, just enough to place her hand against his massive forearm.

“Of course, you’re going with us,” she said softly. “But we’ll still need his help. I don’t know the town or the people. Do you?”

No response.

No reaction.

She might as well have been talking to a mountain.

A very, very angry mountain.

He didn’t even glance down at her. Without looking, she knew his golden eyes were fixed on Declan, who shed terror from his seat.

“You should probably back away now,” Nic said softly, half rising from his chair.

Worry and … was that fear?

Were Gavin’s own brothers afraid of him?

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she snapped, unreasonably offended on her giant’s behalf. Slowly she stood, moving around the chair until she stood directly in front of the furious shifter.

“Gavin,” she whispered, one hand on his chest. “You need to help me with this.”

The full heat of his gaze turned on her, nearly bringing her to her knees

Then he slowly blinked.

“Of course.”

7

The fire pulled, beckoning him to step into the angry flames.

Except she was there, a silver pool of light.

Calling him back.

The tension crackled as he scanned the table.

Adena’s anxious gaze was easy to meet with a smile and a nod.

Nic’s scowl didn’t disappear but Gavin decided he’d have to ignore it for now.

Soon enough he knew he’d be hearing about his commander’s displeasure.

“So,” Esme said, voice light as she reseated herself, fingers still touching his hand. “What tale will we spin for curious townsmen?”

“Well--” Declan’s voice came out in a squeak. He looked away quickly, coughed and started again.

“Anyone I work with in Raccelton would be familiar with most of the folks here in Grasmer, but it would be easy enough to say that you and your...” he paused and Gavin could almost feel Esme’s amusement as he flicked his gaze towards Gavin, then back to the center of the table.

“That you and your husband were investing in my business, and were moving into the capitol as my partners. Maybe you came from,” he trailed off.

“Malterresy,” Esme inserted quickly. “There’s not much direct commerce between them and the capital. And I can send a message to friends there if that would help bring off the impersonation.”

He nodded. “That would do. Actually, I’ve been talking about expanding my business in the north, so it would be a natural fit.”

“The oddness you talked about doesn’t mean the children were taken to Raccelton,” Matilde mused. “It just might be that people don’t like you.”

Esme stiffened, just a bit, catching Gavin’s attention.

Maybe she didn’t like Declan either.

“Or,” Adena quickly added, “that they’re just not used to dealing with you yet.”

“I usually spend a day or two in Kinallen when I’m on the road, anyway,” Declan continued, ignoring his sister. “It’s the natural break in the trip, and often I hear news there that hasn’t made it to the capitol yet.”

“The road leads to both towns,” Jormoi added. “We’ll need time to search them thoroughly for those wagons.”

“But if we guess wrong, start in the wrong town,” Rhela worried, “It’ll be that much longer before we find the children.”

“That’s why we’re splitting up,” Jormoi reassured her. “If they’re anywhere, we’ll find them. If I need to stay