Bonded to the Rakian Berserker (Rakian Warrior Mates #3) - Elin Wyn Page 0,7

the scent, but just in the last day who knows how many other wagons have passed that way.”

“But that helps a little bit, doesn’t it?” Adena said. “We know the children are probably somewhere in one of those towns. If I had to bet, I’d say Raccelton.”

Nic let loose a short bark of laughter. “For all the help we had the last time we went to the capital.”

Esme frowned. “Are you sure they wouldn’t stop anywhere before the towns?”

Vague, half-forgotten memories tugged at her thoughts. Nothing useful, just distractions.

Nic shook his head slowly. “Maybe something on the outskirts, that might be a possibility. But still...” he paused

Gavin spoke up. “If they were taken to Raccelton, it means dealing with the Council again, doesn’t it? They might not like it, but we can’t give them any choice.”

“Nic’s right,” Rhela said, handing Jormoi another cake absently. “You said that the Council members denied asking for help from the Alliance. How can we be sure they’ll even listen?”

“They’re not likely to help us anyway,” Esme said. “The traveling clans are so far outside of their perfect little world that they prefer to pretend we don’t exist.”

“Maybe we don’t need the Council,” Adena said slowly. “Maybe we just need someone who knows the towns, the people who live there. Someone who listens to rumors.”

Esme nodded slowly. “Four wagons full of children would need someplace to go. People to take care of them. That sort of secret would be hard to keep, even in one of the larger towns.”

“Which would be great if we knew anyone friendly to us in that place,” Nic answered. “Last I checked, we didn’t.”

“That’s because you didn’t stay to talk with Matilde at her last visit,” Adena said. “Her oldest brother Declan has taken over their father’s trading business. She says he is doing well, making lots of contacts in the capital.”

“Is he less of an asshole than his father was?” Gavin asked.

Esme listened to the talk flow around her.

She needed to participate. She knew that. These people were trying to help her, trying to help the children.

It wasn’t their problem. Wasn’t their clan.

But still, all she felt was numb.

Her energy drained, as if every stitch in every shroud had taken another little piece of her soul until there was nothing left.

Every nightmare she’d ever dreamt had found her now, and there was no escape.

“Then it’s settled,” Nic said, snapping her attention back to the present. “We go back to Ship, find Matilde’s brother, see if he can find any information for us.”

“I can’t,” Esme said quickly. “I mean,” the words felt thick in her mouth, tangled. “I need to stay here, with them,” she waved her arm towards the still forms at the side of the camp. “It should have been last night.”

And she couldn’t go to Raccelton. Just couldn’t.

Adena scowled. “Last night we were busy trying to make sure that you weren’t going to join them.”

“I know that,” Esme said. “And I’m grateful. But tonight, I need to sing them home.”

5

“You don’t have to stay.”

The flattened tone of Esme’s voice made Gavin want to bundle her back in the air sled, take her back to Ship with the others despite her protests.

But he wouldn’t.

“I can’t believe you got rid of Adena so easily,” he answered instead. “She’s not usually so easy going about the health of one of her patients.” He crossed his arms in front of his chest. “But you’re not going to get rid of me.”

The faintest hint of a smile lifted the corners of her lips. “I appreciate it,” she said. “Even if I don’t know what you can do to help.”

He didn’t either.

There was nothing he could do but wait, and watch, as she walked down the long row of the dead, calling their names.

Around each shrouded form she paced, singing in a low haunting voice.

All the way down the line, all the way back.

And when she finally stumbled, he caught her in his arms.

“They’re your family, your clan, right?” he asked gruffly.

She nodded, eyes shining in the dark with tears she still hadn’t shed.

“Then they’ll know you need to rest.”

She stiffened in his arms, then he felt her body slump with resignation. “You’re right,” she admitted. “Just, if I keep thinking about the next step and the next, then I’m not worrying about the children and Aunt Layla. Not worrying how we’ll get them back. What I can even do with them if we do get them back.” Her voice dropped to a