that might become clearer at times, but even I have occasions when something hits me unexpectedly.” Vin relaxed back in his chair.
“And you couldn’t have said something before we made this huge mess?” Colm shot a glare at the chatar, but knew that it was his own fault.
“You have to learn to trust in what she tells you. She’s going to make mistakes. I do sometimes too. Interpreting what is seen isn’t always easy. Although it might seem immediate and urgent, it could be something that’s happening a rona from now.” Vin sighed. “This isn’t easy for her. She’s still a little afraid of the magic inside her and doesn’t entirely trust it herself.”
Colm grimaced. Even if Vin had spoken up once he realized how serious this was, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Now they needed to show her that they could learn from their mistakes as well as admit to her that they’d made a mistake.
“All right, we send some men out to the forest line to search for signs that they were there. Tyson, start gathering some men. I want at least one set of tierna bonded men with the group. And remind them to be on guard, because I don’t want Cami’s words about them killing someone to be prophetic.” Linc stood and paced once back and forth. His eyes locked on the door.
Tyson nodded and left the room. That left Colm with Linc and the chatar. Thoughts of Cami and what they needed to do flowed through Colm’s mind. He glanced over at Linc.
Colm knew exactly what his bond brother was thinking. He wanted to go after her too. “It would probably be better to let her have a little time before talking to her again. We can go help with the search and make plans. We’ve got a little learning to do ourselves.”
“That’s a start. You’re probably right about her needing some time alone. I’d want to hit somebody or something if I felt that something was wrong and didn’t think anyone was listening to me.” Linc grimaced, but didn’t take his eyes off the door.
“I’m probably lucky she didn’t bite me.” Colm shook his head, but a small smile curved his lips. Most of the time, he liked her feisty attitude. Especially the contrast to her caution at first.
“Let’s get this started and see if we can find those men today. That might even be good enough to make her forget about us not listening.” Linc straightened.
“Maybe not.” Colm shrugged and led the way out of the room.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Linc walked down the hall in their section of the Thent. She was here somewhere. He could feel her magic swelling and ebbing with a reassuring rhythm. Feeling that slight rise in her power had at first worried him, but then he’d felt it lower and rise again. He realized she must be practicing.
He took his time, pausing to look into each room. He had no idea what he was going to say to her. Well, other than telling her about what they’d found. Colm could be here too, but the stubborn man insisted that Linc was better with words. Maybe Colm didn’t say things in the most diplomatic way, but he got his point across. Sometimes, blunt was better than finding the single right word. Shaking his head, he pushed open the door and stood there looking at Cami.
Her hair flowed down her back, but the energy in the room caused it to ripple as the magic rose. He leaned against the door frame watching her for a moment, gathering his thoughts. She was beautiful and the strength in her amazed him. She’d come through an experience that would have left some people broken.
“What are you doing?” He asked the question softly when she’d released the magic she’d gathered.
“Practicing.” She turned slowly.
He saw the wariness in her eyes and cursed silently. The chatar was right. They had to trust in her as much as she had to learn to trust them. She shouldn’t ever look at them that way. He needed to wipe away the hurt he saw in those gorgeous gold orbs. He also understood what she left unsaid. She wanted to be ready. Just in case.
“You were doing well.” Linc took a deep breath and decided to start with the obvious. “We found sign near the edge of the forest of someone hiding and waiting for some time. At least most of the morning, judging by the signs and small indications of movement.”
“They