both being so careful of giving her all the space she needed and not crowding her. He was beginning to wonder if they might be giving her a little too much space. He didn’t want her scared, but he certainly didn’t want her ignoring them or using their caution to keep her distance.
Conn stopped in front of them and drew in a deep breath. Strands of his black hair hung around his face, having slipped free from the tie at the back of his neck. “You’re needed back at the Thent.”
“I’ll handle this.” Colm looked over at Linc and Cami. Linc would have a better chance of getting Cami to relax and talk than he would. “There’s no need for all of us to go back. Go on with the walk.”
“I could do it.” Linc frowned at him. What are you doing? Just give him directions on what to do. She already thinks you don’t really want to be around her.
She’ll relax more around only one of us. You have the words that I don’t. You’ll be able to get closer to her without me around. When she’s a little calmer and not so likely to panic, I’ll show her that I want to be around her. Colm had a feeling they were going to talk about this later.
You might try just being around her. Time and closeness is the only way she’s going to come to trust us. Linc glared, but his hand cupped Cami’s elbow. “Are you ready to continue on?”
Cami looked from Linc to Colm. She looked a little confused as if she thought she was missing something. “I’m ready. What are we going to see on this walk? And don’t think I’m going to forget about you two saying we could run in the morning.”
“We’re not going to change our minds about that. We’re going to walk along a trail that will take us to a small lake in the woods and then make our way back.” Linc’s voice reached Colm as he began to walk back toward the Thent.
Cami didn’t know what to think about Colm leaving. It hadn’t sounded as if it was something that important, but she had no idea how they ruled their people. Laed and Kynar had been content to thrust the more onerous chores onto anyone they could. It didn’t matter that it was something they should do. Maybe Colm and Linc were actively involved in every part of the running of their clan.
Still, she couldn’t be sure, especially after the long look that had passed between those two men. It was as if they were communicating without speaking. She had a feeling that there was something she was missing.
She wasn’t even going to try to figure out what it was. Without a doubt, she’d end up driving herself crazy. Her thoughts would go in circles and circles and there was no way to know what happened. Not without one of them actually telling her what they were thinking and she knew that was improbable.
“Can I hold your hand?” Linc’s voice broke into her thoughts.
Cami held back her grimace. She’d been determined not to brood, yet she was already doing it. Without hesitating, she lifted her hand and held it out to him. “Yes.”
“How are you feeling about finally being here?” He glanced over at her and began leading her toward the trees.
Now that was a change in subject, but she was willing to go along with it. “I’m ready to stop those two. It wouldn’t have mattered to me where it happened as long as we finally met up with Laed and Kynar and put an end to their threat.”
“Not satisfied with merely making sure that they can never hold the sort of power they once did?” Linc glanced over and she saw his brow arch.
“It wouldn’t be enough, not with them. You don’t know them. Even without the magic, they’ll still hurt and kill. I can’t let that happen.” She shook her head. She didn’t need the visions or the magic she’d absorbed to know that.
“I believe you. And you’re right, they will be a danger until they’re dead.” Linc’s fingers tightened around hers. “We’ll keep you safe and teach you how to deal with the magic you now have. You have my word on that.”
“I can take care of myself. I didn’t have any trouble finding you, did I? And I know you’ll teach me about the magic. It’s already more manageable than it’s ever been.” She