Siege (The Warrior Chronicles, #5) - K.F. Breene Page 0,45

the sky. “I don’t have enough light to see for sure, but his features don’t make him look like he was born to the Inkna. His body is bigger. Broader.” She ran a hand up the back of the man’s shirt, then pulled back and squeezed his butt. “He has some muscle tone. I’d bet he was or is a fighter.”

“He was really quiet,” Marc said, backing up so he was nearer Shanti. “He was as quiet as those Graygual. Almost. He panicked, though. He took off running. That’s what gave him away. Or he just never learned to run quietly.”

“So he has training of some kind.” Shanti motioned Rohnan forward. “Carry him into the city. We need a better look at him.”

“I told you,” Marc said sullenly.

“All I was saying was that we should wait for S’am!” Xavier moved around to the captive’s feet.

“It’s dangerous to keep him alive.” Cayan turned toward Sanders and gave a long, loud whistle.

“I said that about you,” Shanti said.

“I can handle this guy.” Xavier hoisted the body up and over his shoulder.

“It is better to fight with large men. It makes laziness easier.” Rohnan followed behind Xavier.

“He can cut off our power, making us susceptible to Inkna,” Cayan said. “We won’t be able to feel what’s coming or what’s ahead.”

“We can keep him unconscious.”

“You can also keep him at the back of the line with a guard,” Rohnan suggested. “Your range will be greater than his.”

“We can’t always keep him at a distance.” They got to the city. Men rushed forward to relieve Xavier of his burden. “Keep him secure. Work with Marc and Ruisa to come up with something that will keep him unconscious.”

“Who got him?” Sanders asked.

When Cayan was sure his orders would be followed, he directed Shanti and Sanders toward Daniels’ tent. The man didn’t want to take residence, even temporarily, in one of the hovels in the city. “Marc and Xavier.”

“Do we think there are any others?”

“Doubtful,” Shanti said as Cayan reached the flap of the tent and held it open. The soft glow of the lantern illuminated her beautiful face as she smiled at him before ducking into the tent ahead of him. He motioned Sanders through after her.

“Don’t expect a smile from me,” Sanders growled. “I’m not that kinda lady.”

Cayan smirked as he waited for Rohnan.

“I will wait out here.” Rohnan stepped to the side and gracefully fell into a cross-legged position.

Cayan knew better than to question him. Instead, he followed his grumpy Commander through. Daniels stood in front of a map, trailing a finger across and down. He glanced up as everyone came in.

“How did it go?” the older man asked. Creases lined his face and circled his eyes. He was under a lot of pressure to find a way that would minimize casualties while still ensuring victory. It wasn’t an easy task.

“We took down two Graygual and captured a third man who we think is Gifted,” Cayan said as he came to a stop at the map.

“Why would it be doubtful that there are others?” Sanders asked Shanti. “There’s no telling what else that Being Supreme has under his hat.”

“There would have to be another Gifted who can block power for there to be others,” Shanti said. “And while that is probably true, he is only the second I have come across, which means they must be rare. Rarer than our Gifts.”

“I agree.” Cayan scanned the way before them on the map. “If Xandre has another, he wouldn’t assign them to the same task. What would be the point? The chances of that Gifted being captured were minute. I am still amazed that we were able to do it.”

Sanders pointed at Shanti. “Her harebrained ideas work more often than they don’t, but when they don’t, they really don’t.”

“Yes, thank you, Sanders,” Shanti said dryly. “Enlightening.”

“What do you think?” Cayan asked Daniels.

Daniels straightened up with a grimace. “We should get word to the Shadow Lord. She and Portolmous are waiting in the east. They don’t want to push through the Graygual until they know where they’re needed most.”

“And when, exactly, do we mean to go?” Shanti asked, peering between Sanders and Cayan at the map. Her eyes went wide. “That city?”

Cayan looked at the sprawling interior laid out before him. “Yes. That city. I mean to make a statement.”

“Do you mean for us to live through it?” Doubt colored her words.

Cayan leaned against the table as certainty and confidence filled his center. “I’m not just making