Of Thorn and Thread (Daughters of Eville #4) - Chanda Hahn Page 0,69

felt him die,” I said. “I didn’t sense it until it was too late. It was his dying thoughts of his family that alerted me to the imposter in front of me. The onwae’s plan was to pose as Frederick and have us take him back to camp. If we would have, the onwae would have slaughtered all of us in our sleep. They’re that vicious and crafty.”

“Then it’s good that it’s dead,” Liam confirmed.

“Is it?” I turned and looked at him. “Was his death necessary?”

My question riled Liam. He pointed at Frederick. “Was his? I’m sorry if I don’t feel the same way about the death of that monster as you. I’m a soldier, trained from birth to protect those I care about. He was my friend. So yes, I’m glad the creature is dead.”

I understood Liam’s feelings. I should never have expected him to feel the same way as I did about living things.

We heard others coming, saw the torch light flicker off the trees, and Devin came through the underbrush. I must not have gotten all the blood off my face because he immediately rushed to me exclaiming. “Aura, you’re hurt.”

I was, but not in the way he meant.

“I’m fine.” I gathered my cloak tighter around my neck, wishing to protect my feelings. “It’s not my blood.”

Devin’s shoulders dropped when he saw Liam standing over Frederick’s body. He released a long sigh. I knew his wife and son.

I used the distraction to slip away and follow the trail back to camp while the men dealt with the bodies. It was me and the horses, and I wasn’t scared of what may or may not be in the woods anymore. I had a feeling I could sense trouble if it got anywhere near me. My hands trembled as I packed up my blankets, my mind and emotions raw with empathy for not one death, but two.

Chapter Nineteen

My powers were back, but they came in unreliable spurts. I couldn’t selectively hear people anymore, but every candle mark or so I would get stricken by random images and feelings that would cause me to grit my teeth and have mini-blackouts. They were worse than before. Rather than the steady pain I would get from being around people, it was like a vase that would fill up. When it could hold no more, it would dump every thought and emotion on me at once.

What it did was give me longer times of sanity, followed by short bursts of manic episodes where I wasn’t sure where I was, as it took my sight with it.

I dismounted my horse, and I was hit with an onslaught.

This is a failed mission.

We’re all going to die.

I wonder what will happen to the kingdom.

The commander has no clue what is going on.

I reached out and Devin caught me as I stumbled. His firm hands clamped around my waist, pressing me into his body as he held me up.

“Whoa there,” he quipped. “I always knew you’d fall for me, but not literally.”

His voice was muffled compared to the voices that were rushing in my head.

I gripped his neck as I buried my face into his chest, breathing hard, fighting to stay conscious as the ground moved beneath my feet.

Devin’s muscles stiffened, and I looked over, meeting Liam’s turbulent eyes. From this angle, it probably looked like I ran right into his arms and we were embracing like lovers. I pushed away from Devin, but he wouldn’t immediately release me.

“Let go,” I whispered.

“Are you sure?” His grip lessened, and I stepped back.

“I’m okay now.” I could feel Liam’s gaze like the sun boring into my back.

Devin flung the pack on his shoulder and turned.

I grimaced and quickly tried to hide my discomfort. Liam gave me a knowing look, and he waited for me to admit defeat. That I needed him to shield me. His eyes narrowed, and one brow rose in question.

I raised my chin in the air.

Liam shook his head. His face fell as I passed him and headed away to the very edge of camp and stopped, wincing in pain as I touched my temple.

Help!

Scared!

Help!

Everything appeared still and calm, but I knew it wasn’t the case. I was picking up the thoughts of the forest animals, and I wasn’t sure how far away they were.

The crunch of gravel signaled Liam was still with me. He wisely kept quiet.

“I hear them.” I gestured to the forest beyond. “The animals. Their fear is growing. I don’t know how