Thom stopped at the fire on his way to where they’d face the enemy, mostly to assure himself that the blessings were done and that his friend would at least be well-armed to face the enemy. Jacqueline was gathering up the last boxes of ammunition into one of her spare baskets and Phelan and Marin were both rising from their knees. Relief washed over both of their faces when they spotted him.
“Which way?” Phelan asked quietly.
“The ravines, like we thought. I told him to cover us from the bridge as best he could.”
“We’ll have to hope none of his arrows end up in us.” Phelan shook his head and sighed, resigned. “You don’t have to say it, fear fiach.”
“I know I don’t,” Thom said, is gaze steady. He reached out to squeeze Phelan’s shoulder. “But I’m going to anyway. Have some faith, take a breath, and know that we’re praying right along with you that we all make it through this alive. Having Cariocecus with us, as much as we may hate to admit it, might increase our odds of survival at this point.” He could be the ace in the hole that we need because I’m more than half positive that we’re not going to have any sort of cavalry riding to our rescue anytime soon. Not this time.
Maybe not ever again.
Marin’s hand slid into his and she squeezed his fingers. “We’re wasting time,” she murmured.”
“You’re right.” He squeezed her hand back. “We’re ready, then?”
“Everyone else was getting into position,” Phelan confirmed. “We’re the last because we were dealing with this last batch of ammunition.”
Thom nodded. “Let’s go.”
Their friends had gathered in two ragged lines facing the section of the ravine most likely to be climbed by their incoming enemies. The howls echoed off the trees and the ravine walls, but even as he jogged toward the edge, Thom couldn’t see any sign of the incoming skinchangers, either in human form or wolf shape.
Wait for it. They’ll be on you before you know it. “Marin, I want you in the second line.”
“Like hell,” his wife snapped. “Someone has to cover your ass and it’s going to be me. Besides, I’m the best hand with a bow you’ve got.”
“She’s right,” Phelan said. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but she’s right. We need her in the front with you and I.”
“I didn’t say you were going to be in the front, either,” Thom said as he strode through the ranks toward where Matt stood with Thordin and Cameron near the edge of the ravine. “You’re staying at the rear with us between you and them.”
“They’re coming after me,” Phelan said, his voice soft.
“And we’re protecting you.” Thom stopped short of the front line and turned toward Phelan. “Let us protect you.”
Phelan opened his mouth to protest. Marin put her hand on his arm.
“Phelan, please. You almost got killed the last time. I don’t want to go through that again. None of us want to go through that again.”
He winced at the pleading note in her voice, looking away. “Leannán, you know that I can’t stand the idea of anyone else dying for me.”
“No one is going to die for you today,” Marin whispered. “Don’t talk like that.”
She sounded more confident than she probably was. Thom knew that slight waver in her voice, but he prayed that Phelan hadn’t heard it, hadn’t noticed.
The once-druid put his arms around the smaller woman and held her against his chest in a long, hard hug. She hugged him back, exhaling a shaky breath. Thom watched them, fingers tightening around the hilt of his sword.
Agree to stay back, Phelan. Don’t be stubborn, just do it.
“Fine,” he whispered. “For you two. Fine.”
One victory, at least. Thom nodded. “You and Jac stay close to each other.”
“Right,” Phelan said with a slight sigh. “You bloody well be careful.”
“Don’t worry,” Marin said with a wry smile. “We will.”
She took Thom by the hand and led him toward the rim of the ravine, where her brother, Thordin, and Cameron waited for them.
