Twenty-five – 01

“What?”

I winced, momentarily wishing that Thom and I hadn’t decided to stay put.  Sif’s flat tone could only mean one of two things—that she was in shock, or that she just didn’t care.

I was banking on the former but terrified it might actually be the latter.

Thordin closed his eyes, tilting his head back and taking a deep, slow breath.  “She wants Phelan. She wants him terribly.”

Sif glanced at us.  “For what?”

“To rut like dogs in heat,” Neve said, her expression twisting in disgust.  “I think she finds that preferable to just killing him outright.”

I flinched, glancing toward Thom.  He shook his head grimly.  “I just know what Cameron said…and that was it.”

“Hell,” I breathed.  The thought that she’d want to do more than just kill him was mind-boggling.

All things considered, though, I guess it makes sense—somehow.  The thought still made me sick to my stomach.

Poor Phelan.

“You’re serious,” Sif said, her voice quieter now.  I could pick up a trace of emotion now—maybe outrage, maybe something else.  “She said it?”

“Cameron and Jacqueline heard her and they’ve got no reason to lie,” Neve said, steel under the softness of her voice.  “If they said that’s what she was after, it’s the truth.”

“It’s the truth,” Thordin said quietly.  He crouched next to Sif, staring at her for a long, aching moment.  “He’s my friend, Sif.  Forgive him for what you think he might have done.”

“I know he didn’t tell you,” she said, staring at the fire.  “I know it was the prince of princes.  It doesn’t matter.  Why didn’t you find me?  Why didn’t you look?”

“How could I?” he whispered.  “I was dead.”

I leaned against Thom as I watched them and he put his arm around me, hugging me close.

“You have a second chance now,” I said softly.

“She’s right,” Thordin said.  “We do.”

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