Leviathan’s brows went up. “I’d heard he was long dead.”
“Fate finds a way,” Phelan said by way of explanation, hoping against hope that he’d be allowed to leave it at that.
Leviathan squinted at him, but mercifully let it go. “So it was for him that you overreached.”
“I would have done it for any of them.” Phelan’s jaw tightened. And twice over for some of them—or more. “These people are my family, and if you’re of a mind to use that against me, go ahead and try. You won’t like the result.”
Leviathan’s brows shot up. “I’m not certain how to take that, Wanderer.”
“In the spirit in which it was intended,” Phelan said. “As fair warning.”
Leviathan stared at him for a moment, then laughed.
Leinth’s fingers tangled in his sleeve and Phelan glanced at her, brow furrowing.
“Don’t bait him, Phelan,” she whispered. “Do you really think we can afford more enemies?”
“I’m not baiting him,” Phelan hissed back, then turned his attention back to Leviathan, whose mirth was fading slowly. “What are your intentions, Yam? We’ve told you ours.”
“If no harm is meant to us, then we mean no harm to you.” The other man’s gaze flicked toward the walls. His brow furrowed. “Though, I sense…is it possible?”
Phelan winced as Leinth’s fingers dug into his flesh.
“If you’re asking about the Wild Hunt, then yes,” Matt said quietly, crossing his arms. “Yes, it is possible.”
“They ride,” Leviathan said quietly. His gaze flicked toward Matt, then to Phelan and Leinth before shifting back to Matt.
“Some of them,” Matt agreed. “And some stay behind here. It was their price.”
Oh hell, Matt, keep your mouth shut.
“Their price? Price for what?”
“For freedom,” Leinth said, shooting a glare toward Matt, a silent warning to say no more. “For one man’s freedom from their oath. Nothing more. Nothing less.”
