{"id":1292,"date":"2012-07-06T00:00:17","date_gmt":"2012-07-06T04:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1292"},"modified":"2012-07-05T18:03:34","modified_gmt":"2012-07-05T22:03:34","slug":"winter-chapter-15-08","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/?p=1292","title":{"rendered":"Winter – Chapter 15 – 08"},"content":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDaniel.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Drew stepped past us and walked toward the man and the four wolves milling around his bare legs.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell are you doing here?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 More importantly, where the hell did you learn to do that?<\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>My fingers dug so hard into Thom\u2019s arm that he winced.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSteady, Mar,\u201d he breathed.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat the hell was that?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I murmured.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cDon\u2019t know,\u201d Thom said, voice low so only Phelan and I could hear him.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut I\u2019ll trust Drew enough to find out.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cStanding here naked, apparently,\u201d Daniel said, his hands moving to protect his modesty.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFor the love of God, Andrew, I need some pants.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Or maybe a towel?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Someone behind me choked on nervous laughter.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It might have been Carolyn.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I couldn\u2019t be sure.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Drew sighed, glancing back at me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I jerked my head slightly to the side.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He scanned the nearest edge of the circle, then said, \u201cCare, there\u2019s some sweats hanging to dry back by the laundry tubs.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Grab them, huh?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cPull the lines in,\u201d Thom added.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut not too far.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Tell the sentries to stay put.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Carolyn looked momentarily confused by the term <\/span>sentries<\/span><\/em> but seemed to catch Thom\u2019s meaning a moment later.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019ll tell them to stay up top.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Her gaze flicked to me.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I tlted my head slightly in silent question.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 All clear?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>She nodded and moved away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I exhaled a breathing I hadn\u2019t quite realized I was holding and sagged slightly.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 One crisis averted\u2014for now.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I refocused on the current problem at hand.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>The man Drew called Daniel was taller than even Thom, lean and muscled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>A black tattoo that might have been of thorns or claws circled his left bicep.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His skin was parchment-pale, though, as if he didn\u2019t spend much time outdoors\u2014or simply turned red as a lobster when he did.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes were big, bright blue.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Gods and monsters, <\/em><\/span>I realized with a jolt.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He has Drew\u2019s eyes.\u00a0 <\/span>Or Drew has his.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <\/span>They were shaped the same and were just as deep, fathomless.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAll right,\u201d Drew rumbled.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cSomeone\u2019s getting you pants.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Now what the hell are you doing here?<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>How did you find me?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYou never made a secret of where you were going to university,\u201d Daniel said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIf I didn\u2019t know better, I\u2019d guess you weren\u2019t happy to see me.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Drew took a few deep, even breaths.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt\u2019s not that at all,\u201d he said slowly, gently.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI just wonder why here and why now\u2014and how you learned to take the shape of a gods-be-damned <\/span>wolf<\/span><\/em>, little brother!\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>It was as if someone had doused me with ice-cold water.<\/span>\u00a0 Little brother?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOh,\u201d Daniel said, glancing down at his lupine companions.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat trick.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYes,\u201d Drew said, voice straining.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat trick.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cComplicated,\u201d Daniel said. <\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Slightly more or less than why I\u2019m here.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze drifted toward Phelan, lurking behind Thom and I.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWanderer?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan flinched.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho gave you that name?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He tensed behind us.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I touched his hand lightly, but that did nothing for the tension knotting his frame.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom glanced at him, brow furrowing slightly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan didn\u2019t move, just stood there, hands knotted around his staff, barely breathing as he let Thom and I stand sentinel in front of him, living shields.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>If he hadn\u2019t been so frightened, he probably would have been angry at us.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cA woman named Cara O\u2019Shea.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>She still keeps a photograph of you on her desk in Cardiff.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Did, anyway, when I left.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Drew stared blankly at Daniel.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I watched Phelan\u2019s face crumple like a tissue in a fist.<\/span>\u00a0 Oh shit.<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI called her Kit,\u201d Phelan said, almost too soft to hear.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cIt was a long time ago.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Daniel kept staring at Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cShe told me stories about you when I was a boy.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>When the pack heard what we heard on the coast, we started running.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Hunting for you.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His gaze flicked toward Drew.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cI\u2019m surprised he\u2019s here, Andrew.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Then again, perhaps I\u2019m not.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019ve got Grandmother\u2019s gift as surely as I got mum\u2019s.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I clamped my mouth shut, mind reeling.<\/span>\u00a0 What the hell is going on here?<\/em><\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>You don\u2019t want to know, Marin.\u00a0 <\/span>You really don\u2019t.<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>But I needed to, whether I liked it or not.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat did you hear on the coast?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked, voice heavy with dread.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His hand tightened briefly on my arm.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Daniel met Thom\u2019s gaze head-on.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe man who decided whether or not we were going to shoot you or give you pants,\u201d Thom said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His voice was even now, impossibly calm.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe give you pants, you answer our questions.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>One of the wolves growled, showing teeth.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Daniel gave it an open-handed slap.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The wolf whined, then slunk back, tail curling under.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Fuck, Thom.\u00a0 <\/span>You\u2019re playing chicken with the pack\u2019s alpha.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We don\u2019t know what the hell we\u2019re dealing with here.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>What\u2019s wrong with you?<\/span><\/em><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan finally squeezed my hand back, his shock seeming to fade.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The look in his eye told me I needed to trust my husband.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom knew what he was doing.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I hoped Phelan\u2019s faith wasn\u2019t misplaced.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Daniel kept staring at Thom, breaking eyelock at last when Carolyn edged forward to hand him a pair of sweatpants and a jacket.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>The big man sighed and shook his head as he started to yank the pants on over long legs.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe Nordics have set hounds upon the Wanderer\u2019s scent.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t know what you\u2019ve all done to piss them off, but they want you dead or theirs, one or the other.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I don\u2019t think they much care which it is at the end of the day.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I feared,\u201d Phelan murmured.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I squeezed his hand with every ounce of my strength.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cHow much time do we have?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom asked.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I could already see the numbers running in his head, the logistics coming together.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He would find a way to keep us safe\u2014no matter what it took, no matter what it cost him physically.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Not for the first time, I thanked whatever powers that were out there that he was still with us and prayed the cost wouldn\u2019t be too high.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThat\u2019s the good news,\u201d Daniel said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe lads and I knew what to look for.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We\u2019re smarter than the louts they\u2019re sending after you.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They don\u2019t know where to start looking.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Could be months.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Years, even.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>His eyes narrowed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThey\u2019re working from the <\/span>old<\/span><\/em> scent, the <\/span>ancient<\/span><\/em> scent, not the new one.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019ll chase false leads.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cFalse leads,\u201d Thom repeated, a question latent in his tone.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cAye.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019ll chase anything close for a while and move on when they realize it\u2019s not him\u2014or any of you.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They don\u2019t have scents for you yet, but I imagine they eventually will if you can\u2019t take them all out when they finally make it here.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cBut we have time,\u201d Thom said.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cOh, aye.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>No idea how much, but there\u2019s time.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>We came to warn you.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWill you be staying long?\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin broke in, crossing her arms as she stood a few feet away from us, having listened quietly to the whole exchange, thinking, watching\u2014waiting.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNot too long,\u201d Daniel said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTwo weeks, perhaps.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Then west or east, or south.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Depends on what Lord Tiv and Lady Cel require.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin looked at Thom and I, then looked back at Daniel.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThen you and your pack are welcome by our fire.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>I think we\u2019ll enjoy your <\/span>stories<\/span><\/em> tonight.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Daniel inclined his head.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Kellin turned and walked away.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Thom released me and stepped forward.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe rest are going to need clothes,\u201d he said.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>It wasn\u2019t a question.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Daniel nodded.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhatever you can spare.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWe\u2019ll have a look,\u201d my husband told him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Phelan\u2019s hand spasmed around mine and I looked at him.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cMy sister,\u201d he breathed.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cTeague, Kira.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Neve.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>They\u2019ll be in danger because I killed Vammatar.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cThe alternative was worse, Phelan.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWas it?\u201d he whispered.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWas it really?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cYes,\u201d I said, then slid my arm around his shoulders.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNever let anyone tell you different, Phelan.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Ever.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>Never doubt it.\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>He leaned against me and I led him back toward the fire.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Leann\u00e1n<\/span><\/em>,\u201d he said after a few steps.<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>I looked at him sidelong, saw tears in his eyes.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong?\u201d<\/span><\/span>
\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cNothing,\u201d he said softly.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201cEverything.\u201d<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>He kissed my temple and murmured something in his native tongue that I didn\u2019t understand, but my heart knew because it swelled up into my throat.<\/span>\u00a0 <\/span>\u201c<\/span>Cinni\u00faint roghnaigh go maith nuair a roghnaigh s\u00e9 agat, a st\u00f3r amh\u00e1in. Go maith, go deimhin.<\/span><\/em>\u201d<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cDaniel.\u201d\u00a0 Drew stepped past us and walked toward the man and the four wolves milling around his bare legs.\u00a0 \u201cWhat the hell are you doing here?\u201d \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 More importantly, where the hell did you learn to do that?\u00a0 My … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,54,14,52,39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1292","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-2","category-chapter-15","category-story","category-winter","category-year-one"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p1EBlN-kQ","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1292"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1294,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1292\/revisions\/1294"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1292"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1292"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/awakenings.embklitzke.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1292"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}