Thom\u2019s eyes blinked open and he sucked in a startled breath as he realized he was back in his own body, on his knees in the snow. Thordin touched his shoulder. The screaming of the Greys had died away almost to nothing, just a few echoing whimpers of the death-screams were still audible now.<\/p>\n
\u201cSteady,\u201d Thordin murmured. \u201cFirst time you\u2019ve done that?\u201d<\/p>\n
Swallowing bile, Thom nodded as he carefully got to his feet. \u201cWe\u2019ve got problems.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve always got problems,\u201d Thordin said, his brow furrowing.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy daughter has Phelan\u2019s anima<\/em>, old friend.\u201d<\/p>\n Thordin jerked, spinning toward Seamus. \u201cWhat? Who<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n Leinth went as pale as the snow beneath her boots. \u201cAlbina\u2019s daughter?\u201d<\/p>\n Seamus nodded, expression grim. \u201cNo one told me that the girl\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHates with a passion that burns with the fire of a thousand suns? More bitter than anyone ever could be or ever should be?\u201d Leinth sighed, eyes fluttering shut or a moment. \u201cHow could anyone? None of us knew you were alive.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHer mother knew,\u201d Seamus muttered, glaring toward the bridge. His fingers twitched, crept toward the hunting horn hanging from his belt.<\/p>\n Leinth\u2019s hand snapped out and arrested his before his fingers wrapped around the instrument. \u201cNo,\u201d she said. \u201cLeave them. Let them do as they\u2019re going to do. We have something else to do, don\u2019t we?\u201d<\/p>\n Thom cleared his throat and spat bile into the snow. \u201cHow do we get him back, Seamus?\u201d<\/p>\n Seamus shook himself, blinking. Was it Thom\u2019s imagination, or had there been a shadow over his eyes for a moment? The master of the Wild Hunt swallowed, hand twisting in Lieinth\u2019s until his fingers were wrapped around hers. \u201cFirst we have to figure out what she wants,\u201d he murmured. \u201cWhether it\u2019s personal or otherwise.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s always personal with her,\u201d Leinth whispered. \u201cShe probably wants you.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cOh goody,\u201d Thom said, swallowing a sigh. \u201cIf it\u2019s not someone wanting Phelan, it\u2019s someone using Phelan to get to someone else.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cShit, guys,\u201d Marin\u2019s voice called. \u201cIt looks like we woke everyone for nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n Thom\u2019s stomach sank.<\/p>\n Oh hell. Now what the hell do I say?<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Thom\u2019s eyes blinked open and he sucked in a startled breath as he realized he was back in his own body, on his knees in the snow. Thordin touched his shoulder. The screaming of the Greys had died away almost … Continue reading