Alistor was pacing the shack running one hand nervously through his hair. He looked unhinged.
"She should have been back by now," he kept saying. "Where is she?"
Sebastian and Sasha were really no help. They looked worried, but were clueless as to what to do. I finally touched his shoulder.
"Why don't I help you find her before you walk yourself through the floorboards?"
He shrugged me off coldly.
"I will go find her," he growled. "Alone."
I sighed. "Really not your best idea there. Not with those crazy "protectors" running through the city. Plus I can sense her."
His lip curled back. I knew he didn't like the idea that we had a keen sense of finding each other. Personally, I hated the idea too. What if she tracked me at the wrong time?
He groaned in frustration. "Fine.
He stormed outside with me right at his heel, untying my horse. "We are not taking my horse," I growled.
"We are. Now, are you going to help me find her or not?"
I sighed, mounting my horse with him sitting behind me? It was rather uncomfortable to think about. I didn't like being in such close proximity to a man. I rode as quickly as I dared in the unlit, muddy streets towards where I sensed her. I didn't want to worry Alistor, but I could sense she was hurt … pretty badly. When I got to her street and I stopped, I felt Alistor leap off my mount. He seemed not to be able to run fast enough. He scooped her up into his arms and I heard her weak cry of pain.
"They… stole our horses."
She coughed.
"Shh," he cooed, holding her closer.
He brought her over to my horse. I held her while he mounted. She looked up at me, confused.
"I played tracker is all," I said reassuringly.
She said nothing as her eyes closed as I handed her limp body to Alistor. I led them through the city, my hands clenched. It had to be the work of the Keltcher. Why would they harm her? Why would the Keltcher attack an Nephilium? Something didn't add up.
Once back at the shack, Alistor had me hold her long enough for him to dismount. He then quickly took her inside. Sasha met him halfway.
"What happened to her?"
Alistor said nothing and I watched from outside as he made her as comfortable on their cot as possible.
"The… the Keltcher," he said shaily.
I could sense the hatred in his voice.
"I'll go find a healer," she said quickly, grabbing her cloak.
Sebastian grabbed her shoulder. "Someone should come with you. The Keltcher are active tonight. We don't need another attack."
That was probably the most sensible thing I had heard come out of the overprotective dragon's mouth.
"I'll go with you," I piped up. "I have a horse."
Alistor and Sebastian both shot me a look.
"Nay," argued Sebastian. "We already lost two horses tonight. We will not lose third."
I glared him down. "Svia is my prized possession. Whoever tries to lay a hand on her will feel my wrath. I swear on the gods Asher and Zenti."
No one tried to argue after that. My mark tingled for a moment and I hoped Asher would be on my side.
"You're not going anywhere with my she wolf!" he boomed.
"Sebastian, it's the fastest way. She needs a healer," Sasha piped up, looking Sebastian in the eyes.
Something unsaid passed between those two and finally Sebastian nodded and Sasha walked towards me. She was in a huff. How did she stand such an overprotective guy as Sebastian?
"Are we going or not, Prince?" she called from outside.
"No funny business!" boomed Sebastian as I jogged outside to meet Sasha. She had already mounted my horse and taken the front.
"Not again," I moaned.
Personally I was worried. I had never let anyone take the reins to my horse besides her.
"I think I got it from when you did it," she said. "Come on! I know the way. You don't. This is the fastest way."
I sighed. "Just be careful with Svia, she my life."