Page 52 of Shadows of Winter

“Let’s worry about our upcoming plans for now. One step at a time. We’ve got to get everything staged before Wedgewick is ready. You know he wants attacks and distractions from multiple fronts.”

A distant call sounded. Someone else coming up the river?

Vlerion’s hand on Kaylina’s taut muscles stilled, and disappointment rushed into her. It wasn’t as if she’d expected him to keep rubbing her neck while more enemies arrived, but she wished the rebels would go away and—

And what? She could get busy with a haughty ranger next to a tomb? Sure, that would happen.

The men spoke again, but they’d moved farther into the grotto. To join whoever was coming?

“Is Hazlin with you?” one called, the words clear.

The distant answer sounded like, “Next boat.”

“Stay here,” Vlerion whispered, his lips brushing Kaylina’s ear again.

She was positive he didn’t mean his whispers to be erotic, and he was brushing her ear because it was dark and he couldn’t see where it was, but her body didn’t know that.

“For your safety,” he added. “From… everything.”

From everything? What did that mean?

His lips grazed her cheek as he pulled back. An accident, she told herself, however appealing it had been.

When he stepped away, easing out of the alcove with his sword in hand, she grew starkly aware of the cool damp air and missed the warmth of his body.

Kaylina rubbed her face and told herself to concentrate on the situation. There were at least three enemies out there now, three enemies who considered rangers foes to be dealt with. Even if Vlerion had been dismissive of her offer of help, she would use her sling if she saw an opportunity to assist him.

Before, she’d been reluctant to raise a weapon against fellow commoners, but after listening to those two voice their crude desires for her, she would have no trouble cracking them in the heads with lead rounds.

But long moments passed without the sounds of a scuffle. Nor did the Virts say anything to indicate they knew Vlerion was about. They’d moved too far away for Kaylina to make out their words, but she heard their voices and a few bumps and thumps. It sounded like they were unloading more cargo.

Was Vlerion hiding somewhere and hoping to hear more useful information? The torches were placed frequently enough in the grotto that there hadn’t been deep shadows between them. She didn’t remember seeing any other alcoves, but she hadn’t gotten a thorough look around the pool.

Kaylina crept to the tunnel and risked peeking out. The thumps and voices continued, coming from the direction of the dock. If the men were all there, they wouldn’t be able to see her leave and return to the castle. Which was what she ought to do, as Vlerion had originally suggested. Of course, his last order had been for her to stay in the alcove.

A distant scream chilled her blood.

A louder thump came from the dock, followed by curses.

“Was that Hazlin? Wrendon?” someone asked, his voice raised in alarm.

Kaylina had no trouble making out his words, but the response was muted.

“It was one of our men,” the first speaker said, a hint of panic in his tone. “The other boat had more cargo and was lagging behind.”

Maybe that was where Vlerion had gone. He’d recognized some of those names. He might have bypassed lesser men to go after one of the leaders.

Hoping her curiosity wouldn’t get her killed, Kaylina crept toward the grotto instead of away. Another distant scream sounded.

“That’s it.” Another thump accompanied the man’s words. “We’ve got to go check on them.”

“You feeling that brave?”

“They’re our allies. Besides, whatever’s after them will come for us next.”

Kaylina peered out of the tunnel toward the dock. A boat had indeed been rowed up to it, and more crates had joined the earlier stacks, though the two arguing men hadn’t finished unloading. With screams sounding in the distance, she couldn’t blame them.

“What do you mean whatever? It’s got to be the rangers.”

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