Page 15 of Degradation

“I just looked. I’m not sure what for, but it felt—feels—like there’s something there.”

“There? Where?”

“Around me from you. I thought it was energy, but it’s not. Not really.”

“How can you tell?”

“When I opened myself to it, it didn’t flood me.”

“Hmm. Would you like to look again while I distract you like Daemon did in the caves?”

I snorted and kissed the tip of his nose.

“I can feel their growing impatience. You’ve tested them enough for one day, I should think.”

He sighed with mock woe. “I will leave you to bathe in peace then. Unless you require my assistance?”

I shook my head and smiled as he stood with me and carried me to the waiting water.

“Wash quickly, or you will have company.”

Heeding his warning, I finished with haste and donned the gown they’d purchased for me before any of them could intrude. Filled with anticipation and concern, I opened the door and looked out into the yard.

Edmund was covering the fire with dirt, something I’d never seen them do. Supplies and packs waited in a pile beside a table filled with plates of food.

“Come eat, Sparrow,” Eadric said, holding out his hand for me. His hair was wet, likely from a recent washing at the well, and my cheeks flushed as I recalled why he’d needed to wash.

Darian swept me into his arms while I was distracted and carried me over to the table. He didn’t place me on his lap, though. He seated me on the bench between him and Eadric. Everyone else took a seat, too, and I eyed the incredible amount of food they’d made.

“We made what would spoil and moved the rest of it into the trees for your father,” Brandle said. “I expect we won’t be returning here for some time.”

I nodded and filled my plate. Though Eadric was more than willing to feed me, he focused on his own food while I quickly ate mine.

Garron was the first to finish and took his plate to the well. I helped him wash while the others completed the preparations to depart.

“It must be hard leaving your home,” I said, feeling Garron’s sadness and worry.

“While it’s the only home I’ve known, I know it’s not my true home,” he said.

“Do you have any family left in Turre?” I asked.

“No. We are the last of our family,” he said.

I felt his surge of fear. It had layers. Fear for his brothers and what they would face in Turre. Fear that I would run. Fear that I would hate them for withholding the truth. Fear that?—

“Snow?”

Realizing I was staring at him, I focused on the plate I held as my thoughts raced.

They weren’t telling me something. Why? I considered asking then decided against it after recalling Brandle’s caution from the evening before. Knowing that I could feel what they felt had to be intrusive to them. Yet, they had never once admonished me for unintentionally delving into their feelings. That did not mean I should do so without consideration for their need for privacy. So, while I couldn’t help sensing their feelings, Icouldchoose to ignore them.

“Kellen?” Garron said when I didn’t answer.

“I apologize. I’m feeling a bit disconcerted. For my sister’s sake, I’m happy to leave. However, I worry about what we might face in the days to come. I don’t want anything to happen to any of you.”

He dried his hands on his pants and pulled me into a comforting hug.

“We know to be cautious and how to not draw attention. Trust us. Please.”

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