Page 59 of Shrine of Fire

I couldn’t quite stop myself from wincing. “I met Hashir before Stefan. We’re still figuring it out.”

“Ah.” Cuan twisted a long clump of wool.

“Who do you think might be dangerous?” I frowned. “Aki has brooding down to a mastered art, but he was trained by the Order of the Silver Lion and stood by my side when we fought the Faceless One.”

“I hate that you had to do that,” Cuan growled suddenly, stopping what he was doing to grab my hand. “Omegas shouldn’t have to deal with these new spirits. We had that realm sealed away for a reason.”

“They’re not new.” I was shocked at the force of his response. “The problem is because we locked them away. The magic has been building up to hazardous levels.”

“Spirits are dangerous. Capricious.” Cuan’s hair fell over his shoulder. “Our lands know this better than most, being closer to the spirit realms.”

“They are no more or less dangerous than people are,” I said, remembering the battle that stole my pack from me. “People wage wars over petty slights and steal riches from other nations because they think they have the strength to do so.”

“Aye, you’re right about that. But people do not have the power to wipe out an entire village because they feel as though they’ve been slighted. I cannot say the same for spirits.”

Something clicked. “You’re close to the Spirit realm here. Are there more spirits in the area than usual?”

“Yes.” Cuan shook his head. “That is what concerns me. The red-haired man you travel with is not a man at all, but a spirit.”

My jaw dropped. “How do you know?”

“I know.”

“I saw he was a spirit. We were there when…” I paused, suddenly not sure how much to reveal.

Cuan watched me, waiting for me to finish my sentence.

“He was pulled from the spirit world,” I said finally. Part of me wanted to tell him everything about Hella Mora, why we were here.

I chose to give him the barest of truths. “Kalahar is weakened, and unable to travel back to the spirit realms for a time.”

Cuan’s expression was still pleasant but gone was the buffoonish oaf making bawdy comments. He didn’t look a thing like Stefan, but in that moment, he had the same politely blank face: that of a man used to keeping on top of political intrigues by hiding his true thoughts.

He nodded. “Very well then. I would have preferred you told us what he was, but it is too late for that.”

“I’m sorry.” I paused. “I didn’t think you would know.”

“No one else knows. There is no offense.” His mask of false cheer was back. “There are many arts that were lost once the Shrines went up. I suppose they will come back in time.”

“What arts?” I rubbed the soft wool between my forefinger and thumb. “How did you know he was a spirit?”

Cuan stood up. “Nothing to concern yourself with, my lady.”

“Don’t you ‘my lady’ me, and run away,” I snapped. “If you don’t want to tell me, then fine. But don’t pretend like it’s nothing to worry my pretty little head about.”

Cuan froze, like a boy caught with his hand in the cookie jar, then looked at me more intently. “I will not tell you how I know. So long as he does nothing to endanger you or my people, then I will keep your secrets.” Cuan paused. “What little of them you share with me.”

I huffed. “Have you given me reason to confide in you? You’re playing an odd game: outwardly courting me and my pack yet trying to dissuade my interest by behaving like an idiot.”

“An idiot? I’d thought I was more the charming rogue.” Cuan looked wounded.

Cuan’s ability to shift moods depending on the atmosphere reminded me of my lost mate Derrick. They were nothing alike otherwise but could read the room in an instant.

“A charming rogue does not speak of the lady’s beauty and then tell a bawdy tale about a ship captain’s quest to bed the most beautiful maidens up and down the coast.” I gave him a withering look. “You should take notes from Hashir if that is the role you wish to play.”

“If I could spend enough time with him, I might.” Cuan gave me a sideways glance. “I suppose the coming trip will give us more time to get to know each other.”

I couldn’t hide my grimace, and Cuan laughed. “Are you worried for me, or for the others?”

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