Page 76 of Shifter King
AaQar's eyebrow lifted. "The woman you pulled out of the river is Eskiatlo. She saw Amelia. But Amelia isn't in this river. They had the eagle bring her back up, and that means they have likely put her in a cell. She says most of the city is underground. I've sent WroOth back to the bunker, and QueQoa is taking Eskiatlo to Laachtue and to see if she can help us with anything. Now. Before you decide to kuvaste me, listen. I know rivers, Naatos. And I know what these waters used to be. They have only gotten faster, and back in our day they were exceptionally swift. The fact that this woman survived is a miracle. We can't track fast enough through all of the tributaries in even one night. And we're going to need help finding Amelia. All right? You can throw yourself against the rocks and tear out trees and fight quetzies and wild dragons as much as you want, but this is not a time to be wild. This is a time to be cunning. The Reskal city is well camouflaged, protected by technology we can't beat yet, and we need to prepare."
Naatos braced his arms, the muscles working through his body, his blood pulsing with heat and rage. AaQar was right. He hated admitting that right now. But he was. "Fine."
AaQar nodded, but he waited until Naatos shifted back to the black dragon form to take his own pale-green cloud soarer form. Even more infuriating, he insisted on flying right alongside him.
Aggravating older brother.
They journeyed back to the bunker swiftly. Most of the aerial predators left them alone now. For whatever reason. Not soon enough though he glimpsed the black briars, thick pines, and crowded forest where the bunker was hidden. Its clearing had been camouflaged almost perfectly. Yet somehow, not perfectly enough.
He dropped down into the clearing, not even bothering to soften the landing. A jarring pain flared up his leg, taking half a second longer than usual to heal. The rocks rumbled, some cracking faintly as the trees groaned. AaQar landed lighter, then returned to his state of rest. Though AaQar gave him a chiding glance, he at least said nothing though he did check the outer rock shelter that covered their entrance.
Naatos returned to his state of rest and retrieved the items he had shifted around. Her sash, shoes, and dagger. He draped her sash around his neck as if it were a loose scarf. Already her scent faded even from that, merging with his own and dissipating into nothing. It wasn't right, but it was happening. And faster than it should.
She'd be back before the scent vanished.
He followed after AaQar, slower. The soft sound of conversation reached his ears. "I am certain you are quite tired," AaQar said. "If you've had enough to eat, it might be wise to rest."
"I have made a place for you to rest in the back," QueQoa said, his voice more distant. "But if there is anything else you need, you only need to say."
He crossed to the entrance. Why was AaQar blocking the doorway? He put his hand on his shoulder. AaQar moved only a little.
Eskiatlo stood by the table, an empty brown bowl of stew near her hip, her arms wrapped tight around herself.
He halted. Cold anger flashed through him.
That woman was wearing Amelia's green dress. It didn't fit her as well, being too short in all respects. The color didn't suit her either. But she was wearing it. Wearing it as if that were perfectly acceptable. The muscles in his jaw tightened.
"Thank—thank you for saving me from the river and bringing me here." Eskiatlo drew back into the hall, her gaze darting from Naatos to AaQar. "I am very grateful. I'm just going to rest for a bit. Thank you."
QueQoa opened the door for her in the back of the long hall. After she slipped in and closed it, he approached Naatos cautiously. "That was my choice," he said softly. "I gave her one of Amelia's dresses to wear. AaQar's outer robe was soaked. I didn't think Amelia would mind, and—"
"She wouldn't." He didn't want to talk about it. The woman had clearly suffered. It wasn't her fault that she'd been dragged out to be made an example of. Yet that anger burned hot and clear within, rising with each breath. He'd have kuvasted if he could spare the strength. But that wasn't what was important right now.
He pressed the base of his palm to his temple, struggling to cool the raging thoughts. It wasn't an issue. Clothing was meant to be used. Of course that is what Amelia would want.
WroOth stepped in front of him to get to the stove. "You shouldn't get in your bed right now either. We'll have to make you a new one."
"Why? You gave it to her?" Naatos demanded, his voice low.
"No." WroOth offered a tight but lopsided smile, then ladled up a large serving. "There's a baby in your bed."
"What?" He drew back, scowling. How—what?
"We found a baby Bealorn," QueQoa said. "Her name is Choe. She sleeps like a dream in your bed. Probably because she likes Amelia."
"What else do you have to tell me, QueQoa?" Naatos glared at him.
"About the baby or Laachtue?"
"Well, let's start with whatever gets us closer to getting Amelia back. Unless you think there is another more pressing subject."
QueQoa released a long breath, then he explained all that Laachtue had said.
AaQar dished up stew for himself and Naatos, offering it to QueQoa as well and then prodding Naatos to sit.
Naatos struggled to listen. The smoky savory scent of the stew barely reached him; the flavors had neither intensity nor subtlety. QueQoa's report and his brothers' questions flowed over him. If he didn't pay attention, they'd move right past him. But the thought of more Bealorns did not appeal to him. And if Zorna's Bealorns wanted to burn in fire rather than be captured, he'd be more than happy to oblige. Fire, water, electricity, dirt. They could die however they wanted as long as they died and she lived.
"We will be there in the morning," AaQar said. "Before first light. If they can help us, it is likely the safest way to get Amelia back."
