He was at my side in an instant, but before he could help me up I spun around, my other leg extended, smashing into his lower legs. Brace landed flat on his back next to me.
“Hell, yeah!” I shouted, bouncing to my feet.
Of course I should have remembered his long arms as he reached out and yanked me down to land next to him. He pulled me close, our skins flushed as we lay in a tangle.
“That was a cheap trick, Red.”
I laughed. “You told me to plan and use your weaknesses. I think I achieved both admirably.”
Jumping to his feet, he leaned down to gather me in his arms, cradling me close. “You did well, sweetheart, but don’t think the same thing is going to work on others.”
And with those words he let go, dumping me straight onto the padded floor.
Ass.
And the torture began. He spent hours forcing me to learn techniques and skills I’d never dreamed possible. He was a machine, highly trained and dangerous. Four hours later I was finally free to hobble upstairs for a shower.
“Remind me to watch a movie next time I’m bored,” I groaned as I passed Lucy in the hall.
“You look like half-beaten crap, Abbs.” She laughed at me.
“Brace better sleep with one eye open tonight is all I can say.”
“I sleep with both eyes open, Red. No one gets the drop on me.” He’d followed me up the stairs.
I glared at him, my aching muscles protesting as I marched past, Lucy and Brace’s laughter following me.
“I hate you both,” I called over my shoulder, wincing the entire way to my room.
The night before the battle Lallielle insisted on a family dinner. The last thing I felt like doing was forcing down food all the while trying to ignore my panic and worry. But she insisted. The reds were stationed around the house, so we were reasonably safe for the moment. The conversation was stilted as we attempted small talk.
Francesca was still missing, but Quarn was here. He felt so much like part of the family that I would have been sad not to see him all the time. And the tension that existed between Josian and Quarn had started to disappear. Even Quarn couldn’t ignore the love and devotion between Josian and Lallielle, and he was finally forgiving him for leaving her.
“You listen here, woman –” Josian was a brave man arguing with Lallielle.
“Call me woman one more time, and you’ll be listening to my fist in your teeth.” She cut off the rest of his speech.
Josian grabbed her clenched fist, opening it gently before kissing her knuckles. Their interaction at least worked to ease some of the strain in the room.
Lucy and Samuel were sitting side by side tonight, but I could feel the chill between them. Something definitely wasn’t right there.
“So who are you going to call for the battle?” I faced Josian.
I wasn’t interested in small talk, and if I didn’t ask the question, no one would. Silence descended over the room. Josian smiled at me. I glared back. I’d already asked earlier, but everyone was too busy to speak with me.
“I’ll call Brace and Grantham of Relli.”
My brow furrowed.
“He’s the leader of another Walker clan, and one of my very oldest friends. His people will stand with us tomorrow.”
“Do the ass-hole power-hungry morons in the Abernath clan ...?” I glanced at Brace, who was sitting across the table from me. “No offence.”
A grin spread across his face. I almost forgot what I was going to say in the face of his blinding smile. Josian cleared his throat. I tore my gaze from Brace, my face flushed and breathing slightly erratic.
“Sorry, so the Abernaths, do they have any powerful allies?”
I should have asked about the specifics of the seven clans of Walkers a long time before.
“The Abernaths have always considered themselves to be above the rest of the clans. For some reason our members are powerful, strong and ambitious. We have no ties to other clans,” Brace answered.
I hoped he was right. I blew him a little kiss.
His hard features softened.
I liked that it was something that only happened around me.
You look way too sexy tonight, Red. What on First World possessed you to wear that top? I’ve stabbed myself in the chin five times instead of getting the food in my mouth.
He locked me in his gaze, something he was so talented at. I wiggled on my chair. His words caused physical responses that were far too inappropriate for the dinner table. I might just have to attempt the underwear plan tonight. I needed some relief from the hormones.
“Is there a reason for all the questions, Aribella?” Josian interrupted my steamy thoughts. “I get the distinct impression you don’t believe we’re prepared.”