“You should send me as well,” Reece said, inserting himself into the conversation. “I have just as much experience as Shea. Furthermore, I’m the one who led you to this place.”
Eamon snorted. “Yes, the ambush by golden eagle has inspired such confidence in your skills and loyalty.”
Reece’s shoulders bunched, and he gave Eamon a cold look. “The eagles were no fault of mine. I don’t control them. Perhaps if your men had been a little quicker, they wouldn’t have drawn the eagles’ notice.”
“We don’t trust you,” Buck said, stating the truth in a matter of fact manner. “People we don’t trust aren’t typically sent out with the scouts.”
Reece lifted an eyebrow. “And yet you trusted Shea to lead you. Your scout team was the one she was part of for the past few months, wasn’t it?”
Shea narrowed her eyes at him. He was up to something. While that information was widely known among the Trateri, it wasn’t the sort of thing they would share with a prisoner, someone they barely trusted. Where had he gotten that little tidbit?
“Best be careful, boy,” Buck warned. “We don’t take it lightly when someone slanders one of our own.”
“Shea has long since proven her loyalty,” Fallon said when it looked like Buck was about to throw discipline to the wind and attack Reece. “The same cannot be said for you.”
Reece lifted his hands, backing down with one last glance around the group. He heaved a sigh but didn’t argue.
Fallon looked at Shea. “You may go with the scouts.” Shea took a deep breath and started to smile. “I’ll be going with you.”
She debated whether to argue but decided not to take his stipulation as a slight on her skills.
“Fallon,” Caden protested. “That is unwise.”
Fallon gestured for quiet. “I’ve made my decision. You can send two of the Anateri with us if that makes you feel better, but we will be part of the scouting party.”
Caden shut his mouth, his lips tightening as his eyes shot to Shea in a glare that should have singed her eyebrows. It was clear he laid the blame for Fallon’s decision at her feet. If Fallon came back with so much as a scratch, she suspected Caden would find a way to take it out of her hide.
Guess she just needed to make sure they didn’t run into any trouble they couldn’t handle.
*
Shea stepped lightly among the rubble of the long dead city. She’d made the decision to leave the horses at the edge, feeling that it would be easier to make their way quickly and quietly if they were on foot. The horses the Trateri trained were hardy and perfect for war, not spooking at the scent of blood and vicious on the battlefield. She still didn’t trust that they wouldn’t get it into their little horsey brains to panic at the first sign of a beast.
That tight feeling in Shea’s chest that she’d been carrying around for the past few months as she tried to find her place among the Trateri started loosening as she slipped seamlessly back into the role she’d worn for most of her life. It was so easy to be this person, the one that always knew what they were doing.
She stalked along the deserted streets of a city that hadn’t seen humans in many generations, careful to keep her footsteps silent as she kept her head up and on the swivel looking for any sign of beasts or other things that could present a danger to Fallon’s army. Fallon, Eamon and two of the Anateri made their equally silent way, following behind her at a distance of about ten feet between each.
When she’d explained her reasoning for the distance, Fallon had given her a look like he wanted to demand she stay safe behind him but had taken a deep breath and then let her proceed as she’d wished. She’d been a bit surprised at the easy capitulation to be honest. She thought he would argue a lot more with her and that she’d have to point out she had way more experience in such matters. The fact that he had listened and ceded control to her gave her hope.
She held up her hand, fist closed, signaling a halt. The men behind her froze in place, their hands dropping to the swords at their waists as they watched the city around them with suspicious gazes.
Something was off. Something beyond the feeling that the city was watching, waiting. As if it was some great entity with a consciousness. One that was not entirely welcoming to these strangers.
Fallon didn’t waste time asking what was wrong or questioning what was there. He made two sharp gestures, signaling his men to spread out, leaving Shea to figure out why her instincts were telling her there was danger all around them.
People see so much more than they realize. Sometimes, especially when you’ve had years of training, something that you might not have consciously noticed, pricks at your subconscious inspiring those gut feelings. Shea had learned to listen to those feelings. They had rarely led her wrong. Right now, they were practically screaming. She just had to figure out what had set them off.
The city was quiet around them, the only noise that of other scouts far off in the distance. No movement in the buildings around them. Shea sniffed at the air. No smell either.
Still, she waited. Better to be slow and cautious then fast and dead.
Eamon, used to this behavior from her, edged into her view and gave her a nod, letting her know without words to take her time. He knew about her feelings. He’d learned to trust them. Fallon was equally content to wait.
After a few more minutes, Shea straightened, though she kept a wary eye around them. Whatever was there was gone.
Fallon made his way across the ground, careful not to make any sound. “What was it?”
“Not sure,” Shea responded. “It almost felt like we were being watched.”
“Are you sure that it’s not just this place causing that feeling?” There was no judgment in Fallon’s voice. He was simply asking a question anyone might ask.
For that reason, Shea gave it some thought. It was possible. Everyone was on edge. Zeph’s observation that this was a city inhabited by the dead wasn’t far off. It certainly felt that way, with its oppressive air and the feeling that it was waiting for something that would never come.
Shea looked up at the sky. Certain parts of the cavern ceiling had crumbled, crushing the buildings below and leaving rubble strewn all over. It had created gaps through which sun could pierce. The roots of vegetation grew through small spaces, as if reaching for the city below.
Shea shook her head. “I think this is separate from that. It’s the third time I’ve felt that we’re not alone here. It feels like something is following us, though I don’t know what, or who, or if it’s dangerous.” Frustration colored her voice.
Fallon laid a hand on the small of her back, giving her support without saying a word. She took a deep breath and met his gaze. He gave her a firm nod of approval.