She pulled away to clear her head, then squinted when she saw lights in the distance. “What is that?”
Both guys immediately snapped into warrior mode in a blur of motion. Atlas was at her side instantly, while Caedmon stood in front of them, his sword drawn.
Damned if she even saw him draw it, much less move.
He was that fast.
When nothing jumped out of the dark and attacked, Caedmon spoke to them from over his shoulder. “Stay here. I’ll go investigate.”
“No.” Morgan threw herself around Atlas before he could catch her, magic giving her a boost of speed. She stepped in front of Caedmon, glaring up at him and refused to budge. “No separating. You go, we all go.”
“It’s not safe?—”
“It will be even less safe with only one of you to protect me.” She crossed her arms, seconds away from tapping her foot. Then she blinked and looked away from him, her anger leaving her in a rush, her shoulder slumping. “Don’t leave. I don’t think I could stand it if anything happened to you.”
After a short pause, Caedmon nodded, then leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. “Very well. Let’s go.”
She sagged in relief.
Just as she fell in step with them again, Atlas looked over at Caedmon. “Trap?”
Caedmon stared off in the distance and nodded. “Trap.”
Well fuck!
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The air felt heavy with tension as they approached the small village. It was more primitive than she’d expected, consisting of small huts instead of real buildings. And while a few places had lights flickering in the windows, there was an emptiness to the place that gave it a haunted, abandoned feel.
Like the people were in such a rush that they just got up and left everything behind.
She rubbed her arms as they paused near the edge of the village, trying to get rid of that eerie sensation. “We can just continue walking until we find something else.”
Both men immediately shook their heads, and she glanced at the dark forest around them, wondering what could make two experienced fae warriors uneasy.
“I’ll go first." Caedmon kept his sword in his hands, then gave her a pointed look. “Let me do the talking and follow my lead.”
“Of course.” When they both turned their incredulous looks her way, she scowled. “What? I can let others take the lead. I’ve been doing it ever since we stepped foot in Faerie.”
Instead of being appeased, they appeared even moresuspicious. She huffed and rolled her eyes, doing her best to hold back her snark. “If I promise, would that make you feel better?”
If their expressions were anything to go by, she failed miserably, and she grimaced. “Sorry, I will do my best. Promise.”
Atlas cupped her jaw, brushing his thumb lovingly over her cheek. “Don’t promise something that will put you in danger. Your best is good enough.”
She gave a jerky nod, her heart giving an extra beat at being the center of his attention. She used to hate it, assuming he was judging her every move.
She’d been so wrong!
All of his glowering and stomping had merely been him trying to keep his distance. He’d been fascinated by her, and Morgan would be forever grateful that she got to know the real man beneath. She kissed his palm before he could pull away, then smiled up at him when his umber eyes darkened with hunger.
He closed his fingers over the kiss and lowered his arm, growling under his breath. “We’ll finish this later.”
“I hope that’s a promise.” Morgan gave him a cheeky grin, then nearly swallowed her tongue when he gave a sharp nod.
“Count on it.” He sent her a sexy grin, his fangs flashing.
She couldn’t hold back a shiver as she imagined him nibbling along at her flesh and barely resisted the need to fan her face. Heat filled her cheeks when she saw Caedmon observing them so closely, a deep yearning in his eyes, and her stomach fluttered wildly at the thought of him watching them.
