Elira stepped forward like she’d been stung. “You’re splitting us up now?”
“We don’t have a choice,” Thorne replied.
I shifted in the saddle. My side burned, and my arm was numb, but I didn’t let it show. Not much, anyway.
Phoenix came up, magic already stirring around his hands. “Let me patch you up before you ride—”
“No,” I said.
He frowned. “Slade, come on. You’re barely—”
“I said no.” My voice wasn’t loud. Just solid. “You’ll need everything you’ve got. For what’s ahead.”
His mouth worked, but he didn’t argue.
Elira turned on Leo. “You’re dragging me away from this? I’m not some damsel in distress here.”
Leo just looked at her. Calm.
“We all know you’re a badass, angel. But it’s not safe out here. The sentinels will be here soon to clean up, and we’ll just be in the way if we stay.”
“I can still fight.” She stepped forward. “I could come with you…”
Thorne and Phoenix both shook their heads before she could finish. “No,” Phoenix said.
“Absolutely not,” added Thorne.
“You’re exhausted. And you’re barely trained.” I grumbled.
“Pretty sure I just saved your ass out there, you big lug,” she snapped back.
I hid a smirk. But the truth was, I didn’t want her going either.
“Come back with me,” I said quietly.
Her head snapped toward me, and I felt the weight of her stare. I ignored the looks the others exchanged behind me.
I didn’t explain. Didn’t know how to say it without sounding like I cared more than I should.
She stared at me like she was searching for something.
Thorne didn’t wait. “Let’s go,” he told Phoenix. “We’ll catch their trail before it goes cold.”
Leo glanced at me, then at Elira. “You good to ride?”
I nodded once. That was enough.
We mounted up in silence. Elira didn’t speak. Didn’t look at me. But her knuckles were white on the reins.
As Leo led us out, I caught her eye just once.
She was furious.
Good.
Chapter17
Elira
