Me and Rhune whip around to face our soul-brother, watching as his massive form ducks to fit through the doorway.
Dravik stands in all his eight-foot-something glory, the tips of his massive orange wings brushing the walls as he moves deeper into the room. “Why do you two look so suspicious?”
“Perhaps it’s just your paranoia,” I say.
Dravik stops, his scowl deepening. “No. You two are up to something.”
I press a hand to my heart, my expression twisting in pain. “You wound me, brother. Do you not trust us?”
“Not in the slightest,” he growls.
Rhune leans in, his voice lowering to a whisper. “I think he’s on to us…”
“What was that, Rhune?” Dravik asks.
“Nothing…” He swings his wide eyes to mine again. “He’s definitely onto us…”
“No.What would give you that idea?” I roll my eyes, fighting the urge to slap him upside the head.
Just then, the lump of blankets begins shifting, catching Dravik’s attention.
“What is that?”
“Nothing,” I snap. “Leave us be, Dravik.”
“Mmmph! Mmmph!”
Muffled shouts emanate from beneath the layers, causing Dravik’s eyes to flare bright. “Whatwasthat?” Dravik demands.
“Maybe we have shardmice?” I look at Rhune for confirmation.
“Yes! Shardmice!”
Dravik snarls. “Shardmice? How would theshardmiceget in here?”
I shrug. “Eesles, then?”
“Mhmph! Lemehouttahhere!”
Dravik’s expression turns thunderous. “That is no eesle, Nyx. Step aside.”
“I don’t think that’s the best idea?—”
“Out of my fucking way!” Dravik shouts, using some of his magic to push us aside. He storms toward the pile of furs, ripping the layers away in one powerful movement.
Willow stares up at the three of us, her mouth slightly parted and eyes filled with fear—or is that excitement?
“Hi…” She raises her hand, wiggling her slender, clawless fingers. “You must be Dravik…”
“What… is… she… still… doing… here?” Dravik turns to Rhune with a murderous expression, and I swear I can see steam billowing from his ears.
“She’smine.This is her home now,” Rhune says.
Dravik rolls his eyes. “I will not have this conversation again. There is no bond between you, and therefore, you have no claim to her. Not really.” He steps toward Rhune, his expression softening. “I know you’ve been lonely, Rhune. But this is not the way to get what you want. She’s notyours.”
“My soul claimed her! I know what I felt,” he snarls. “If you try to take her, I will have no choice but to fight you.”
Dravik balks. “You would attack me?”
