Page 94 of Us Defiant Few

“Khalani!” Winnie cried out, running as fast as her tired legs could muster. She met her halfway, and they collided in a whirl of tangled arms.

“They said you were dead,” Winnie whispered, her voice cracking, “But Winnie refused to believe it.”

“It would take a lot more to kill me,” she breathed, squeezing her tighter, the empty fragments of her heart becoming whole again.

Derek wrapped his arms around Khalani next, nearly lifting her off the ground.

“No more raids for you,” he exclaimed, his eyes swollen and tinged with red specks.

Takeshi hovered a few feet back, stiff and rigid as the three of them embraced.

Winnie broke away, her expression softening as she slowly shuffled to him. His throat bobbed at her approach, more uncomfortable than when a gun was pointed at his head.

“Thank you,” Winnie whispered.

“For what?” Takeshi frowned.

A twinkling smile curled on Winnie’s lips as she hugged his large frame. “For keeping her safe. For keeping you safe.”

Takeshi gazed down at Winnie like she might carve out his heart, but he apprehensively patted her back.

The knot in her throat tightened as Khalani silently watched the scene unfold. It may have been the barest of touches, but watching the two of them embrace meant more than all the victories she’d obtained.

“Good to see you back, man. I can put some ointment on those cuts, if you want.” Derek gestured to the few blood-crusted cuts on his face.

“No.”

Derek’s face fell, and Takeshi hesitated.

“What I mean is, I can do it myself. But I wouldn’t mind some ointment…thanks,” he added, swallowing.

A small smile curled her lips.

The Chief arrived with her maroon cloak floating behind her and Patreus flanking her, wearing his fighting gear.

“I won’t lie.” The Chief chuckled. “When the others said the Sinners took you, I thought you were both dead.”

“For a second, we thought the same thing.” Khalani brushed a trembling hand through her hair. She eyed the Chief with suspicion, remembering Ansel’s words. But guilt overcame her.

That man was pure evil and not to be trusted. The heads on the Sinners’ gates said as much.

“What did you see in their camp?” Patreus’s sharp gaze flickered between them. “Did you meet Ansel? What did he say? And why did they let you live?”

“Relax, Patreus.” The Chief raised her hand. “They’ve had a long night and look dead on their feet. Let them rest, and in the morning, we’ll get our answers.”

The lines on Patreus’s face deepened, clearly still wanting to interrogate them, but he scoffed and walked away, grumbling under his breath.

Khalani pushed up on her toes, peering around the Chief, searching for a few familiar faces.

“They’re not here,” the Chief said.

“Where are they?”

“When the two of you didn’t return, your four friends practically stormed our armory for weapons to go chasing after you. Ferren and a couple of my warriors went with them in the hopes of picking up your trail. I expect they’ll be back in a few hours.”

She clenched her jaw to keep from throwing curses at the moon.

What were they thinking, risking themselves like that?