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I stepped around a pile of stones, which probably marked someone's grave.
I couldn't say Ihadn'tsensed that in her. Most people had their own agenda. That didn't necessarily mean they were a threat. It didn't mean they weren't either, but I trusted my instincts.
"She kept most of her thoughts to herself," I said, my tone neutral. "She was anxious, but determined to appear calm. Her suitcase was searched and nothing hazardous was found. Unless you consider dried flowers hazardous." My eyes flicked toward the Keeper. "She gave me no reason to presume she posed a risk to you."
"Apart from the Covener and his games," Dex pointed out. He seemed to refer to something in particular, but his emotions were closely in check.
"Apart from him." I averted my gaze. I could have delved deeper, to seek out Dex's true thoughts. That always felt like a violation, a line I wouldn't step across unless ordered by Dex or the Alpha himself.
"You didn't search her," Dex stated.
If I didn't know him well, I would think he was amused, as though we talked about nothing important. However, I noted the tightness around his mouth, the shrewd look in his eyes, the snap of anger held tightly in check. He was pissed.
Again, I hesitated. "For that, I should probably be fed to the sand dragon." Perhaps I had trusted my instincts too much, or failed to see past a pretty face. And a body I would enjoy writhing underneath me. I bet she was loud when she moaned.
I mentally cleared my throat and focused.
"However, the blade was ceremonial. Her only goal was to keep from becoming your bed slave." I was teasing now, but no one but Dex would know it.
"She could do worse," Dex said dryly.
"I believe that was also what she was trying to avoid," I said. "Being sent back to face worse."
From what I knew of witches, it was unusual, even for them, to give away one of their own. What was it about her that made them try? She had a smart mouth, but that wasn't unusual for witches or shifters.
"We're getting close." My inner wolf paced inside me, eager to be let loose.
The wind shifted. It blew a fine mist of sand into the air. There, in the breeze, was something else. Part earthy smell, part prickling of instincts.
My blood raced. I held up a hand. The entire party fell into two lines behind us.
I didn't need to look back to see. I sensed each individual presence, coiled tight, nerves jangling, ready.
I felt Dex's excitement, a thrill of both fear and exhilaration. I had to force it aside to keep it from swamping my own emotions. I breathed a hot, dry breath through my nose and calmed my mind and racing heart.
No one moved. No one spoke. The only sound was the wind and squeak of boots on the dune.
As one, we waited.
Finally, I turned my face toward Dex and nodded. One eye was on the Keeper, but the other remained on the sand.
"I see where to go."
Dex nodded. "Very well." Without hesitation, he gestured to the men behind him.
In near silence, the hunting party trudged toward the top of the dune. Each walked in the footprints of the man in front, although some stepped closer to my tracks. Dex was the Keeper, but no one questioned me while hunting. My instincts had kept us alive more times than anyone cared to count.
The trek up the sand was slow going. With each step, I sank almost to my ankles before I pulled myself free and took the next.
"Why do they have to live out here?" Dex grumbled good naturedly.
"What, sand dragons?" I asked. The side of my mouth drew back. "Hades only knows. Would you prefer garden dragons?" I slid back half a step. Perhaps Dex had a point, but the terrain was a part of the challenge.
Dex chuckled and threw his arms out to steady himself when he too slid. "Actually yes, depending on their size."
I smirked. "Hunting those would be no fun." I pictured myself pulling back vines in search of snapping teeth and talons the colour of bark.
"No, but they'd smell pretty." Dex grinned.
