Cade 30

Rainn watched the trio on the trail from the air. She saw Cade’s upturned face and knew he was aware of her presence as soon as she was within striking distance.

She smiled inside the small bill of the colorful bird she mimicked. Yes, his Wardex gift was strong. It was just as well, he would need every bit of it in the coming battle.

Mindful of the war hound, she glided between the riders to an area ahead on the trail and shifted to human form.

The trio watched the bright red bird with green blue breast feathers glide down the path and land. They reigned in the horses just as the air shimmered and produced the petite red head. Kyna smiled.

“To me!” Cade commanded Razar who was already stalking the petite shifter.

Dirk whistled low. “She is beautiful. I did not know the shifting could be so fast. Can you imagine battling hundreds of those?”

Cade grimaced. “I have.”

Dirk whistled again.

Kyna smiled and leaned forward in her saddle. “Good morrow Rainn.”

Rainn inclined her head. “Good morrow Kyna Wardex.”

“You have no horse,” Kyna tilted her head.

“How did you leave the Alai?” Cade demanded.

Dirk’s saddle leather creaked as he adjusted in his seat.

Small perfect white teeth flashed in more a snarl than smile. “I left them all alive.”

Cade scowled. “That was not my question.”

“It is not your place to question me Wardex,” Rainn quipped.

Dirk’s dark brows rose and his mouth twitched.

Cade nudged Mammoth a few steps closer to Rainn his voice deceptively soft. “It is not only my place shifter, it is my duty. Now answer. How did you leave the Alai?”

“You do not trust me,” Rainn scowled. “No matter the reply you will consider it suspect.”

Cade nodded. “Perhaps. But an answer will spare your life. Silence will condemn it.”

“We travel a great distance together Wardex, best we reason this out.” Rainn growled. “I will take no orders from you. I will tell you only what I wish and not a word more.” She pointed at Razar who was at that moment edging toward her with teeth bared. “If that hound so much as lunges for me again, his life is forfeit.”

Kyna inhaled sharply and looked at Dirk . He looked bored at first glance, but his hands were tense on the reigns and his eyes never left the shifter.

Rainn continued despite Cade’s terrible smile.

“You are part of our prophecy and so have nothing to fear from me,” she said and smiled. “Yet.”

Cade snorted. “I fear no shifter.”

“That is as you will,” Rainn continued. “Fear is not necessary for death.”

“Are we to stay here trading death threats all day?” Kyna asked. “I thought us a schedule to keep. Please Rainn answer his question. My brother is relentless.”

Rainn looked from the petite blond up to a still immovable Cade. “Very well. I left the Alai before first light. I shifted into the bird you saw here and flew west. I scouted the path, which is clear, and circled back after finding an adequate place to camp tonight.”

“Thank you Rainn,” Kyna said nudging her horse the few steps toward Mammoth’s side. “You see Cade. She is willing to work with us. I don’t think I can stomach the long journey with constant bickering.”

“I do not bicker,” Cade said and prodded Mammoth forward. Rainn was forced to jump off the path into the underbrush to keep from being trod on by the massive stallion. Razar growled low in his throat when passing as he kept pace with Cade.

Rainn gave him a scowl.

Dirk followed behind on Sarsus giving Rainn a slight nod as he passed.

Kyna reached down a hand toward Rainn. “Would you ride with me Rainn?”

Rainn grabbed the small hand and swung up behind Kyna. Her blue skirts becoming breeches on the upswing. “I thank you Kyna Wardex for your consideration. I have many questions.”