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.Ever since Berk had drugged Larem,she ate only a little and then waited to see if she felt ill.So far, the bland soup had had no side effects.Maybe it was silly to even worry about someone trying to drug her or poison her.She would soon bedead; what did it matter how?Larem stirred and then picked up his tray.All hope for sleep gone, she did the same.After a fewspoonfuls she started to set the tray back down on the floor, planning on shoving it back out of hercell. Eat more of that.You need to keep up your strength. Larem s unexpected remark startled her.She set the tray beside her on the cot again. Why do youcare if I eat or not? Larem kept his eyes on the far wall. Worrying about you is an old habit. I can take care of myself. Even if it hurt to feel so alone.Some of the anger drained out of Larem s expression, to be replaced with& sadness? Or was itregret? I won t disagree with that.No matter what has happened in your life the loss of yourparents, the loss of your brother, and now the loss of all that you ve worked for you still march on,head held high. He slowly turned to face her. Have you ever allowed yourself to really need someone, Lusahn? Ordoubted yourself? If so, I ve never seen it.It makes it hard for ordinary men to keep up with you. He sounded curious rather than angry, but his words still cut through her.Was she so cold? Of courseshe had doubts and fears; who didn t? And she had needed someone, but hadn t found him in thisworld. I ve had doubts, Larem.Never about the loyalty of you or my Blade, but about the Guild and howthings are done.From what I ve seen here, I was right. Especially the Guildmaster s greedymadness. I needed my brother, but he left our world because of those same doubts.I needed myparents, but they died.And I need Cullen Finley. If Larem couldn t deal with that truth, too bad. You still feel that way after he deserted you, leaving you here to die? Larem sounded more like hisold self, protective of her. Cullen didn t desert me.We were taking the children to the safety and light of his world, and one ofus had to hold off your attack long enough for them to escape.I could do nothing for them in Cullen sworld, but he could.It was the right decision. Will he come back for you? Lusahn shrugged and looked around at the thick stone walls that surrounded them. Thanks to you, wedidn t have the time to plan that far ahead.I won t hold it against him if he doesn t.It is enough that hesaved my children. Why would he do that, when he is one of the butchers who slaughters our people? Lusahn shot him a surprised look. I remember Cullen from when we fought our way back to the barrier that time the four of us gottrapped on the human side.Even then, you acted strangely about him.You could have killed him thenand didn t. He and his friend allowed us to return to our world, Larem.That is hardly the mark of a crazedkiller.If our world was being attacked every time the barrier failed, we would kill those who threatenus.They are warriors, just as we are. Were, Lusahn.We are but shadows that will soon fade into darkness. Then he slumped over on hiscot, facing the wall, and pretended to sleep.She understood his despair, but to give in to it meant that the Guildmaster and Joq s accomplices hadwon.For that reason alone, she nurtured the small hope that Cullen would indeed come after her.Buteven if he didn t, she wouldn t have died for nothing.Her children stood a chance of thriving in thelight.Her brother would know she d forgiven him.And the memory of Cullen s love would carry her through whatever lay ahead. Why can t we have some light? Trahern complained. I m tired of stepping on the back of yourheels. The passage was so dark that if they didn t stay close, it would be easy to get lost.They all hadbetter-than-normal human night vision, but Barak had them all beat.He marched ahead as if they weretaking a stroll in broad daylight instead of inky darkness.Barak answered, The Guardians and Blades who patrol these caverns do not generally use lights.Ifthey do, they use one of the blue stones, which we don t have.If we want to blend in, we mustfunction as they do. Finley, you re going to owe me big time for every damn bruise I get, Trahern grumbled.Cullen grinned. Maybe Brenna will kiss your boo-boos and make them all better when we gethome. Shut up, Cullen. Trahern cursed again when he bumped into the wall as the tunnel made a sharpturn.What were they walking into? Were Larem and his buddies lurking in the darkness up ahead, orwaiting for Cullen to charge out of the cave?This whole expedition could turn into one major cluster fuck.But if the other three decided they wereon a fool s mission and turned back, he would go on alone. We need to stop. Barak s whisper was barely a breath of air as he came to an abrupt halt.All of them heard the voices coming toward them, and the approaching Blade were carrying light withthem, as well.Someone else had the gift for the blue stones. We should keep moving, but let me do any talking. Barak started forward again.Well, duh
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