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Being around Tad, I had grown more accustomed to it, to the relationship they had with Earth’s magic. Different from mine, but still a connection. Tad was one of the oldest Druids, living centuries before I was even a thought. The older a Druid was, the more powerful they became. As the decades wore on, they absorbed more knowledge and magic.
This man was young, his power still a fledgling, though I could sense something about it that suggested he would someday be one of the greats.
He came in with a confident saunter, his eyes traveling from Iacob to me with a nonchalant response, then his attention snapped to Raven. His feet came to a stop, his expression staying impassive, but his body stiffened, his gaze locking on her, his nose flaring. A sensation in my gut knotted, producing light perspiration to cover the back of my neck.
“Dubthach?” Dubthach, in Gaelic, meant “dark-skinned,” sounding like Dew-aach. Iacob’s forehead wrinkled, picking up on his reaction to her, peering between the two. “This is Rowan and Scarlet.”
I reached out to shake his hand, wanting his attention off Raven. The Druid barely glanced at me, shaking my hand before he turned back to her. Raven’s hand automatically lifted to follow the greeting. His fingers skimmed hers when a crackling sound hissed around us. Cold air swept through the encampment, with flakes of snow, the spelled barriers suddenly disappearing.
Dubthach yanked back, his shoulders going back in defense, the warmth curling back around us as if someone closed a door to the chilly outside. I’d almost thought her goblin bracelet stole his magic for a moment, siphoning magic as it does every time I get near it, but it wasn’t possible. Druids weren’t affected by that type of magic, nor any metal. The instance happened so fast I almost believed I imagined it.
“What the hell was that?” Iacob peered around, a frown tipping his lips, his hand rubbing at his arms. “Is something wrong with the barriers?”
“No.” Dubthach peered at Raven in speculation while he spoke to Iacob. “I just strengthened them this morning.”
“Odd.” Iacob shook his head. “Well, as I was about to say, Rowan and Scarlet will be staying with us a few days. I thought you could get them something to eat and settle them in the healer’s pod for the night. It’s vacant right now, if I recall?”
He didn’t let up his focus on Raven, as if trying to decipher her, something about her narrowing his brows and lining his forehead.
“Dubthach?” Iacob said his name again, touching his arm. The Druid finally swung his head to Iacob.
“Yes.” He cleared his throat, his voice deep. His regard jumped to Raven again, his cheek twitching, his brow creased. “I will show you.”
“Dubthach is our healer, teacher, and spiritual guide here.” Iacob nodded for us to follow. “He will take care of whatever you need. We run mainly on the old fae hours here.” Which meant they slept most of the day and were awake at night. “But some will be up with breakfast if you are on daytime hours.” He started to walk away.
“Our weapons were taken...” I left off, knowing he understood my meaning.
“I’m sorry, we have a strict rule. No weapons in camp.” He lifted his hands. “We are a peaceful place with children. You can get them when you leave.”
Fuck. I hated being defenseless in a place I didn’t know or trust.
“Now, go get some rest.”
I nodded at Iacob, my hand going to Raven’s back, prodding her forward.
She reluctantly moved, her hands tugging at the cuffs of her sweater, pulling it around her hands as if she wanted to keep the bracelet hidden from view. Probably a wise thing; we didn’t need any questions or anyone to know she was weaker with it on.
Trailing after the Druid, I kept close to her, my hand still on her back. I noticed her body slightly trembling, her hair curtaining her face, hiding her expression, letting me take the lead. Glancing down, concern pinched my lips, wanting to ask her what was wrong, but I knew I needed to wait until we were alone.
Dubthach led us to a larger round dome tent. The walls were covered, but the ceiling was clear, letting the stars spark from above. Lamps flickered, illuminating the room in a soft glow. Several beds were lined up on the floor on one side, a curved wall of shelves with herbs and medicines lined the opposite, along with an exam table and even some dental equipment, which was probably for the humans living here.
“A washroom is through the door.” He pointed to a door next to the exam table. “And you can sleep here.” He motioned to the made-up mattresses on the floor. “If you are hungry—”
“No.” I shook my head, noting Raven moving to the farthest point in the room, away from the Druid. His eyes watched her with intense curiosity as if she was a bug to inspect. The need to get him out of here rushed out my response. “We’re fine. Just need some sleep.”
Dubthach eyed me, his head dipping, turning for the door. “Breakfast will be in the canteen starting at 7.” He observed us one more time, pausing on Raven, then stepped out.
Subtly watching her, I saw her shoulders lower, a breath leaving her lungs. “What the hell was that?”
Her head jerked toward me, noticing I was watching her with a frown. “What?” Her brows creased. “Nothing, except we are now in some Playboy bunny commune.”
“Raven,” I growled. “Don’t even pretend with me. What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
I wanted to tear my hair out.
“You were shaking. That Druid guy wouldn’t stop staring at you. Something weird was going on between you two.” I stomped up to her. “And don’t get me started on Playboy. The fairy was about to fuck you right there.”
