Page 10 of Dermot

The whispers stopped, and Bastien frowned. He looked over Celeste’s head to see that Rowan was coming back toward the house, a woman walking next to him. She was looking around with wide eyes, almost as if she expected people to try to stop her. She wasn’t in great shape, although from what Bastien could see, it wouldn’t leave any lasting consequences. The woman was bruised and scared, but she’d be fine unless she had internal bleeding, and she seemed okay. Of course, Bastien wasn’t an expert. He was sure the woman would be examined by a capable Vila who would take care of her if needed.

“Oh,” Celeste said, letting go of Bastien’s arm. “That poor woman.”

She was moving before Bastien could caution her. She reached the gate just as Rowan and the woman did, too. They weren’t alone. Tamsin and Dermot were there, too, and Bastien hesitated, wondering what his mate would do. He wasn’t surprised when Dermot firmly looked away, although it did hurt a little. The way Dermot was behaving didn’t bode well.

That wasn’t something Bastien could worry about now, though. His attention went back to his sister, who was hovering near the woman.

“What happened?” Celeste asked.

“This is Rose,” Rowan explained. “She was trying to reach the village when she was attacked.”

Celeste looked like she was about to drag the woman into a hug, but Dermot stepped forward as if to stop her. Celeste blinked at him, then took a step back.

Bastien wasn’t sure what was going on, but he didn’t like it. He glared at Dermot, who glared right back. The pain Bastien had been feeling was gone. Now, he was a little pissed at his mate.

What was Dermot thinking? Did he really believe that Celeste was a danger to this woman? Celeste had every reason to want to help her. She’d been mistreated by a Kudlak, too. In fact, she’d been mistreated by one for years. She knew something about what the woman was feeling, and she could probably help.

That was, if Dermot allowed her close.

“Rose is going to stay with us,” Dermot said.

Bastien frowned. Was it that easy for Dermot to accept Rose? Dermot clearly didn’t trust Celeste, and while Bastien understood why, he couldn’t help but wonder how hard Dermot was actually trying. It didn’t seem like he was trying at all, although Bastien had been willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Considering his sister’s history, it made sense.

But they didn’t know anything about Rose. They didn’t know if maybe she also had a Kudlak mate out there somewhere. She might be a spy. Bastien didn’t think refusing her access to the village would be the best decision, but he felt like maybe people were a little too trusting. Dermot especially seemed to be that way, which didn’t make sense considering how little he trusted Bastien, his own mate.

“Thank you,” Rose said.

“If you need anything, just let me know,” Celeste told her. “I haven’t been here long, but everyone has been very nice. You can build a home here.”

Rose’s smile was trembling, but it was a smile, and Celeste latched onto it. She hooked her arm around Rose’s, and when Dermot tried stepping forward, probably to separate them, Bastien did the same. He glared at his mate, and Dermot glared right back.

“Why don’t we go inside?” Rowan suggested, gesturing at the women to follow him. Bastien and Dermot didn’t. They stayed out there, watching each other until everyone was inside.

“You trust her,” Bastien said.

“Who, Rose? She’s a Vila. She’s been on the run for a while, and she almost got killed reaching the village. She deserves to be allowed in.”

“I never said she didn’t. I just find it odd that you already trust her. You don’t know her. She could be a spy.”

Dermot snorted. “Why would she be? You saw what those Kudlak did to her. I’m sure it was much worse than what we can see, too. Besides, Rowan and Clay need more Vila.”

“My sister’s one.”

“Your sister doesn’t count.”

“Why? Because her mate is a Kudlak? Celeste had no say in that. Neither did your friend, Tamsin.”

Dermot crossed his arms over his chest. He was scowling, and he was beautiful, but Bastien still wanted to strangle him. “They had the choice not to bond with their mates.”

“Is that what you think they should’ve done? Not bond with their mates? Is that what you’re doing right now?”

Dermot swallowed loudly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You seem to think it’s easy for a Krsnik or a Vila to ignore their mate and walk away, and for them not to bond and leave their mate behind. Is that what you’re doing with me, then? You’re unhappy with me being your mate, and you’ve decided you want nothing to do with me?”

“We’re not talking about us right now. We’re talking about Rose, and she hasn’t done anything that would show me she can’t be trusted.”

“She won’t, not if she’s a spy.”