ut feel a sense of unease. The villagers seemed to be watching h

laced a reassuring hand on her arm. "Don't

eeling of unease. She was a warrior, af

r with a mixture of awe and fear. She realized that they must know who she

ed with a warm fire. The hall was filled with rows of tables and chai

"That's where I sit," he sai

ng with questions. What was Thane's

from the shadows. A tall, imposing man

aid, his voice dripping with mali

n, her senses on high alert. Wh

s flashing with anger. "Asher,

w, his smile growing wider. "Oh, I

etween them grew, Kaira realized that she was in grave danger. She was trap

d once loved - seemed to b

smile growing wider as he took in her reaction. T

to leave her alon

mile never wavering. "Oh, I'm

with possibilities. What was Asher's ga

s gaze burning with intensity. "Ashe

with amusement. "I'm just trying t

temper rising to the surface. "I do

es never leaving hers. "Oh, I th

es flashing with anger. "Ashe

ever wavering. "Fine, fine," he sai

run down her spine. There was something about Asher t

ith concern. "I'm sorry about that," h

xed on Asher's retreating back.

ight words. "Asher is a... complicated individual," he said finally. "He's

h possibilities. What secrets was Thane hi

en them growing thicker by the minute,

f searching for something. Kaira felt a shi

said, his voice low and urgent. "Som

felt a surge of curiosity. What co

sked, her voice bar

rching for the right words. "It's about your past," he sai

ed, her mind racing

king about," Kaira said, tryi

h intensity. "Don't lie to me, Kaira," he said. "I

surge of fear. "What do you want from me?"

ng for something. "I want to help you," he said. "I

ing with possibilities. What did Th

p me?" Kaira asked, her vo

intensity. "Because I care about you, Kaira," he sa

elt a surge of emotion. Could it be t

ing thicker by the minute, Kaira knew that she had

feelings that still lingered between them.

sign of deception. But all she saw was sincerity, a

st you," Kaira said, her v

ity. "I know I don't deserve your trust," he said. "But I'm

sibilities. Could she really trust Thane?

aira felt a presence behind her. She turned

nd piercing green eyes. She was dressed in a flowing white g

ice low and soothing. "I see you're

racing with questions. Who was t

f on his face. "Kaira, this is Eira Sh

ing. "I'm more than just a friend," she said. "

elt a surge of unease. What did Eira

hat she had to be careful. She was trapped in a village f

h a mysterious woman who seemed to know mo