“No.” Alek’s hold tightened on Solenne. “I can’t leave just yet.”
“Then carry her.”
“You misunderstand. I cannot leave the circle. Not yet. It’s not safe. The beast is still out there.” He could not say why the stones were safer than heading toward the house, but he felt stronger there. Recharged. He wished he could better explain the compulsion, but they had to stay where they were until dawn broke.
“So you intend to keep my sister here, exposed to the elements while injured, passed out and wearing rags?”
“And whose fault is that?” Alek snapped, angered by Luis’ condescending tone. “Letting her wander alone at night. Where were you? When she screamed for help? Cried out in pain?”
Color drained from the young man’s face. “I told her I would join her if she waited, then we received wor
