Chapter 23: Akton
“You should have stayed.”
Even with his eyes shut, Akton could tell Lochlann was frowning. He’d slept as a weasel the entire night, curled in the hay with Lochlann on one side of him, Talfryn the other, but still felt unwell. Nausea gripped him when he walked, so he kept his eyes shut and let his various abilities—hearing, smell, sensing through the ground—guide him properly. Talfryn carried his pack for now.
“I couldn’t let you go off alone,” said Arvi. Talfryn had redressed their cut this morning, but it was clear they’d still have it for a while. Even Akton’s cracked ribs and harsh burn were much better today, and he could see why Lochlann was upset. Akton wouldn’t want any of his non-shifter siblings to be here with him now.
“Yes, you could. You don’t need to watc
