Enough of this! Chrystal spat in her mind. Her eyes shot open, and she held the large shifter’s gaze, nodding at him.
He turned, and she followed. The other two brought up the rear.
“How did you know I was here?” she asked as they headed back the way she had come, all the way to the main stronghold.
“We didn’t,” Linkel replied steadily.
“Then how did you…”
“Father sent word through the guards. Castian split us up, told us where to search.”
She stared up at him. “Oh,” she breathed, glancing away as the hardening heart felt an unwanted pinch at her anger.
He glanced down at her. “Castian is very protective of those he brings under our shelter. Some of us try to help him carry his burdens,” he said neutrally.
“Us?”
“Those of us you saw that day, by the river. And a few others you hav
