Page 66 of Guardian of Shadows
“Why are you sitting on the ground?”
Elle shielded her eyes from the sun as she looked up at him. “Just felt like it, I guess.”
Anthony lowered himself to sit next to her and pulled her against his side. “Did he say anything?”
“No. He tossed those bags down and disappeared.”
“I’m sure he’s fine. He probably went back for more of his—” The portal whooshed, and Nekoma appeared, pulling a trunk behind him.
“Need some help?” Anthony offered.
“If you would, please.”
Anthony kissed Elle’s temple before climbing to his feet. “What’s all this?”
“Instead of traveling back and forth, I thought it best to bring most of my things at once. The bags are filled with my clothes, and the trunk contains tools and supplies.”
The trunk was heavy, but Anthony lifted it easily. “Want this in the barn?”
“Preferably.” Nekoma grabbed the bags and gestured for Elle to follow.
“Thank you for the new bow,” Elle told her brother.
“You’re most welcome. How did the string work out?”
“It’s amazing. My arrows flew faster.”
“Good. I have some wax for the string. I’ll show you how to use it later.”
“You should have seen her. Elle put on a show, then she showed the other females how to shoot. They’ve had a fun morning.”
Anthony waited for Nekoma to open the barn door, then carried the trunk inside. Nekoma directed him to place it beside the work bench. After setting his bags down, the fae opened the trunk, pulling out a myriad of satchels and bottles.
“What’s all this?” Anthony asked.
Elle picked up one of the satchels, pulled the leather apart, and sniffed. She jerked back, and Nekoma laughed. “Sorry, I should have warned you.”
“It smells like fímndínúb.”
“That’s because it is. A patch of it grows not far from my mother’s house, and she harvests it, then grinds it into powder.”
“What’s fondue?” Anthony asked. At least that’s what it sounded like to him.
“It’s a rare plant than can cause paralysis when mixed with sap from an auderberry tree. Nekoma—”
“Did any of the other females learn to shoot well enough to hit a target from twenty marcón away?”
Elle pulled the strings on the pouch, closing it. “All of them did. What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking we give Grevolus a taste of his own medicine. I have devised a plan. Shall we go inside and discuss it?”
Nekoma hoisted the two duffels, and the trio walked back to the house. Once inside, he greeted everyone. He smiled at Luna, and the witch dropped her glass. Nekoma stepped forward as if he were going to clean it up, but Elle waved her hand over the mess, taking care of the glass shards and liquid. Nekoma continued through the house and upstairs to drop off his bags, and Luna watched him go.
Carleigh bounced over to her cousin, pressing her finger under Luna’s jaw to close her mouth. “It’s not like you haven’t met him.”
Luna smacked her hand away before fanning herself. “I know, but Holy goddess, that smile. I thought Thran was fine.”
Thran, taking exception, fussed, “I am more than just fine. I am a royal guardian.”
