The session ended early that day when Jordan did not return from the other side. The four high priests and their mates lived here in the sacred area. They were the only ones permitted. There were no positions on Crais of higher reverence than theirs. All were voted in by all inhabitants of the tribes, and it was a position for life. They were only replaced after the death of one of the four.
Below them in ranking was the ruling panel of elders from each tribe. Fury had always had great respect for how this was decided; it was simply the five oldest living tribespeople. Regardless of what family you were from, respect was paid to those with life experience. And anything that could not be resolved internally was brought to the high priests. They were also the ones to perform mating ceremonies, control the prayers to the sun gods and run these annual meet-ups. So with them sequestered on the other side there would be no further session that day.
Fury was with her tribe. They’d just finished their second meal and her restless energy was in overdrive. She paced in front of her sleep chamber. The others who were in the same area must have been wondering what was wrong with her. She had to step in and out of the doorway as different tribe members ventured in and out of their room, taking advantage of the early session. This was a prime time to find a mate, so socializing was high on their priority list. Not Fury’s, though.
“We cannot sit here and wait for those nomads to pick us off one by one.” Angry words spilled from her lips. “We have to act.”
She’d known of the abductions before, but never had it struck her so deeply. And she felt betrayed by Dune, although she had no proof that he was involved. Considering her tribe had never lost anyone, he probably wasn’t. But he was a nomad.
“What do you suggest we do?” Tasha said. After Luiz, Tasha was Fury’s next closest friend. “How can we save them? You’re from the nomads. Do you know anything which might give us an advantage?”
“I wish,” Fury bit out. “The only thing my half-nomad status has given me is white hair and an increased weakness in the sun.”
A visiting female leaned forward to whisper, “I heard that Jordan knows which of the caves the nomads’ leader uses around here. And he believed this was where the women were being held.”
“What?” Fury almost shrieked. “Why hasn’t he done anything to find them then?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, but I did manage to overhear the discussion about the location.”
“Tell me,” Fury demanded, before softening her approach. “Please, I need to be able to do something.”
“You can’t walk in the suns, Fury, even during the eclipse. Don’t kill yourself on a fool’s errand.” Tasha spoke to her again.
“I’ll use the Craisly leaf. Now tell me.”
No one questioned Fury again, or asked how she would procure the most precious and revered plant on Crais. Craisly possessed a large leaf that worked as a partial barrier against the suns.
Instead they all gathered close, listening as the female described the large mountains to the south of them. Fury knew exactly where they were. She’d made a point throughout her life to closely study the hand-painted maps of Crais on the underground walls.
And at the next suns’ eclipse she was going after the nomads.
Forget Dune and his cryptic warnings; she was done with hiding. She would use her flame and if they had hurt the tribeswomen she would destroy them. Old Fury was gone, the one who hid and ran from life.
She knew the reason for her flames: she was the protector.
Chapter 2
Abigail
The world was a little hazy but I didn’t care. I lay back on the warm sand, burying my toes in deep and letting the heat soak into my bones.
“I enjoy seeing you all relaxed and drowsy, Red.”
I lifted my head, blood-red curls flying around me. A smile spread across my face as I scanned the bare chest of my mate. His broad shoulders and heavily muscled arms gave me that happy, tingly feeling.
“I enjoy seeing you all half-naked and sexy.”
I practically purred at Brace, which gave me a moment’s pause. I didn’t usually speak like that. That thought was forgotten, though, as he gently stroked my face, before capturing my chin in his hand.
“I need you to remember this moment, Abigail, remember how it felt and the bond between us.” Uh-oh, he’d used my full name. “You will need a moment to get you through.”
Panic laced my veins, but in a slow sluggish movement. “What are you talking about?”
The haziness which had been coating our surroundings started to lift. I instinctively knew that was bad.
“What’s happening, Brace?” I had to yell into the wind which was picking up around me.