Page 93 of Wretched Thorns

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Bodie laid two more things on the table.

“Mel’s at the rest stop south of Lacombe with the vehicles,” he said. “Two unmarked. Med kit in each. She’ll move ahead and stage on the parish road that comes in from the north side of the property. We come in from there. The plantation’s main road is watched.”

“By who.”

“I don’t know. The shell company has men. I don’t know how many. Mel will read it before we get there.”

Callum nodded.

Eli had not said anything.

Callum turned his head.

Eli’s hand was flat against the top of the table now. His right hand. The working hand.

He was sitting very still.

“I can’t go,” he said.

Nobody spoke.

“I am paying the price for my efforts and will only be a liability.”

His eyes moved to Callum. Then Jasper. Then back to Callum.

“I can hang out in the grove and hold the trail-sigil from there.”

The bond had been carrying Eli’s depletion for hours. Callum had felt it all morning. Jasper had felt it. Rowena had taken one look at him when she walked into the kitchen at first light and had known immediately. Even Dex, half-hidden in the back hall, had clocked it without a word.

Callum studied him for a long second.

“You sure you can maintain it alone?”

“Yes.”

“Can you defend yourself if something breaches the line?”

A pause.

“Yes.”

Callum’s eyes narrowed slightly at that answer. Not because he believed it. Because Eli had chosen to defend instead of fight.

Rowena turned from the stove.

“How bad?”

Eli flexed the fingers of his right hand once against the cypress. Careful. Controlled.

“I burned deeper than I intended.”

“Then I stay.” Rowena stated immediately. “Wolf at the gate. If anyone moves against this property tonight, I’ll hold the line.”

“You won’t be alone,” Celie reminded her.

Rowena reached out and took her friend by the hand.