Primal Heat 05 - Darkness Reborn

patterned blankets.
    She draped one over Ryland's shoulders, and Sarah was surprised to see the surly warrior accept it silently, giving Nonny a nod of appreciation. Nonny wrapped one over Kane, who grudgingly rolled off Sarah, and wrapped it around her instead, pulling her tight into his arms.
    The blanket was warm, encasing Sarah like a cocoon. She felt it tuck itself around her, a protective energy that tingled through her skin, easing the tightness in her chest. They were the same blankets that Nonny had wrapped around her so many times growing up, the ones that Nonny had kept on her for months and months after the attack.
    Kane ran his hand over her arm, and squeezed lightly on the brands. She looked at her arm and saw another line had joined the others. The handle of his flail was done, and one of the spiked balls was outlined. Another stage had been completed, tightening the bond. When? What had they done? Fear rippled through her at the realization that he was drawing her more and more tightly under his spell, like Mason had.
    When I dove over the pit to save you, Kane said, his voice low and satisfied in her mind. I risked my life to save yours, so that's my half of the death stage.
    Sarah swallowed, her throat tightening as she remembered how he'd launched himself into the air after her. At that point, he couldn't even teleport, and he had no way out once he was airborne, but he'd done it anyway, willing to risk his own life for the chance of being able to save hers. And it had worked. Thank you.
    He pressed his lips to her arm. There can be no other path but for us to bond and for me to protect you.
    Sarah watched his face, but she saw no danger in it. There was none of the monster that he'd unleashed to break Luc's hold on him. He just seemed like Kane, and she relaxed, suddenly realizing how exhausted she felt. For the moment, she was safe in his arms.
    Nonny eyed Kane, but she made no comment as she draped another blanket around his shoulders. Kane shuddered as she wrapped it around him, and Sarah knew he was feeling the same impact as she did from the blankets. "They're special wool," Sarah explained.
    "I can tell." Kane tugged the blanket around his shoulders, wrapping his arms around Sarah, and pulling her back against his chest more securely.
    Nonny looked around the room, one more blanket dangling from her hand. "Where's my young stallion?"
    Sarah felt the wave of grief from Ryland and Kane, and her own chest tightened. No one spoke, and Nonny's face suddenly became old. "My dear boy," she said quietly as she turned away and set the blanket on the table.
    She picked up a candle from the window sill and set it on the floor between Ryland and Kane. Then she held her palm over it and whispered a prayer. A light breeze drifted over Sarah's cheeks, and then a small flame flared to life, flickering gently in the dimly lit cabin. "May Thano's spirit be at peace," Nonny said.
    Kane made a sound of pain, and he held out his hand to the flame. "May Thano's spirit be at peace," he said gruffly.
    "Fuck that." Ryland lashed out with his foot, knocking over the candle. "It's not over until I see his body." He lurched to his feet. "I'm going outside."
    "No." Nonny rose off her haunches, blocking Ryland's exit. "It's not dawn yet. It is not time. Now, you rest. During the day, you plan. Tomorrow night, you go out. It is then that you will get your reprisal."
    Ryland's eyes flashed, and his lip curled in a snarl. "Oh, trust me, you don't need to worry. I'm not going to get myself killed. The bastard can't get that lucky. Tomorrow, he fucking dies." Then he slammed his heel down on the candle, crushing the flame, and stalked out the front door, slamming it behind him.
    Nonny sat down heavily on a chair, and peered at Sarah and Kane. Sarah felt the weight of her grandmother's worry in the hunch of the old woman's shoulders and the lines around her mouth. "Bad night," Nonny observed. "Did anything worthwhile occur?"
    "We found the source," Sarah said, leaning her head back against Kane's shoulder, needing to feel his strength around her. She knew her body was drained and depleted, and it felt good to be able to let Kane support her. "We found the leader."
    Anticipation gleamed in Nonny's eyes, and excitement danced across her features. "You found him? He showed himself to you?"
    "Yes. He said his name was Luc Acostos, and that he needed a replacement."
    "Luc Acostos?" Recognition flashed across Nonny's face, and then