Blind Warrior (The Weavers Circle 3)

“You constantly live in danger.”

Grey shrugged. “There’s a spell that keeps them off the property.”

“Yet you said someone attacked you guys here.”

“They can do something to humans. Possess them or enthrall them, we’re not sure how it works. But we didn’t kill the guy who attacked us—just had him arrested.”

“For something he had no control over.”

“Yeah, that part sucks.” Grey wondered if Cort realized they were still holding hands. Damn, it felt nice. Grey tightened his fingers. “I should have never agreed to let you come here.”

“But you thought this place was safe.”

“Yeah, and I never thought you’d go with us to get one of the last two Weavers.”

“There’s only one left?”

Grey nodded. “The Air Weaver is the only one who hasn’t shown up. I’m sure Calder is getting an earful right now.”

“Kind of like I am.”

“Yeah, and now that the pestilents saw you, you’ll have to stay here.”

“What, now?” Complete shock laced Cort’s voice as he jerked.

“You can’t just go back home. They’ll come after you, and you could be sleeping or something. Not that you could fight them off if you weren’t.”

Cort laughed. “Hey, I’m tougher than I sound.”

“Not against these things, and they don’t give a shit about you. Hell, they would probably enthrall you and send you in here to kill me.”

“Shit.” Cort pulled his hand free and stood up. “Shit,” he repeated, his voice and footsteps telling Grey that he’d started pacing again.

Feet pounding on the stairs filled the small apartment before someone banged on the door. “Grey!” Clay yelled, voice muffled by the door.

He didn’t even wait for them to answer and came inside the apartment. “Did you tell him everything?” Clay asked.

Grey stood up, fists clenched at his sides. “What choice did I have? He saw a lot on that beach.”

“I know, but did you tell him he’s now in danger and has to stay here?”

“Just got around to that part.”

Cort cleared his throat. “I don’t really see why that’s necessary. Plus, I can’t just stay here. I have other clients I see.”

“You’ll have to take an emergency leave of absence.” Clay came farther into the room, stopping right in front of Grey. “If you leave, you will die.”

“I can’t just call in and give them some excuse—”

“Family emergency, I don’t care. But you have no choice. These things are going to up their game now that we have the Water Weaver. You’re in danger now. I’m sorry, but it is what it is.”

“I don’t have to agree with any of this, you know.” Anger deepened Cort’s voice.

Grey turned that direction. “No, you don’t, but I’d like for you to stay here. Dane is nearly done with one of the rooms, so you can stay in the main house. Surely, you can claim some family emergency and get your clients covered. I know you care about them.”

“That’s just it. I care about them. Like I care about you and now I know you need someone to watch out for you more than most.”

“Then stay here,” Clay said. “Watch over him. You can do that much better from here.”

“Please, Cort. I’m serious. They will kill you. They will turn you against us, and you will try to kill us. I don’t want you to get hurt. It would destroy me.”

Cort sighed loudly and fell silent for several seconds as if turning over Grey’s and Clay’s words. “I’ll have to go to my place, get some things,” Cort finally agreed in a low voice. He was clearly not happy about this decision.

Grey tightened his fists at the thought of Cort being out there in danger. “Lucien or Baer can go with you.”

“Lucien has already offered to take you,” Clay said. “We really do need to be careful at this point. I’m going back to the house now, but don’t leave without him. Just come and get him when you’re ready to go.”

Grey heard Clay leave, the door slamming behind him.

“He’s rather bossy, isn’t he?” Cort asked.

Grey had to smile at that. “He’s had to be. He took on leading our group, but he’s smart and knows what he’s talking about. I’d actually prefer that you take at least two Weavers with you when you run home, but Lucien should be enough.”

“Safety in numbers, eh?”

“These pestilents are relentless, so yes.”

“I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around all this. Magic and beings from another dimension. Nothing in my life has ever prepared me for something like this.” Cort came to him and took his hand again. He ran his thumb over the skin on the back of Grey’s hand. “And here you’ve been dealing with this on top of losing your sight. You’re a strong man, Grey Ackles.”

“Well, you’re handling this better than I would in your position.”

Cort let go of his hand and Grey missed his touch. It grounded him somehow, made him feel less alone. He reached out and touched Cort’s arm, feeling the slim, toned muscles of his biceps.