Fallen Ward (Deepwoods Saga Book 3) Read Online Free Page A

obviously waiting on someone to descend.
    “Where is everyone?”
    “Ryu Jin Ho said we needed a more accurate map and detailed information before we could make any plans. He’s going out with Grae and Rune to do some calculations. Darrens is getting a more accurate headcount of who is battle ready now and who will be able to fight a week from now. We took a unanimous vote and decided to meet back here after noon.”
    “In other words,” she translated, still feeling rough around the edges from the residue of anger, “no one wanted to continue the meeting after Wolf and I had that scream fest upstairs.”
    “Exactly.” Extending a hand, he offered with a gentle, sympathetic smile, “Walk with me.”
    Wondering where he was going with this, she accepted the arm, putting her hand inside his elbow. He led her out the main doors of the tavern and onto the street. This hour of the morning, everyone had their own tasks to do, and there was little traffic. They were able to step out and walk along the side without bumping into anyone.
    “Are you the oldest in your family, Siobhan?”
    Surprised by this out-of-the-blue question, it took a second to switch mental tracks and answer. “Ah, no. Third to last, actually.”
    “Really? I’d always pegged you as the older child.” His head cocked slightly as he thought that over. “Probably because you’re such a natural big sister to everyone in the guild.”
    “It comes from being a big sister to Grae. He’s actually eight months younger than me. For a child, that’s a huge difference.”
    “I suppose it is.” His eyes crinkled up in a semi-smile. “As you know, I’m the oldest. For many years, I was the only boy, too. Because of that, I was usually in charge of protecting my sisters. Even when Samuel came along, he was too young to protect anyone, so I was still the default guardian of my teenage sisters. It was quite harrying at moments, trying to protect three of them all at once. Especially without stepping on any toes.”
    Siobhan did not for one minute think that he was telling her all of this just to pass the time. But she didn’t quite see where he was going with it, either. “Did you learn how to be good at it?”
    “Still learning, actually.” His grin became rueful. “I’ve learned that protecting my lady-love is somewhat different than protecting my sisters. I’ve made a muck of things several times with Sylvie without intending to.”
    Siobhan probably knew more about those times than he realized, as it was usually she that advised Sylvie how to handle it.
    “Still and all, I’ve gotten an idea of how to handle protecting a woman without angering her in the process. So. Won’t you let me say what Wolf was trying to say?”
    Siobhan stopped, drawing him to a stop with her, and stayed in the shadow of a store front’s porch. Her eyes searched Markl’s and found nothing in them that was condescending or deceptive. “What did I miss, Markl?”
    “Quite a bit, I think. Siobhan, you’re used to Wolf protecting you. You, and everyone in this guild. It’s his job, after all. You’re equally used to going into dangerous situations with him at your back, because again, that’s his nature as well as yours.”
    She nodded impatiently. She knew all this.
    “But,” Markl raised a finger in the air, “until this point, I don’t think this set of circumstances has ever arisen. Before, if there was danger ahead, and Wolf couldn’t go with you, at least one enforcer in the guild could, right? You never went in there alone without someone from the guild going with you.”
    Siobhan opened her mouth, set to argue this, but couldn’t think of one time that wasn’t the case. Since gaining Wolf, she had never been in a dangerous situation alone. “Not since he’s joined the guild,” she admitted slowly.
    “You had been fighting and taking care of yourself for eighteen years before you ever met Wolf. You’re accustomed to this and know how much