CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Lucas stood watching the wall of dust stirred up by the crows with disquiet, even though he knew the swirl of it probably protected their people from the New Army’s ships as much as it hid all that was going on within it. He felt a touch of relief as men came in from the shore, stumbling out of the dust in the colors of Ishjemme.
Even so, he stood as taut as a drawn bowstring, a hand on his sword ready to draw it. He didn’t trust this. He could feel the power of the creature who had come to them, and he didn’t like leaving his sister alone with him, with it.
He felt the moment when his sister was in danger like a blade sliding into his flesh. He heard her cry out for help in his mind as clearly as if she were standing next to him shouting.
Help!
Lucas didn’t hesitate
