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THEY asked around in the center of the town for the most likely one to identify the rocks in the bag. Aodhan’s mate and her youngest sister joined them, after they saw Aodhan walking through the town. His brother’s mate and her sister were beautiful green-eyed redheads who had once been human. Mallory had witnessed what had happened with Adric’s father and her concern was clear in her beautiful eyes. Adric allowed the females to join the search; perhaps their presence would help his female not be so frightened? Mallory would understand how to help a frightened young female, wouldn’t she?
They were guided toward a merchant wearing the green of the Jareth House. It was one of the larger stands, filled with all types of merchandise, including stones just like the girl’s. The merchant and a young female were running the business, the girl sitting quietly near a register, a sketch pad in her hands. They waited until two young females in yellow and white had completed their purchases before approaching the merchant.
The male took the bag in his hands lightly. The shop keep stared at the two females with them intently. Aodhan shifted in front of his female and her sister. He finally looked at a small bin with similar rocks and at them again. Adric knew what he saw—two wealthy males, wearing royal white and the Adrastos hashas. Adrastos—the tribe of the greatest warriors. The unofficial policing tribe of the city. “Why are you looking for the girl? Has she hurt someone? Has someone hurt her?”
“Why do you ask?”
The male’s face tightened and he looked over his shoulder at the girl busy drawing behind him. She had to be his daughter, the resemblance was strong. Adric placed her at around twenty years or so. “She is young—barely older than my daughter—and so frightened; I am not sure she is Dardaptoan. She comes to me every day with these stones. And has since we first located here. I do not need them, they rarely sell, but it is all she has to trade with. I give her grains and fruit and vegetables. Enough for a day or two, at least. I’d give her more, but her pride will not let her take it nor any fish except on rare occasions. She has refused me before. She is a proud young woman, but has never hurt anyone.”
“She had a puppy with her. Does that sound like her?” Adric asked. “She is my female and was injured today. She ran before I could claim her, or help her. I fear for her greatly. Please tell us where she is.”
“I do not know her name. I think she lives near the library or so. I followed her there one day, but I could not leave my daughter here alone for too long, not with the Incubi gangs roaming.” The male hesitated, then looked at his daughter again. “The girl is struggling here. I do not believe she has access to enough clean water or adequate food. Even what I give her does not seem to be enough. She’s gotten thinner. The clothes she wears are her only pair. The dog is her constant companion and she adores him. She is deeply afraid of all of the demons here. Especially the Incubi. I have tried to get her to give me a name or at least her family name, and she refuses. I offered her a job here at the stand once and the Woald Equan offered her lodging. She refused that, as well. She fears people, I think. Fears us. I know nothing else about her.”
His daughter was listening to the conversation with interest. She stood and came over to them, a piece of sketch paper loose in her hand. “Dad? This may help. I drew this last month.”
She handed the paper to her father and he passed it to Aodhan.
Aodhan took it and looked at it quickly before cursing. Adric took the small color drawing.
He saw what had his cousin cursing right away. Small, thin. Redheaded. Large, uniquely shaped eyes the color of jade. Long corkscrew curls.
Enough like the two females beside them to be their sister.
Adric thanked the girl and gave her some coin for the small drawing. This was his Rajni; exactly how she looked. He had no doubt of that. But what did the resemblance mean? “Aodhan?”
He looked at his wife. “Mallory? You recognize her? A Taniss out there we don’t know about?”
“Only more than we can count. You think she’s one of those?” his mate asked.
“You know her?” Adric asked his sister-in-law, as hope filled him.
“Not her. But she may be one of my father’s half-siblings. We don’t know how many children our grandfather fathered out there. We’ve found several now. But how did one get here in Thrun without us knowing?”
Aodhan frowned. “I don’t know. We need to figure out just what she is, and how we can help her.”
“First we just need to find her.” Adric didn’t care what her antecedents were. He just wanted his Rajni. Quickly. The sky was rumbling and nasty storms were rolling in. None would want to be outside when they hit.
He wasn’t stopping until he found her.
“The library, you said?” The Thrun library was off-limits to all but the demons who ruled the demon world. And had been ever since Rion’s Rajni had nearly been killed inside it. The idea that his mate was near it concerned him. “I will find her.”
“I will go with you, brother.”
“No. You take your female and her sister home before the storms come.” Mallory’s stomach was rounded with Adric’s nephew, and she did not need to be trekking around the city. The youngest sister was the mother of Adric’s cousin’s babes, as well. She needed to be home with them soon. “I will find mine and bring her to the Family Hall. Or the Healers, if needed. Thank you, brother. For your willingness to help me search and protect her.”
“Of course. When you find her, the Taniss family may have questions for her. We know of two other half-sisters she may one day wish to meet, as well as my father-in-law and his brothers. They are open to reunification, if she wishes. Blessed hunting, dear brother.”
Adric nodded and then took off toward the library at a run.
The breeze kicked up around him, and there it was. He could just smell it.
His female’s blood on the air.