320 Baffling Brother

ELRETH

Elreth's head and heart both spun as they walked the trail together back to the cave. She knew her parents weren't far behind them, and likely Gar as well, unless he had something he thought he needed to do that night with the disformed.

She stopped mid-step and turned back, looking down the trail to see if he was within sight, but there was nothing.

"What is it?" Aaryn asked, turning with her, his hand naturally coming to rest at her back, as if he were ready to push her to safety.

That little gesture warmed her. She wished it washed away the anger that still wanted to burn her up from the inside.

"I was just wondering if Gar was going to be unwise and go running to the disformed tonight and try to… I don't know… school them? Hide things? I don't know," she said. "I just got uneasy all the sudden."

Aaryn sighed then looked down at her, his brow furrowed, but his eyes soft. "El, you really underestimate Gar."