He drew his cell from the pocket of his leathers, but addressed her first. “I’m calling Fergus. Should we bring the others here?”
Kiara dipped her chin in a firm nod. “Absolutely.”
As he talked things over with Fergus, he gestured for Kiara to join him in the air to guide the wolves in. She held him back to keep them hidden behind the security spell she had around her property.
He stayed on the line with Fergus and after a minute saw him flying in his direction. He carried one of the rescued wolves in his arms. His men were not far behind him.
He and Kiara broke through the spell then ushered Fergus, his men and the recovering wolves into the secret refuge. Fergus hung back and stared hard at Warren. Your eye is open, and the scarring is diminished. When did that happen?
Earlier, with Kiara.
Fergus shook his head. Amazing. He glanced at the wolf in his arms, then added, We’ll talk later. He then descended toward the house.
Ralph flew at the back probably making sure all his wolves were safe. His skin was pale as he reached them.
Once safely inside the security spell, Kiara spoke quickly. “We’ve got Susie, Ralph. She’s fine.”
While midair, he gasped and shuddered. “Where is she?” His voice cracked.
Kiara waved an arm in the direction of the house. “There. She’s sitting in the wicker chair on the porch though it’s hard to see through all the warriors and your wolves.”
Ralph immediately launched toward the refuge.
Warren flew beside Kiara, descending to land on the stone path that led to the front of the house. Fergus met them. “So, this is the refuge.” He settled his gaze on Kiara.
Kiara, however, wasn’t paying attention. Instead, her gaze appeared to be fixed on Ralph and Susie.
Warren could just see the couple as well. Ralph gathered Susie into his arms. She clung to him and he saw that Ralph shook, head-to-foot. He kept kissing her face then hugging her harder still.
From his peripheral, he watched Kiara swipe tears from her cheeks. Though he released her hand, it was only to slide his arm around her waist and draw her close. You did good, Kiara.
Back atcha.
The words were right, but he sensed the undercurrent of sadness. As he watched the tender reunion, full of grief because of the wolves the couple had lost, his throat tightened. He felt for Ralph and Susie.
“I can’t believe we got them all out,” Fergus murmured.
Kiara finally turned her gaze to him. “You and your men did great.”
Fergus shifted back to her. “As did you, Kiara. This was nothing short of a miracle.” He glanced around. “So where do you want everyone?”
“Let me contact my staff. I think I’d like to have them come up and take the wolves into the refuge apart from your troops. It’s a process when there’s been so much trauma.”
“However you want it done.”
Kiara turned away from both men, reached into her satchel and withdrew her phone. She spoke quietly as she moved through the group of wolves in the direction of the front door. Most of the warriors had released the women they’d carried to safety, though a couple of the females were too weak and needed to be supported. The entire group was quiet.
Warren turned his attention to Fergus.
Fergus stared at him once more. “The entire time I’ve known you, I’ve never seen both your eyes. I’m stunned. So, she’s healed you?”
Warren shrugged. “Kiara thinks it’s something we do together. Beyond that, I have no explanation.”
Fergus gestured with a toss of his hand. “And all of this? I had no idea it was here. Did you?”
“No, the refuge was a shock to me as well.”
Fergus kept shaking his head, his hands planted on his hips. His gaze followed Kiara. “But how did she manage to build all this when her house is within a stone’s throw of both the Sand Pit and the Caldion compound?”