Page 113 of The Hunter’s Affection

He spun and stood. Kenton stood behind him, holding his hand out.

He didn’t hesitate—he shook it.

“Thank you,” he said, hoping Kenton knew what he thanked him for.

“You managed to surprise me, Derrickson.”

He was pretty sure Kenton wasn’t the only one.

“We’re a long way from the Isles.”

“And from attempting to hack each other with a sword. Agreed.”

“But your brothers . . .” He knew the answer but asked anyway as he glanced down the bar toward Drake, who was talking with Alessandra.

“They will continue to hunt the Cheld, though he’s pledged his loyalty to Allie and Garrett.”

Torr had figured as much.

“Then Stone Haven truly is the one safe place, for now.”

“For now,” he agreed. “There are still too many threats for my liking—”

Charlotte squeezed Torr’s hand and got up to join Toni on the other side of the bar.

“How is she handling it?” Kenton asked.

“Better than I did,” he said honestly. “Still getting used to the hearing—”

“The voices were my least favorite part,” Kenton said, taking a sip of his drink. “Aside from not knowing what was happening.”

He’d never spoken about this with a Morley before.

“I suppose we could have alleviated some of that. Told you sooner—”

“That would have been nice.”

So much history between them. Although it had taken the Derricksons some time to figure out what was happening to them, they’d had Lady Isobel to help them through it. Kenton and his brothers hadn’t learned the specifics of the curse or countercurse for years. Decades.

“We were enemies.”

Kenton sighed. “And still are, at least to Rowan.”

“Drake doesn’t know when he’ll come?”

“No.” Kenton shook his head. “Only that he’s sure—”

He stopped talking.

Stood up straight.

Torr followed Kenton’s gaze toward his brother.

Lawrence nodded.

“Cheld?”

“Yes,” his brother replied.