Raging Shadow by Candle Sutton

Author:Candle Sutton [Sutton, Candle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-05-21T00:00:00+00:00

Eleven

It was like one big, crazy chaotic family.

Dalton watched from his position by the door as Tari, Britt, Charae, Jade, and some guy he’d never seen before, which could only be that Jordan guy Ephraim had mentioned, greeted each other warmly with hugs and handshakes. Silas stood not far from Jade’s elbow, a grin on his face as he watched the interchanges. A curvy woman with light blonde hair stood near Jordan’s side, clearly not wanting to intrude on the reunion any more than Silas did.

Instead of putting their group in the main dining room, John Johnston had set them up in a private meeting room. Servers had already set the table with water glasses, pitchers of water, and some rolls and whipped butter. Menus dotted the table, which no one seemed inclined to read at the moment.

A hand slapped him on the back.

He turned. Malachi?

Malachi grinned. “What, you didn’t think I’d miss Rachel’s celebration of life, did you?”

Truthfully, he hadn’t given it a thought, but now that Malachi mentioned it, his presence made perfect sense. “Ephraim will be glad to see you.”

“Dalton? Malachi?” Tari’s voice brought his head around as she broke from the group and approached.

Her long skirt flowed freely around her ankles, the dark blue fabric containing a hint of shimmer. A crisp white sweater set off her black hair and latte complexion and her white smile glowed on her face.

A quick study of her eyes found no trace of stress, a far cry from the last time he’d spent any time with her. Things must be going well, as she’d assured him every time they spoke, but it helped to see the evidence with his own eyes.

She pulled him into a quick hug before releasing him and assessing his face, taking in the myriad of fading cuts. “It’s so good to see you.”

Before he could respond, she moved to Malachi and gave him a brief hug as well.

He’d forgotten how small she was. Almost a full foot shorter than him, if he had to guess, with a petite bone structure that probably couldn’t stand up against a stiff wind. Ironic, considering she was one of the strongest women he knew.

“What are you two doing hanging out at the door?” She hooked her hands around both their arms, gently leading them further into the room.

“Didn’t want to intrude.” Dalton nodded at the rest of the group, who conversed easily and had drawn in both Silas and Jordan’s wife.

“Nonsense.” She shook her head, the black waves of her hair brushing her shoulders with the movement. “After all we’ve all been through together? You’re one of us now. Both of you.”

“Jordan might disagree.”

Her steps slowed. “Well, just because he hasn’t needed your help yet doesn’t mean he won’t welcome you as a friend.”

The use of the word yet wasn’t lost on him. “For his sake, I hope he won’t need my style of help.”

“You and me both.” Her gaze slipped to Malachi briefly. “But hopes and wishes may not change what is to be.

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