celebration.”
Martine turned and shrugged. “Too crowded. West gate seems to be good, though. The big unveiling of the groom is tomorrow night. Should be even more arriving today than yesterday.” She strode off without another word.
Logan managed to get the last parcel secured in his hands just as Sabine looked at him. “We need to go back. Now.”
Without a word, the two followed their hostess back to the safety of her home.
Sabine set a brisk pace, surprising Logan. He and Cavon darted around people in the path, juggling packages while keeping pace. With each step, his alarm grew. What had happened? By the time they reached the gated courtyard, his mind was awash with theories. Was it Arine? Was the artist not Ian?
A young boy waited at the door into the home, his arms outstretched for the packages he and Cavon carried . Logan hurried, cursing at how tangled his fingers had gotten in the cords. He darted inside just as Sabine went into the room where Arine last was. Mestra followed on her heels, closing the door behind them.
His mind raced. Something happened, and it probably had to do with Arine. He no longer cared about what was and wasn’t allowed in this city. He reached out for the knob.
“Logan, what are you doing? We can’t just walk in there.” Cavon’s voice hissed the warning. “Who knows what’s wrong. But this is Sabine’s house, it’s not Sanctuary. Here were can’t just…”
Logan turned, leveling a steely gaze at his friend. “I know. But I also need to know what happened. You saw Sabine’s face, how fast she pushed to get back here. I need to make sure Arine’s not hurt. I--”
The knob twisted beneath his hand. Startled, he let go and stepped back as the door swung open. Mestra looked at him, her face a mask. “You can come in. She wants you to meet him.”
Logan nodded and moved past Mestra into the room. His eyes scanned the room, searching for Arine.
She sat on the edge of a sofa. Across from her were two strangers. He had no idea who the woman was. The boy, though--there was no mistaking the family resemblance.
“Logan, come here and meet Ian.” Arine’s voice was low. Excitement played across her face, with something else he couldn’t quite pinpoint. Still, he moved closer as she reached out her hand.
“Ian, this is Logan. Logan, this is Ian. And his wife, Caroline.”
That’s when he caught it. The slight tone of disappointment, of loss. The meeting had not gone as she’d hoped. As they all hoped.
Sabine stepped forward, “I hate to interrupt, but things are in motion. They need to leave now, Arine, if they’re to make it.”
Logan looked from Sabine to Arine, puzzled. “Leave now? Why?”
Arine smiled at him. “They’re heading back to their ship for the night, Logan. And we’ve been promised the chance to see the best beach you can imagine. But we have to leave now, if we’re to get back before the gates close for the night.”
He nodded, the knot in his stomach tightening. Her words didn’t ring true, but he knew she’d not say anything different if he asked. If, when he needed to know, she’d tell him. And not a moment before. That secrecy was part of her job, of her.
“Well, then, do I need to go change?” he asked, hoping that Sabine thought he believed the lie. For all their sakes, he had to convince anyone that asked.
Chapter Twelve
A rine embraced Ian one more time. “I’m glad we met again, Ian.