Lost Creek Hollow ishi comes home

The words had no more come loose from his lips when Harlyn's voice rang out behind him. Larkspur's voice followed barely a beat after, though by the time he had turned to bring them into his view she had gone into hiding, caged beneath her mother. It wasn't just her that he saw but also the two boys in tow too and with all of them out in the literal outskirts of their claim he felt the worst of sinking sensations come to him. Leveling off his gaze with Harlyn, he could only briefly convey concern before it was overrode with the simplest of suggestions: now?

But all of that was to be sent to the side momentarily, as Spring had found her opening to answer questions. Torn between focusing on his mate and Ayishik's rescuer, Mordecai was forced to turn an ear to the latter. She'd have to remain in his blind spot for now, though gradually he found himself bringing his solitary gaze around to her all the same. Prepare for anything, right. It left a bitter, if not sour taste in his mouth.

"Thank you," he offered her gently, though there was a note of dourness to be found. At least they had some time bought on their behalf, but how much or how much good it would do he could not say. Once again, his gaze left Spring for Harlyn. "We should go now, then." Whatever finality he could assign to that statement he did, though it was hardly his call alone.