Scent Of Danger (A Sinclair & Raven Novel Book 4)

by Wendy Vella

  “Dev?”

  “I feel it, but see nothing.”

  “I hear nothing,” Eden said.

  Something made Cam turn to the right, and he saw Emily running.

  “Emily!”

  “Warwick!” she screamed, but did not turn.

  Cam sprinted after her, but she had distance on him, and reached the balloon before he could grab her. He then watched in horror as she lunged at the basket as it started to rise with her gripping the edges.

  “No!” He stopped, heart pounding, looking up at her. “Let go, I’ll catch you!”

  Instead, he watched her legs disappear as she was pulled inside the basket.

  “Emily!” Cam watched her head appear.

  “Warwick is inside!”

  “What?”

  “She said Warwick is inside!” Eden arrived, breathless.

  “Dear Christ!” Cam stood with his head back watching the balloon rise higher into the sky with his little brother and Emily inside, and could not think of another time when he’d felt more helpless. He was sure that later, when they were safe, something would come to him... but not now.

  “She just said she will keep him safe.”

  “But who will keep her safe?” he said, watching her floating away from him. He felt as if part of him was up there in that basket. A very, very important part of him, and that if it was not returned he would no longer be able to exist.

  “I can’t breathe.” His whisper was ragged as he dropped to his knees.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “It’s panic, Cam.” Essie was there beside him. “Slow your breathing down and focus on my voice.”

  She placed a hand on his stomach and he forced himself to listen to her calming words. Forced himself to breathe, and slowly the tightness began to ease.

  “Push my hand in and out.”

  He did as she instructed and finally the tightness eased.

  “They will be okay until we reach them, brother, have faith.”

  He managed to stagger to his feet, and pulled Essie to hers. He then hugged her hard.

  “Easy, Cam.” He gripped the hand Dev put on his shoulder.

  “I am well, just had a moment. Carriages!” he rasped.

  They started running. His nostrils were filled with the stench of fear, and blood pumped through his veins. The thought of his little brother and Emily up there was a terrifying one.

  “Essie, take the children home, and we will follow the balloon!” Dev yelled. “We need Lilly and Eden with us.”

  “I want Warwick and Emily back!” Somer cried.

  Cam scooped her up, squeezing her hard.

  “They will be safe, sweetheart, but you have to be a good girl and go with Essie. We will bring them home as soon as the balloon lands, I promise.”

  His heart thudded, and his skin felt tight. Thoughts of death and destruction as the balloon crashed taking Emily and Warwick from him made his chest heave once more, but he pushed them aside.

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.” He hooked fingers with his little sister, then handed her to Essie.

  “We have Lilly, should we need her, and then you will be waiting when we reach home. I promise we shall bring them to you safe, Ess.”

  She nodded, but said nothing, her face pale. Max hugged her briefly, whispering words of reassurance. She then bundled the three terrified little girls into the carriage and left.

  “Follow that balloon, Bids,” Dev told his driver. Minutes later they were inside, traveling in the same direction. Grim-faced, James, Dev, and Eden sat across from him; Max and Lilly were to his left.

  “God’s blood, that boy is staying in his room for two months,” Cam growled.

  “A year,” Dev added. “And I’m feeding him gruel.”

  “Can you hear anything, Eden?”

  Pale and shaking, Eden gripped her husband’s hand as she moved to the window and leaned out. She shook her head. “They are too high now, and the wind is strong. Perhaps when we leave the city, and I can stand under them?”

  Cam sat with his hands clenched in fists on his thighs.

  “How is your breathing?”

  “All right,” he told his brother.

  “I have never seen you like that before.”

  He felt their eyes on him, but his were out the window.

  “I thought she was going to fall right there before me, and I would not be able to save her.”

  “But you would have,” James said. “Just as you have before.”

  The absolute belief in his words surprised Cam.

  “But you hate that we are your protectors.”

  “No, never that.” He shook his head. “We Ravens are blessed to have the Sinclairs in our lives. To know that whenever danger presents itself, you will do what needs to be done to protect us, no matter the cost to yourself. I feel the great burden this task has placed upon you by some greater force, but I could never believe it was anything but a blessing for us.”

  “We would be dead were it not for you,” Max added. “And our sister lost to us.”

  “I make light of it because that is our way, but never doubt that to me, you are the most wonderful people I have ever encountered,” James said.

  Humbled, Cam nodded, unable to find words. He had never understood how the Ravens in his life felt until that moment.

  “Thank you.” Dev’s words were thick with emotion.

  “I fear for them up there in the cold,” Eden said. “They do not have enough clothing on to keep warm.”

  “The man will have a blanket, I’m sure, love.” James lifted his arm, and Eden burrowed into him. “He will also land as soon as he is able.”

  “We can do no more than follow them.” Max was the voice of reason. “That balloonist is experienced, and has done many, many flights, bringing each down safely, and with passengers.”

  “My heart cannot stand this,” Cam gritted out. “First she gets abducted and then throws herself recklessly into a balloon.”

  “May I remind you, that selfless act she just did was to save your brother.”

  “I know, Max, but I’m scared.”

  “As are we all.” Eden took one of his fists and held it tight. “But we have to believe they will be safe.”

  “Do you have anything that smells nice on you?” He questioned her. “The scent in my nostrils is noxious.”

  Eden dug into her reticule and found a handkerchief. She thrust it at him. “This has scent on it.”

  Taking it he inhaled deeply; the relief was acute.

  “What’s it’s like?”

  “What?”

  “The smell?” James asked him. “Is it only when someone you care about is in danger?”

  “No, I can smell most things near or far all the time, I’ve just got used to it. But it’s worse when danger is approaching. When Emily was abducted, I knew something was about to happen. The stench made my head swim.”

  “Which is strange as she’s not your family, don’t you think?” Max said, watching him closely.

  “Firstly, she is a Raven, and secondly she’s part of my life, therefore someone I am aware of,” he said, choosing his words carefully.

  “That must be it then.”

  Cam looked out the window again, but he had a feeling all kinds of silent signals were being thrown around the carriage. Right at that moment he didn’t care. What he cared about was getting Emily and Warwick home safe.

  Emily was cold. She wore her coat, hat, and gloves but it was not enough. Warwick too was shivering.

  Mr. Hailmaker was most displeased that they were on his journey, as he had not calculated for the extra weight, nor did he have supplies to cater for them.

  “To have thrown yourself at my basket in such a reckless manner shows extreme foolishness or incredible bravery. I’m not sure as yet which it is, Miss Tolly.”

  He wore thick woolen trousers and jacket. Two scarves, and a woolen hat pulled low over his ears. Emily envied him that. Her bonnet was n
o barrier against the cold wind.

  “E-Emily is br-brave, not stupid, sir.”

  Unwrapping her scarf, she took off Warwick’s cap, and wrapped the wool around his ears and head.

  “Th-thank you.”

  Emily then moved in behind him, and wrapped her arms around Warwick’s body. The boy allowed it, which told her just how cold he was.

  “What can you see?” she bent to ask him.

  “How v-vast it all is. There is a c-castle, and it’s surrounded by so much land, a river also. The trees seem like dots, and the animals the same. It is as if they were drawn on a piece of p-paper.”

  “We shall have to land as soon as I find a suitable place,” Mr. Hailmaker said, and Emily could only be grateful that she would not be up here for too much longer. She was not overly fond of heights, but had not truly had that fear tested until this moment.

  “Your family will be very cross with you, Warwick, you do realize that?”

  “I don’t c-care, it’s worth it.”

  Warwick was as stubborn and defiant as Cam. Even though the boy had realized the error of his actions not long after the balloon had risen high in the sky, he would not admit it. She’d seen his fear and worry. Watched as his excitement had moved into trepidation.

  “No it’s not. You’re cold and miserable,” she said. “But you have your brother’s pride, so that will carry you until we land, I am sure.”

  “I-I’m sorry, Emily. I do not usually do impulsive things, like the twins. But I wanted this, and I did not think through the consequences.”

  He was solemn now, thoroughly chastened, and she could censure him no further.

  “Well, as this is the first and last time I will ever fly in a balloon, shall we enjoy it, and attempt to locate landmarks?”

  “Here.” A flask was handed to them. Taking a tentative sip, Emily enjoyed the burn of the brandy as it slid down her throat. Her second mouthful was larger.

  “Can I have some?”

  “No!” both she and Mr. Hailmaker said in unison.

  “Thank you for risking your life by hurling yourself inside the basket when you realized I was hiding in it, Emily.”

  “You are welcome. I can think of nothing I’d rather do than be up here, freezing my ears off, terrified, with you.”

  He snuffled then leaned back into her.

  “Do you like Cam, Em?”

  “Of course, just as I like all your siblings.” But there was so much more to what she’d felt when she’d looked down into Cam’s terrified face. His fear had ignited hers. She’d wanted to jump and have him catch her as she’d known he would. But of course his fear was for his brother as well as her, and the little boy was the reason she was in this basket, miles above the ground.

  “But do you like him more?”

  Emily wasn’t sure where this was going, but didn’t think she’d like its eventual destination.

  “No more than Dev.”

  The boy was silent, and Emily was relieved the conversation was over. Her relief was short lived.

  “I think you should marry him, and then you’ll always be with us.”

  Stay calm. “I will always be with you anyway. I have no need to wed Cam for that. Besides, we would not live in harmony, as we are continually arguing.”

  “He likes you, I can t-tell.”

  “You are cold. Here, let me warm you up.” Rubbing her hands up and down his arms, Emily tried to dismiss his words. The problem was that lately she had come to the realization that she liked Cam too... a great deal more than she should.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Worry gnawed at Cam’s insides as he watched the balloon. The panic that had robbed his breath had eased slightly, enough so he could inhale and exhale, but only slightly. Inside that basket were two people who had the capacity to destroy him should anything happen to either. Emily had crept inside him somehow. The woman who had always been like a persistent pain in his side had become something more, he just had no name for it yet.

  On and on the carriage rolled for God knew how long, and the tension inside ratcheted up with every mile they traveled. Fear was so thick it nearly choked Cam, and he knew his siblings fared little better.

  Dev was pale, and his pupils big, eyes focused out the window with an intensity that would be unnerving to anyone who did not know him. He could see the balloon clearly.

  “Move to the middle, Dev.”

  “What?” He tore his eyes away from the window to look at Cam.

  “James, move and put Dev on the other side, between you and Eden. He can see the balloon clearly, and it’s making him ill,” Cam added.

  “No!”

  “Yes.” Lilly leaned forward, taking her husband’s chin in her hands. “It is for the best, my love.”

  Between them, they moved him along the seat. He did not fight them, but the urge, Cam knew, was there. Dev then gripped Lilly’s hand, and slowly his pupils began to retract.

  “Eden, do you have your earplugs in?”

  She shook her head at Cam’s words.

  “Replace them now.”

  James dug about in the pocket of her coat and found them, then helped her push them in.

  “We can do nothing until they land, therefore there is no need to become worked up to the point of panic, until they do,” Cam said as calmly as he could.

  “And you, brother.” Dev’s voice was gruff. “What can be done for you?”

  “Very little. I have the handkerchief and will inhale that when the smell is too strong.”

  “I was often envious of your closeness, but watching you all now,” Max said softly, “it is a kind of hell I never wish to experience.”

  “I feel it, but not as strong. Most of the sensations I feel come from touching the sick or injured,” Lilly said. “I pray to God my skill is not needed this day.”

  They all agreed silently.

  As the sun began to lower in the sky, Cam watched the balloon closely.

  “It’s coming down. Dear God, please let it come down gently,” he prayed.

  “Find a place to stop, Bids!” Dev roared at his driver. “As close to the balloon as you can get!”

  The carriage traveled for a while longer, and then stopped.

  “It’s landing in that field, my lord, near them trees,” Bids said as they got out. He then crossed himself, which did nothing to ease the panic inside Cam.

  “Be prepared to leave as soon as we reach you, Bids. Get the blankets out and ready.”

  “At once, Lord Sinclair.”

  The driver was right, the balloon was heading for the trees. Cam climbed the fence into the paddock, then turned to help Eden, whom James was lifting over. Lilly was next, and then he started running with his family on his heels.

  “It’s slowing!”

  The wind was carrying it away from the trees, Cam noticed as Dev shouted the words. His heart was thudding so hard it hurt.

  “Warwick just told Emily he wanted to see his family again!” Eden cried. “We’re coming, darling!” she shrieked.

  Cam’s gut clenched for his little brother and the fear he was feeling.

  “Be strong, Warwick, and hold Emily tight!” Cam roared, hoping his little brother would hear.

  “We love you!” Dev roared.

  “Emily is soothing him, trying to distract him with questions now. He just told her that he heard us. There is another male voice, the owner of the balloon who is reassuring them all will go well, and that he has done this many times.”

  Lilly would heal any injuries; Cam just prayed she was not needed. They often said that between them all they would be the perfect medical people to have on a battlefield. He hoped again that those skills were not required today.

  “Hold hands,” he said suddenly. “Give them our strength, see if there is anything we can do to get this balloon down safely!”

  He felt the surge of power as Lilly gripped his fingers. It intensified as Eden and Dev joined. On they ran until they were directly under the b
alloon. Only then did they stop and complete the circle. The power rose.

  “Look up!” Dev roared. They did as he asked. “I can see them. Emily has Warwick in her arms, surrounding him, keeping him warm. They’re both pale, but it’s from cold and fear, not injury.”

  “Warwick said he can feel us, he just told Emily that we are below, and that everything will be all right.”

  “We’re here,” Cam said, talking to his brother.

  “Emily is singing now.”

  Cam’s gut clenched as the balloon sank lower. She must be terrified.

  “Is... is it going too fast?”

  “Not according to the man inside who Warwick just called Mr. Hailmaker. He said they are descending at the correct pace,” Eden reassured them.

  Cam held his breath as it got lower, and then it landed with a thud, tipping on its side. Breaking the circle, they started running again.

  Arriving first, Cam dropped to his knees beside Emily, who was on her side with Warwick in her arms.

  “H-he’s all right,” she stuttered.

  “You kept him safe,” Cam managed to get out. He reached for his little brother and lifted him out.

  “It’s all right, you little heathen, I have you now.” Cam kissed the top of his head, squeezing him, then handed him to Dev.

  “You next,” Cam said. Emily was attempting to crawl out, not easy as she was burdened with skirts. He grabbed her around the waist and helped her, settling her between his knees.

  “Thank God, you’re safe.” He whispered the words into her hair. Her hands clutched his coat, while his arms held her in a ferocious hug. He needed to let her go, or crush her, but he couldn’t make himself.

  “Thank you, Emily.” He heard Dev’s heartfelt whisper from behind him. “I am going to kill you,” Dev said slowly. “Warwickshire Sinclair, you will be paying for this act of stupidity for days... weeks, make that months. You have aged me ten years this day.”

  Emily was burrowing into Cam’s chest, and he had his face pressed into her hair. Her scent calmed him. He wanted to hold her until her tremors eased, and even then he wasn’t sure he would let her go.

  “Emily?”