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  "A little. We'll be following up on a couple of leads after breakfast."

  He obviously wasn't in the mood to share, but it had definitely put him in a foul mood. Heavy lines bracketed his mouth. Sandor was making more of an effort to hide his thoughts behind a facade of good humor, but she could practically see the tension thrumming in his veins.

  "Will one of you have time to drive me to my apartment this morning? I need to pick up some papers and then go into the office." She didn't really want to go to either place, but darned if she'd let him talk around her as if she'd just been another piece of furniture.

  "Hell, no!" Ranulf's eyes flashed dark and furious. "If you set foot outside of this house, we might as well stand you on the street corner with a target on your chest. You're staying put."

  She met him glare for glare. "And just who died and made you king?"

  Ranulf leaned forward and planted his elbows on the table, all business and temper. "I promised Dame Judith I would keep you alive. If I have to tie you to the bed to do so, I will."

  "Ooh! Sounds kinky, big guy." She gave him a sweet smile designed to tick him off. "But sorry, not interested."

  Judith held her napkin to her mouth, hiding a smile, clearly delighted at seeing her fiercest warrior tangled up in knots. Even Sandor looked amused.

  Ranulf's big fist came down hard on the table. "Kerry, I am not about to—"

  His tirade was cut off by the sound of a cell phone ringing. It wasn't hers. She'd turned it off and left it back in the bedroom. Sandor checked his and shook his head. Ranulf frowned and stepped out into the foyer. A second later he was back with a phone, glaring at the screen as it continued to ring.

  Kerry asked the question that all of them were wondering about. "Aren't you going to answer it?"

  Ranulf looked around the table. "The caller's ID is blocked."

  "Then the best way to find out who's calling is to ask. Unless you'd rather I did." Kerry held out her hand, knowing full well he'd never surrender that much control to her.

  The look he shot in her direction as he punched the button and held the tiny device up to his ear warned her that retribution would be forthcoming. "Yeah?"

  His eyes turned glacial and the temperature in the room plummeted. "Bradan. How nice of you to call, you murdering son of a bitch. I hope you've been putting your affairs in order."

  Although she couldn't hear the other's response, she knew it had to do with her because Ranulf's gaze immediately went to her and stayed there. As he continued to listen, her heart fluttered in her throat and her breakfast turned into a queasy lump in her stomach. Whatever Bradan was saying had Ranulf holding the phone in a white-knuckled grip.

  Ranulf had clearly had enough. "You forget whom you're talking to. I don't take orders, especially from weaklings like you."

  He listened for another few seconds, and when he laughed, it had nothing to do with humor. "You go right on believing that if you want to, boy. But your hours are numbered. You've seen renegades die before, so you know there's only one way this is going to end for you—badly. Come in now, and I'll ease your passing."

  When Bradan replied, Ranulf fell silent, his face chiseled out of granite. "You touch one hair on her head, and I'll rip away every ounce of the energy you've stolen while your skin burns and you beg for mercy. Then I'll dance on your grave."

  His voice dropped to a scary whisper. "And while you turn blue and choke on your own spit, I'll be smiling."

  He slammed the phone shut, his breath coming in jerks, as if he'd run a marathon. Knowing he wouldn't like being stared at, Kerry turned her gaze toward the others. The Dame looked pale, but resolute. Sandor muttered, "Gods above," and shook his head as if to clear it, looking like his worst fears had just been confirmed.

  Which irritated the hell out of Kerry. How dare he pass judgment on Ranulf? He wasn't the one who'd been forced to listen to Bradan's filth. And it had to have been horrific to have affected Ranulf so strongly.

  She got up and went to stand by Ranulf, hating that he looked so alone. "What did he threaten to do to me?"

  Ranulf stared down at the phone in his hand. "He said that he's been practicing, and now that he's got it right, he's ready for the real thing,"

  "Practicing what? More fires?"

  Ranulf didn't want to answer, because repeating Bradan's horrendous promises would only give him more power. But knowing Judith and Kerry, they wouldn't settle for a watered-down answer. He met Sandor's eyes briefly, reading the usual disapproval and maybe a hint of fear in them.

  "He said he's killed a woman and a young man to get the hang of how it's done. That's all I'm going to tell you, except that we're dealing with one sick bastard."

  He shoved the phone into his pants pocket, resisting the urge to smash it with his fist. "He knows Kerry is here, and thanked me for herding all of his intended victims into a convenient spot. He called it 'one-stop shopping.' "

  "Dear God." Judith went ashen.

  As Kerry scooted closer, Ranulf gathered her into his side, knowing she needed the comfort that touch would provide. They needed to make plans, ones that included getting Kerry safely out of harm's way until he and Sandor could corner their prey.

  He let Kerry's scent seep into his bones, aware that the comfort being offered was a two-way street. The press of her body along his warmed him from the inside out, her acceptance of who and what he was, a balm to his raw nerves.

  The truth of what he did for the Kyth didn't seem to repel Kerry. She even accepted the necessity of Bradan's death without hesitation. He met Judith's gaze across the table. The older woman gave him a nod of approval, which reminded him that the two of them were long overdue for a talk.

  "We need to get out of here today, and that includes Josiah. We can't leave anyone behind who could be used as a pawn in Bradan's game." It took all of his strength to ease away from Kerry. "Go get packed up, Kerry. Sandor, you'll take the women and Josiah someplace safe while I wait here for our friend. I'll call when it's over."

  "Won't he be expecting us to do exactly that?" Kerry wrapped her arms across her waist. "Then all he'd have to do is follow us from one place to the next."

  "Maybe, but we won't be leaving by the front door. Will we, Judith?"

  The color had returned to her face. "No, you won't. Kerry, dear, would you go to the kitchen and ask Josiah to put on a fresh pot of coffee for me? I need to talk to these gentlemen for a minute, privately."

  "Have I told you how much I hate secrets?" Kerry asked as she stalked out of the room.

  Ranulf stared after her, unable to tear his eyes away. He wanted nothing more than to chase her down and drag her back to her bedroom for a repeat of last night's performance, maybe adding a few things they hadn't had time to try out yet. But this definitely wasn't the time for such thoughts.

  "All right, out with it, Judith. What else do you know about Kerry that you haven't been telling us?" He sat down, determined to get a straight answer out of his leader.

  Chapter Twelve

  Sandor bristled. "What are you talking about?"

  "Earlier, when we were fighting. Maybe you didn't notice, but it wasn't Judith who stopped us. It was Kerry." Ranulf turned back to Judith for confirmation.

  She saw no use in denying it. "Yes, it was Kerry." Her younger warrior was shocked. "How can that be? You're the only one we know of who has the capability to control Talion warriors like that."

  Judith shrugged. "That may have been true before, but it's obvious that our Miss Logan is a powerful young woman. We also have solid evidence that she can use energy to heal. I would guess Ranulf has more direct experience with her other abilities."

  Ranulf sat in stubborn silence, dark energy flickering across the tips of his fingers. Events were rapidly coming to a head, and she needed to know if Kerry was the one she'd been waiting for.

  "Ranulf, Sandor." She struggled to find the right words. "I'm getting weaker all the time. Although I can still perform my duties, it takes me much
too long to recover. The Consort to the Dame is more than an ordinary spouse; his energy both balances and amplifies hers. The two of you and Josiah have tried very hard to fill in the gap Rolf's death left in my life, and I appreciate all you have done. But without Rolf as my Consort to keep me stable, I cannot serve as the Dame of the Kyth for much longer."

  Sandor started to protest, but she stopped him. "It does no good to argue. The truth is simply the truth, Sandor, even if it is not what we want to hear. I am dying, and sooner rather than later. If I die before someone else can assume my duties, our people will suffer. The Kyth bloodlines have already become too dilute. I do not want to see our heritage disappear altogether."

  She stared out the window. How many different homes had she lived in? How many gardens had bloomed and died in front of her eyes? She was ready for this to be the last one, even if her people weren't.

  "Kerry is the first candidate I have found who has all of the necessary abilities to take my place, and my purpose in assigning both of you to watch over her is twofold. Obviously, I need someone to handle the problem of Bradan. He will be difficult to bring to justice, but I have faith that you two will be able to carry out your duties. However, it is because of the other reason that I ordered both of you to keep our Miss Logan safe."

  She braced herself for the explosion she knew was coming. "Should we be able to convince her to take on the job, which is by no means certain, she cannot serve alone. Even though she is young and powerful, the job will take a toll on her unless she has the right help."

  Ranulf figured it out first. "You don't mean help, Judith. You mean stud service," he sneered.

  "There's no need to be crude, Ranulf." She resisted the urge to pin him to the wall to remind him of his manners. She couldn't spare the energy, and he wasn't totally wrong.

  "You have even' right to be angry, but I most certainly did not order you into Kerry's bed. You managed that all on your own. It was my duty to introduce her to the strongest possible candidates for her Consort, which meant the two of you. You each have different gifts, but either of you would serve her well."

  Her Viking warrior rose slowly to his feet. She couldn't decipher the expression on his face, but it frightened her. "Ranulf?"

  His hand went to the talisman he wore around his neck, wrapping his fingers around it as if to rip it off. Made in the image of Thor's hammer, it was the symbol of his fealty to her. Had she offended Ranulf to the point that he would consider renouncing his duty? It didn't bear thinking about, not when she needed him the most. The seconds stretched to the breaking point as she waited. Slowly his stance relaxed, his decision made.

  "Share your thoughts, Ranulf." It wasn't a request, but an order.

  "Dame Judith, I have served you faithfully for ten centuries. My honor has been yours to command, but you have gone too far this time. Maybe Kerry is everything you think she is, but you're playing fast and loose with her life. Hear my words and know that I mean them: This is my last mission for our people."

  He walked to the window, turning his back on her. His words lashed out like a whip. "Damn it, Judith, I've killed for you and bled for you long enough. I want some peace in my life. I've earned that with my life's blood, and I won't spend what time I have left playing stud for you or the Kyth."

  Ranulf's cold fury beat against her senses until he managed to contain his emotions. One minute his eyes were ablaze with blue fire and the next they were the color of ice.

  "I am truly sorry that I have offended you. However, as your liege lord, Ranulf Thorsen, I will command you as I see fit. I am too old and too tired to go on the run. I will not leave my home. My wards are strong enough to keep Bradan at bay. Your duty—your only duty—right now is to take Kerry from here and keep her safe. Whether you do that from a distance or from her bed is up to you."

  Ranulf nodded once and stalked from the room without looking back. As soon as he was out of sight, Sandor stood.

  "Do you have something you'd like to add?" Gods above, if she lost Sandor, too, how would she go on? The same way she always did: one day at a time, one tough decision after another.

  "You should have told us your suspicions about Kerry from the beginning, Judith. She deserved better from you, not to mention me. And God knows Ranulf did. He has served you far too long to deserve such disrespect."

  Had she heard right? Sandor was defending Ranulf?

  Angry at his rebuke, she snapped, "I am your ruler, Talion! I don't have to explain myself to you or Ranulf. Your loyalty is mine to command. Do not dare to question my decisions!"

  He jerked back a step, as though she'd slapped him. "Very well, Grand Dame. If you'll excuse me, I have work to do."

  Then he walked away, leaving her feeling alone and so very old.

  Bradan shifted in his seat, his body objecting to the long hours wasted sitting in the car. If there wasn't any action in the next few minutes, he'd call it a day and try again tomorrow. He'd been sure that his phone call to Ranulf would have sent those fools scurrying for cover. Then it would have only been a matter of tracking them down one at a time for fun and games.

  The images in his head were so clear that it felt as if he really could have tasted their blood and smelled their sweat. He was so lost in the promise of his plans that he almost missed seeing the gate to the Dame's home rolling open. Ranulf pulled out onto the street and turned in the opposite direction from where Bradan was parked.

  The Viking was alone. Turning the key, Bradan decided to follow long enough to see where Ranulf was headed. Once he knew for certain, he'd decide whether to go after Ranulf—although he could have an army in the trunk of that land yacht.

  Yet Ranulf's departure might be a ploy to lead him away so the rest could escape. Should he go after Ranulf, no easy target, or wait to see what the wily old bitch was up to?

  He put the car back in park. He'd stirred the pot; it was only a matter of time before it came to a boil.

  "Where's Ranulf?" Kerry set down her suitcase and computer case. "Aren't we leaving?"

  Sandor was standing near the front door, watching the street outside. "He already left."

  Her breath caught. "Why? I thought we were all going to leave together."

  He still wasn't looking at her. "Ranulf is going to circle around the area for a few minutes. Once he's sure he's not being followed, he'll pick us up down the street. Evidently there's a tunnel that leads out of this house that Dame Judith never told us about." He turned away from the door. "Seems there are a lot of things she hasn't bothered to tell us."

  Something about the Talion warrior was off. His voice had a flat quality that hadn't been there before. "What hadn't she told you?" Kerry asked.

  He ignored the question. "We need to go now if we're going to meet Ranulf. Since the two of you are so close, why don't you ask him any questions you might have?"

  He'd only known her a few days, so why should her relationship with Ranulf bother him so much? And how could she explain it to him when she didn't understand it herself?

  Either way, she wasn't going to play his game. "Fine. I'll do that. Lead the way."

  He did as she asked without speaking another word. His suitcase was sitting beside the pantry in the kitchen. After he felt around the bottom of the shelf, she heard the sound of metal gears turning, and the back wall opened up to reveal a hidden staircase. Sandor started down the steps, leaving Kerry to follow.

  "Is Dame Judith already waiting down there?"

  Her question was met with silence, except the echo of their footsteps in the narrow passage.

  "Sandor, quit being an ass. Where are Judith and Josiah? Are they coming?"

  Her companion shook his head. "No, they're not. She won't leave her home, and Josiah insists on staying with her."

  "But isn't that dangerous?"

  His steps faltered. "Hell, yes, but try telling that to Judith. She seems to think that since you're Bradan's real target, they'll be safe as soon as you're out of here."

  Ker
ry caught him by the shoulder. "And you believe that?"

  He turned, his dark eyes blazing with frustration. "Frankly, I don't know what to believe anymore. As she pointed out to me, her job is to issue orders. Mine is to carry them out."

  "Maybe I could talk to her." How could they drive away leaving the older woman alone with only her butler for protection?

  "You could talk till you're blue in the face, and it won't change a thing." He started back down the stairs. "Once we're sure you're safe, I'll check on her and Josiah."

  At the bottom of the stairs, he finally turned to face her. "Seriously, we need to get you to safety. I'm sorry you ever got sucked into our business."

  "That was hardly your fault, Sandor. And if you and the others are to be believed, I'm part of you anyway. That makes it my business, too."

  He set down his bag and took hers as well. After setting it out of the way, he stepped closer to her. She backed away, not sure she liked the odd expression in his eyes.

  The Talion was close enough for her to feel the heat of his body and the soft brush of his breath on her skin. He reached out to place his hands on her shoulders. Was he trying to scare her? She didn't think so, but whatever he had in mind, she wanted none of it.

  "Come on, Sandor, we need to keep moving. Ranulf's not the most patient of men, you know." She knew she'd made a mistake in mentioning his name as soon as she said it. Sandor's eyebrows snapped down as his eyes locked onto hers.

  "You have no idea what you're messing with by getting involved with him, Kerry. The kind of energy Ranulf's been living on for centuries is poison, plain and simple. It's the same stuff Bradan is harvesting from his victims. Keep that in mind the next time you decide to invite Ranulf into your bed. The man is a killer. It may not be his fault, but that doesn't make it any less true."

  "Sandor, whatever happens between me and Ranulf is none of your business. No matter what you think, he's a good man, and nothing you say will convince me otherwise." Despite the differences in their heights, she felt like an adult dealing with a child's disappointing behavior.