“Yes, he did save you,” Alice said slowly.
“Which means absolutely nothing.”
“Of course, if you are sure—”
“Completely!” she said too loudly.
“Hello. Why are you shrieking, Samantha?”
Wolf appeared, wrapped in a thick black dressing gown. He was Alice’s brother, a captain in the army, and married to Rose, Samantha’s sister. He, Dev, and Harry were almost identical to look at and in character. Each had the gift of sight.
“Is that tea?” Alice pointed a finger at the two large mugs he held.
“It is and very nice.” He took a mouthful out of one.
“I am your favorite sister, so hand it over.”
“I shall tell Kate you said that. Good morning, Samantha.” He kissed her cheek before joining his sister on the log and handing her the mug.
To anyone else this might seem odd. She was practicing her knife throwing with two dressing-gown-clad Sinclairs. It wasn’t. In fact, everything about this was in fact normal to her, and she’d missed it.
“Why was she shrieking at you?” Wolf asked Alice.
“No reason,” Samantha said quickly. She did not want their family to link her to Warwick.
“Well, if you won’t tell me what you were shrieking about, sister, how is Samantha doing?”
“Terrible. It’s wonderful to see,” Alice said. “I am now a great deal better.”
Samantha snorted and retrieved her knives. “Not for long.”
She threw and missed again.
“I see what you mean. You are rushing, Samantha,” Wolf said.
“You are not sighting the target correctly,” Alice said.
She did both things and at least got onto the target.
“You’re worried,” Wolf said. “Wondering if whoever kidnapped you is lurking, waiting.”
“I try not to be.” Samantha sighed.
“We are worried for you also,” Alice said solemnly.
“I am sure it was a random attack, but still I fear that I will be taken from everyone I love.”
“Do you believe we will ever allow that to happen?” Wolf asked.
“No.”
“Then what else is worrying you?”
“Nothing,” she said far too quickly.
“Papa!”
The shriek filled the air, and a young boy came hurtling toward them.
