“And what of it?” Aiko asked. “What if she is half vampire? Does that change the fact that she was brought up here? As a druid?”
“We all agreed to raise her to the dais,” Roran stated. “She is the daughter of the Keepers of the Rest. She was an acolyte to our temple.”
“She broke the Spine,” Rilen stated, “and beheaded Savion.”
“She shares your bed,” he bit out, hauling himself to his feet. “You are not objective!”
“Mistress Kimber brought weapons and knowledge back from East S’Kir,” Staviz said. “Go ahead and accuse me of sharing her bed.” He wrapped his hand around Bebbenel’s upper arm and hauled him toward the door. “Go. Find Master Dorian. Tell him what you’ve said here. Or don’t. But know that we all heard what you’ve said. And know how close you walk toward speaking treason against the very temple you’re bound to serve.”
Staviz tossed him toward the now open door, and Bebbenel was barely able to catch his feet under him. He stumbled to a stop, straightened his robe, and walked out without even looking back.
We waited for the slam of the other door before finally relaxing a bit.
“He’s trouble,” Odom said from his spot on the bench.
I put a hand to my head. “He is trouble. Why is he doing this now? He doesn’t like me, but I don’t know why he would do this.”
“Captain Drez?” Staviz addressed him without actually turning to him.
“Yes, sir. I’ll have an eye on Bebbenel. What is my laterality on his antics?”
“Oh, full, son. Full.” Staviz did toss him a look this time.
Drez gave a brief nod and motioned Jallina to follow him. She smiled at me and brushed her fingers over my hand. “We must have tea soon, mistress.”
I smiled back, and a moment later, the two of them were out the door. Jallina’s touch and words were code. We need to have more than tea. She had things to tell me that she didn’t want to share with Staviz yet.
Meanwhile, Staviz unlocked the door, and Odom walked out of the galena-lined cage. He and Aiko shared an embrace. I wondered if they’d ever been able to do that before. Then Odom walked over to me and pulled me in for a hug as well.
“Kimber. I am so glad you’re all right.”
“General Kane? Is he safe?”
Odom took a deep breath. “He’s still at the Stronghold. He and several of the lord knights are doing what they can to hold the place together.”
“The allied knights?”
“All of them. Allied and Savion’s. The generals the same. Niniane is a power to be reckoned with. They will prevail, and they do plan to… uh, remove her, but not right now. She’s elusive, according to the last message. Moving through the walls and frightening everyone when she can.”
“We have to stop her,” I whispered.
“We will. Soon enough. Soon as we can pin her down to take care of it, get her guards away from her.” He let out a sigh. “I might not be your father, but I feel a certain… responsibility for you.”
I grinned. “You know, I’ve never had a kindly uncle.”
“Then, I shall be that for you.” He smiled.
We stepped apart, and I motioned to the twins. “These are the masters Roran and Rilen Wolf, from the North Temple.”
Odom gave a stiff bow from the waist. “Masters Wolf, it is an honor to meet you. Kimber spoke of you often and highly.”
They nodded and backed up a bit.
“So, General Odom is who he says he is,” Staviz said.
“Good. I’ve spent many hours speaking with him about the Stronghold and East S’Kir and how we can save the vampires who do not wish to be part of Niniane’s madness, nor wish to continue the reign of Savion.” He let out a breath. “We have a lot of work ahead of us.”
* * *
