“I’m not hungry… He’s the other man who rescued me,” she said, her tone quiet. Eyesemotionless.
“Not exactly a man.” Shae sat on the bed, watching her mother anxiously. “He’s immortal, like all the men here. He takes care of everything at the castle. And he’s an excellenttrainer.”
Her mom didn’t say anything, her gaze drifting to thetelevision.
Unable to stop herself, Shae blurted, “I’m sosorry.”
Slowly, her mother glanced back at her. “Why?”
“For terrifying you when the laptop exploded. For hurtingyou.”
“It’s not your fault…” She frowned and rubbed her brow then shook herhead.
Shae hated that lost look on her mother’s face and tried to think of happier things she could talkabout.
“Mom,” she began quietly. “There’s something I want to tell you. That tall Guardian with the warrior braids? We’re uh…together.”
Her mother stared at her steadily for several seconds then nodded. “I’mglad.”
She couldn’t help the smile curving her mouth thinking of her man. “Dagan makes mehappy.”
Her happiness faded a little. She hated having to leave her mom this evening, but Uncle Lem needed family withhim.
Voices drifted from the kitchen, followed by the sound of clattering dishes. Shae cut a quick look at the doorway. The warriors would be leaving on patrol, and Dagan would be waiting forher.
“Shae—” Her mother grasped her wrist tightly, panic surging over her wan features. “Ash, he must leave thisplace.”
Shae had no idea what to make of that. Her mother didn’t have strong precognition, but she occasionally dreamed things. “Did you have avision?”
She winced and rubbed her head, her eyes gone dull again. “I haven’t had any of those for a long time. I just feel…uneasy abouthim.”
Ash had always been “that musician” to her mother. The fact that she’d actually mentioned his name worried Shae. “Okay. I’m going out with Dagan to see Uncle Lem for a short while, I’ll speak to Ashthen.”
The blank look back in her eyes, she nodded. “I’m tired… You’ll come see me when you comeback?”
“I’ll be here.” Her chest aching, Shae pulled the covers over her. The speech shouldn’t take toolong.
Leaving the bedroom door slightly ajar, she cut through the living room and made her way to the kitchen. As she entered, Dagan turned from the French doors, his black cigar case in his hand. Leathers covered his muscular thighs, and a black dress shirt fitted his wide chest, the sleeves rolled to his elbows. His brow furrowing in concern, he crossed to her. “Whathappened?”
“Mom feels Ash could be introuble.”
He stared at her for a second. Then, setting his case on the table, he grasped her hands. “She, there’s something you shouldknow.”
His quiet tone sent alarm bells ringing. “What isit?”
“We found Ash a few days ago in a warehouse. He’d been hurt badly. Michael healed him, removed his memories, and sent him off. I didn’t tell you because you’d already been through alot.”
“Who?” she asked, too worried to get upset that he’d kept it fromher.
“We think Samael could have been behind it, for rescuingJenna.”
“Oh,God!”
His grip tightened on hers. “Your friend’s okay. Go ahead and callhim.”
Dagan wouldn’t lie to her. Her hands shaking like a leaf, she rangAsh.
He answered on the first ring. “Thank God, you live! You left the club so suddenly that night, then you just disappeared for work to the ends of the world without a word for weeks? Yeah-yeah, called your friend Harvey, he told me. When are you coming back,doll?”
