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Lawrence could dredge up nothing but pity for his former enemy. He couldn’t imagine having to choose between Torr or Laria and a woman he loved. Because there was no doubt that Kenton had most assuredly made a choice, and the pain in Drake’s face was a stark reminder of the lines that had been drawn.

Kenton didn’t comment. He simply returned to the house through the open balcony door, taking Alessandra with him. Lawrence walked to the railing and peered down, already knowing he’d see no trace of Drake.

“Do you think he means to harm her?” Laria asked, joining him at the railing, Drake nowhere in sight.

It was a fair question, and one he couldn’t answer.

“I don’t know.”

“I suppose we should be thankful it’s Drake we’re dealing with and not Rowan.”

Lawrence wasn’t so sure that was cause for celebration. For all they knew, Rowan would be joining his brother.

“Until Drake leaves Stone Haven, we can’t take any chances.” He glanced back into the house before shifting his gaze back to the street below them. “Alessandra should be guarded at all times.”

“Yes,” Laria agreed. “Kenton can protect her.”

As he watched puddles form in the street below, Lawrence could sense his sister’s eyes on him.

He’d told her he was done, but he could tell she was wondering whether he’d change his mind. Again. This was what had motivated them over the course of their long, long lives. Protecting the Cheld.

The first time he’d felt the odd prickling sensation—as if someone were staring at his back—Lawrence had feared he’d gone mad. The feeling had plagued him for days, and it was only when Laria and Torr both recounted a similar sensation that Lawrence had been reassured he’d not lost his mind. It faded soon after, once the Cheld’s arousal was at an end.

Two days earlier, his niece had given birth, the first baby in their family since the change.

The feeling had faded soon enough, only to return each time one of Alec and Isobel’s children gave birth. Years had passed before they made the connection.

He and his siblings had assumed their desire to protect their nieces and nephews, the first Cheld, would be a temporary concern, for they were not immortal. But their abilities had manifested in their children. When the time came to leave Bowden Castle, Lawrence’s duties as clan chief began to shift. With the knowledge they could sense their extended family no matter where they were, he’d taken on the role that had claimed the past seven centuries of his life.

To protect the descendants of the brother he’d failed to save.

Alessandra was cloaked, but she was still in danger.

But there was another uncloaked Cheld who faced that same danger. One who didn’t have vampires as protectors.

He’d thought he’d sensed it earlier, while Drake was here. And now that he and Laria were alone . . .

“You feel it too?” she asked, meeting his eyes.

“Yes,” he said. “Although it’s far away—”

“Not in the U.S., I don’t think. Central or South American maybe?”

“We need to find them,” he said.

But Laria wasn’t listening. Eyes closed, she allowed the sensation to fill her, to guide her, and he did the same, the sensation of another Cheld becoming stronger for them both.

He knew where to go.

Laria’s hand stayed him.

“Let me handle it. If you’re going to remain here, in Stone Haven, you have to let me go alone.”

He had complete faith in his sister’s abilities, but he didn’t wish to abandon his responsibilities, to heap them on her shoulders. And with Drake so close . . .

“Let me go, Lawrence.”

His sister was right. If he truly meant to stay, she needed to do this alone.