Sweeter than Wine

CHAPTER 6

The next evening Christy awoke wrapped in Sebastian's strong arms, her body and mind humming with the knowledge that they were One. He'd let her sift through some of his memories, as he'd seen into her past. Of course, he'd lived a couple of centuries longer than she had, so the marvelous things he'd seen and done in eighteenth-century England were like something out of a romance novel to her. It also would take some time to sort through all she could now see in his mind.

There was bad and good, mixed with the fond memories of friendship with people like Marc LaTour, but under it all, a deep loneliness that haunted him. When they'd joined the night before, that vacant space in his soul had been filled, just as its mate in her own soul had been forever filled with the new beauty of their union. It was the purest form of magic and it humbled her to think this wonderful man could want and love her as much as she wanted and loved him.

It was all so sudden, but ever so right.

Sebastian leaned down to kiss her, a smile lighting his handsome face.

«Good morrow, my love.»

«Mmm, Sebastian.» They kissed, communicating on that new pathway between their minds.

«Glad you two are finally awake.» The teasing tone of Matt's unmistakable voice sounded through the intimacy of their link, breaking them apart.

«Would it be too much to ask for a little privacy?» Sebastian groused.

«Sorry, friend, but we've got a situation and you need to know about it, like yesterday. So no rest for the wicked. Get your asses out here and let's get to work.»

«Where the hell are you? I thought you couldn't hear us last night after we put some distance between us all.» Sebastian's tone was suspicious.

«That's true, but I'm waiting outside your door. I knew if I didn't, you'd spend all night holed up in there, making love.»

«This better be important then,» Sebastian grumbled as he rose and scrambled through some drawers looking for clothing. He tossed one of his shirts to Christy, along with a pair of gym shorts that came down past her knees, but at least she was covered.

«It is. I wouldn't have intruded otherwise.»

Sebastian opened the door and waited for Christy to precede him up the dark passageway to the chamber above. Sealing everything behind him, Sebastian paused a moment outside the above-ground bedroom door to kiss her once, with promise, before opening the door. Matt waited outside, leaning against the wall, dressed in worn jeans and a tight-fitting black T-shirt. Christy was struck once again by his movie-star good looks and killer body.

«Stop that.» Sebastian ruffled her hair, his expression teasing. He had to know from the way they shared their minds that she was merely admiring a thing of beauty. Her heart was well and truly Sebastian's, but Matt was just too good looking not to notice. She shrugged and smiled at Sebastian, knowing from his teasing growl that he understood.

«Now, what was so important?»

Matt straightened and pulled a large envelope out from behind his back. With an apologetic look at Christy he shared his news. «Jeff Kinsey's out. Seems the first thing he did when he realized Christy was gone from the hospital was place a call to a man named Benjamin Steel. We have reason to believe he's a highly placed Altor Custodis agent. Hastings had a thick dossier on the man and was already tracking him. Hastings got a heads up from one of his contacts on the East Coast when Steel moved out here a few weeks ago.»

Sebastian opened the envelope and rifled through the papers as they moved down the hall toward the more public areas of the house. Arriving at the living room, he stopped short. Christy looked between the two big men to find a third seated on another large leather couch, studying what looked like a batch of eight by ten photos strewn on the coffee table in front of him.

«When Hastings put out a feeler for more information, he turned up.» Matt nodded toward the newcomer. «I thought you should probably meet.»

«We've already met.» Sebastian strode forward as the stranger stood, hand outstretched in greeting and a broad smile on his face. They pounded each other on the back like old friends and Christy took a moment to scan Sebastian's memories for the stranger's identity.

«Cameron.» The name slipped from her lips as the men broke apart. Blue eyes twinkled at her, taking her measure.

«And who's this wee lassie? Can it be you've found your One, Sebastian?» The teasing light in his eyes belied the almost awed tone of his lightly accented voice. Curious, Christy moved closer.

Sebastian put one strong arm around her. «I have, Cam. May I introduce my mate, Christina.»

«A pleasure to meet you, milady. Though I wish it were under better circumstances.»

Christy quickly searched a few of Sebastian's memories of this man and realized he was a long time friend. There was something different about him though-different from the earthy energy of Matt and not quite the raw sexual energy of Sebastian and his vampire friends. This man was something else altogether.

Christy held out her hand and was charmed by the gallant way Cameron raised it to his lips for a gentle, polite salute. Her hand tingled where he touched. Magic. It had to be. But it was different from any of the magic she'd felt before.

She turned puzzled eyes up to Sebastian.

«What is he?»

On the other side of the couch, Matt laughed and she realized he'd heard her as well. Sebastian sent the shifter a stern look while speculation filled the gaze of their new guest.

«We'll discuss it later,» Sebastian told her quickly. «Shall we sit?» Sebastian invited his guests to relax as he and Christy claimed the cozy love seat.

A troubled expression crossed the newcomer's face as he ran one hand through his fiery red hair. He had freckles too, but his build was that of a giant and he looked like he had muscles on his muscles, though he seemed a gentle soul, on the surface at least.

«So tell me, why are you here, Cam? I haven't seen you in a hundred years or more.»

Christy stifled her gasp at the casual way Sebastian spoke in terms of centuries. She'd have to get used to this immortality stuff.

The other man sighed. «When your shifter friend sent out that information request, red flags went up all over the globe. Of late, there's been some trouble with the Altor Custodis.»

Sebastian leaned forward. «What kind of trouble?»

«After consulting with some of the mountain weretribes and the werefolk's High Priestess in Montana,» Cam said, «we're drawing a rather ugly picture of infiltration at the highest levels. Sebastian, the Venifucus are back. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say, they never completely left.»

Both Sebastian and Matt looked as grave as she'd ever seen them, but Christy had no clue what was going on. All she got from Sebastian's memories-what he'd let her see of them-was a frightening account of a society of watchers. The Altor Custodis watched all kinds of supernaturals, though they had never been known to interfere in any way.

«But if they don't interfere, why are you so worried? I mean, if they only watch and record…» Christy betrayed her knowledge of Sebastian's thoughts, but nobody seemed surprised.

If possible though, Cameron's face grew even darker. «That's the problem, lass. Recently, they've been interfering in a very big way. Last Samhain, a mage who was definitely a member of the Altor Custodis tried to assassinate a young priestess and her werewolf mates. He would have succeeded too, if not for the intervention of two of my kin and one of your kind, a fellow named Dante d'Angleterre.»

Sebastian whistled through his teeth. «I didn't know old Dante was still around, but that explains where Marc got the information. He warned me that the Venifucus might be back, but I was hoping it was some kind of hoax, or maybe a misunderstanding.»

«I heard about this too, Sebastian,» Matt confirmed. «An alert went out to all Alphas after the attack on our priestess. Dante d'Angleterre was given safe passage among all were. It came down from the current Lords themselves.»

Sebastian turned back to Cameron. «So the Altor Custodis have gone bad?»

Cameron tilted his head. «Not all of them. But some? Certainly. It's my belief they've been infiltrated. I think the Venifucus used the Altor Custodis's existing hierarchy to rebuild and hide in plain sight all these years.»

«For what purpose? What could they hope to gain?» Sebastian wanted to know.

«You're not going to believe this, but multiple reliable witnesses heard it from the Venifucus mage himself before he was dispersed. They've got a plan to bring back Eslpeth. They want to return her to power in this mortal realm.»

«Good Lord!» Sebastian shot to his feet, while Christy was left to wonder who the heck this Elspeth was. Suddenly, the words came to her from Sebastian's agitated mind. Elspeth, Destroyer of Worlds.

«Destroyer of Worlds?» Christy's voice rose with shock. «You mean like the apocalypse or something?»

«The very same, lass.» Cameron's blue eyes focused on her. «If Elspeth comes back to this realm she'll finish what she started eons ago. It will be the end of this world. That's the honest truth.»

«Well then, we've got to stop it.» It seemed straight forward to Christy and her stark statement won the attention of all three men.

«We? Good lord, woman!» Sebastian was clearly upset as he stalked over to her. «You're newly turned. You're my mate! I'm not risking your safety for anything in the world.»

His arms caged her in the seat and she withdrew, memory shooting her back to the times Jeff had physically threatened her. She knew it was unreasonable, but she couldn't help it. Sebastian was just so much bigger than she was. Even though she knew in her heart he would never hurt her, in that moment, she grew afraid.

She knew Sebastian read the fear in their shared minds as anguish etched his face. He calmed and dropped down beside her on the love seat, pulling her into his arms and snuggling her close with gentle hands.

«I would never hurt you, my love,» he crooned in a low whisper, rocking her as the fight or flight reaction shook her body. «I'm sorry, Christina. I didn't mean to frighten you. Please forgive me.»

She became self-conscious, knowing the other men were watching, but when she peeked up at them, they wore expressions of compassion. Pushing against Sebastian's hold, she worked to gather her scattered emotions. She had to pull herself together. This wouldn't do. She refused to be a coward.

She felt Sebastian kiss her head as he let her go. «You were never a coward, my love,» he whispered in her mind. «You're the bravest woman I know.»

«So where does all this leave us?» She tried to breathe deep, and calm her racing pulse. Somehow Jeff was mixed up in all this. Her problem marriage had just become a much bigger problem for them all.

Christy didn't miss the significant look that passed between Cameron and Sebastian before the redhead resumed speaking. They all seemed to realize her predicament.

«It leaves me wondering just where Benjamin Steel's loyalties lie. I've been tracking him for a few months, but he's a wily son of a gun. For the safety of all supernaturals, we need to find out if the Altor Custodis organization is aware of its own problems and if so, what they're doing about it. My goal is to locate and talk to Steel. Your difficulties lie in the fact that he might or might not be a damned Venifucus agent. Or even if he's still loyal to the Altor Custodis traditions, those in his chain of command may not be. If such is the case, they won't like what you've become, Lady Christina. Female supernaturals, most of all, threaten the return of Elspeth, for it was prophesied eons ago that Elspeth would finally fall at the hands of a woman of great power and that lady were, vampire, priestess and fey would be there, working together against her at the end. As a result, they target our women when they're young and just coming into their powers. Like you.»

«Well, hell.» Matt's angry voice cut through the silence as he flopped back in his chair. «He only just finds her and now her life is in danger? That doesn't seem fair.»

«That it's not, laddie,» Cameron agreed, «but it's the way things are. The question is, what are we going to do about it?»

«We?» Sebastian sat forward, his stance tense.

«Aye.» Cameron nodded. «I'll not leave you alone on this, my friend. The fey-well, at least I-will stand with you to protect your lady.»

«Fey?» Christy was trying to make sense of his words when his meaning penetrated. «You mean you're a fairy?»

Matt stifled a laugh and Cameron shot him a dirty look before replying. «Not in the modern sense of the word, but aye, I'm of the fey realm, though I prefer the comforts of this one.»

«Thank you, Cam.» Sebastian's voice was filled with grim gratitude. «I can never repay such kindness.» She knew Sebastian felt immense relief at the other man's words, though she didn't quite understand what help a fairy could be in this situation. Sebastian turned his gaze to Matt.

«My friend, you know I would never ask you-«

Matt didn't let him finish. «Hey, man, you didn't expect me to bail on you now? Please.» His expression was one of exaggerated disbelief. «You and your lady deserve a shot at happiness and an absurdly long life together. Besides, she had me wrapped around her little finger the moment I heard about her bastard husband.» Matt scowled, but managed to wink at her, setting her more at ease in the tense atmosphere. «I'll see what help I can conjure from my clan and maybe a few of the others you've befriended during your time here, Sebastian. I imagine a few extra sets of eyes and ears would be welcome?»

Sebastian nodded. «You've got that right. As long as they can be trusted.»

«I'll recruit only those you know, Sebastian. Only those I trust.»

«And I suggest you get your own on this, Sebastian,» Cameron advised. «This situation may grow a wee bit larger than any of us bargained for.»

Sebastian pulled a cell phone from his pocket and started dialing. «Can you stick around for an hour or two, Cam?»

The redhead nodded. «Unless my trackers find Steel.»

Sebastian stood as the phone connected with Marc LaTour. Sebastian asked the Master to come by. Christy understood from scanning Sebastian's surface thoughts that he protected Marc by inviting him here rather than moving the meeting to the Master's home. The less people who knew where Marc lived and the layout of the place, the better. She also realized Sebastian regretted he'd made his own home so easy to access by his many supernatural friends now that he had her safety to consider.

«Now, lassie,» Cameron claimed her attention with the soft burr of his voice, «would you mind telling us a bit about your husband?»

Matt leaned forward in his chair and took her hand. «You don't have to if you don't want to, but it might help.»

She smiled at the werecougar while Sebastian was occupied on the phone. «It's okay. What do you want to know?»

She spent the next half hour or so describing small details –from the kind of car her husband drove to his work schedule. She drew a floor plan of their house and even answered questions about where things were stored in the home, if there were any large silver objects, weapons, and the like. Things that never would have occurred to her before she'd been changed. They wanted to know the layout of the windows and furniture and where the alcohol was kept, especially any wine. They also wanted to know about her husband's habits, his character and his typical response to other men, women and even children and animals.

Christy didn't understand the motivations behind half the questions, but she had her suspicions. Sometime during the gentle interrogation, Hiro came into the room, his gaze questioning, but Sebastian settled him into the group with a soft request to hang around. Patient as a stone Buddha, Hiro sat on the floor, his back straight and stance attentive.

Matt made a quick phone call and ten minutes later, a huge bird of prey swooped down onto the patio and hopped into the room to listen in as well. Christy's eyes widened, but she could only assume this was another of Matt's shapeshifter brethren. Shortly after, Sebastian went to the door to greet Marc, Atticus, and the enforcer, Ian Sinclair, all vampires of great age.

Christy felt self-conscious as the growing crowd listened to the details of her life, but Sebastian sat at her side, a reassuring presence. She knew the remnants of the life she'd led to this point would have to be dealt with before they could move on together. This added threat only made it all the more imperative. So she struggled to tell her story and answered the odd questions put to her as best she could.

When she'd finished, everyone in the room sat back with varying expressions of compassion, anger, resolve and calculation on their faces. Sebastian took the opportunity to introduce everyone. Christy was amazed by the respect shown to Marc. Apparently being the Master Vampire really held some weight with other supernaturals, if the way they deferred to him was anything to judge by. Christy knew Atticus as Lissa's husband, but it was clear he was also well respected. She'd met Ian only once before but remembered the handsome man well. She knew now that Ian was an enforcer. As she understood it, his job was to police vampire society to ensure nobody exposed their secret existence. He also dispensed justice to those who broke their laws. Ian was a scary guy, built of solid muscle, his stance rigid in a way that didn't invite familiarity, and he had the look of a killer.

Matt disappeared into one of the hall closets and came back with a pair of sweatpants he threw toward the giant hawk. The bird hopped down behind the couch and a tingle of magic filled the air. Seconds later, a handsome sandy-haired man rose from behind the sofa, tugging at the drawstring of the borrowed pants. He was good looking in the same rugged way as Matt, but his nose had a pronounced bump, like it had been broken once or twice and his eyes were both cunning and sharp.

«This is Collin Hastings, the private eye.» Matt introduced the other shifter.

«I've heard good things about you, Mr. Hastings,» Marc said on behalf of the vampires.

«Thank you for coming,» Sebastian added. «Thank you all for coming. I had no idea our situation would turn into a cross species operation, but I thank you for standing with me and my mate in this time of difficulty.»

Christy liked the way he included her and appreciated the warm feeling of his hand in hers as he sat close beside her on the loveseat.

Cameron shuffled through the photos on the coffee table, passing a few around the group. «These are surveillance photos of both Jeff Kinsey and Benjamin Steel.»

Christy's hand tightened on Sebastian's as the pictures made their way around to her and she saw Jeff's sneering face for the first time since he'd almost killed her. Sebastian put his arm around her shoulders, and she sank into his hold, feeling as if nothing could harm her with him there. And perhaps nothing could. Certainly not Jeff. Sebastian would eat him for breakfast. Well, maybe dinner, after the sun went down, she amended with an inner smile.

«They've met on more than one occasion since Kinsey got out of jail,» Hastings spoke as he passed the photos on. «I have reason to believe it was Steel who posted bail for Kinsey, though I've yet to receive final confirmation.» Hastings held up another photo and pointed to a man in the background. «I'm also awaiting confirmation of the identity of this man. He's been seen with Steel each time we've been able to track the man. Steel is slipperier than an eel. We've caught him with Kinsey a few times, but when we try to follow, he manages to slip away. That goes double for his associate. We've heard the name Mario, but other than that, we don't know who this one is yet.»

«May I?» Ian reached for the photo and Hastings handed it to him. Ian looked at it for a few minutes before passing it to Marc. «I've seen him before.»

«Recently?» Cameron asked.

Ian shook his head. «It was some time back. Mexico in the eighteen hundreds. Mario Gonzalez was his name back then. He was a bandito. We crossed paths when he robbed the night stage I was on. He's a mage of some kind. I smelled the magic right off. When he realized what I was, he took what he could and headed for the hills. I tracked him down a few weeks later, but he claimed he'd gone straight. I watched him for a bit, but he seemed okay, so I let him be. Figured he'd have been dead long ago, but maybe his magic is such that it gives him long life.» Ian shrugged.

Cameron nodded. «Venifucus magic has been said to extend the life of mortals. At the expense of others, usually.» His attention turned to Christy. «If it's as we fear, you're in more danger than you know, milady.»

«This is definitely not cool.» Christy sagged back against Sebastian. «You're telling me some kind of evil human magician has teamed up with one of these Altor guys-who are only supposed to watch-and is coming after me because I'm newly turned and therefore weak? Great. Just great.»

«Hey, girl, don't sweat it,» Matt tried to cajole her with a smile. «You've got a bunch of angry vamps, some equally pissed off were, and a fey warrior on your side. Not to mention the tricks you have up your own sleeve, sweet thing. They won't know what hit them if they start messing with you. I can guarantee it.»

«What tricks?» Cameron wanted to know.

Sebastian sighed and ran his hands through his hair. «You really want to tell them, Matt?»

The werecougar shrugged. «Why not? Besides, I think they need to know.»

«What do we need to know, Sebastian?» Marc stepped forward, asserting his authority as Master.

Christy stood, not liking the implied threat to her man. She surprised herself a bit with the instinctive action, but nothing and no one would threaten Sebastian while she was present. Sebastian stood behind her, placing calming hands on her shoulders, while Matt stepped in front of her, using his imposing height to face down the Master Vampire.

Matt shrugged again. «It's no big deal, really. It's just that I was her first meal.» Matt seemed to gloat as he spoke the words. «Come to think of it, her second and third as well.» A smug smile lit his face while the vampires wore expressions of shock.

«What have you done, Sebastian?» Marc wanted to know.

Sebastian pulled her back against him. «What I had to do, to keep her safe from the mad dog who was her husband.» His words dared the other vampires to object.

Marc backed down, shaking his head. «You know her better than anybody. Can she handle the power and responsibility you've given her?»

Christy didn't like the way they talked about her as if she wasn't there, but she understood this was something the men had to work out between themselves first. After all, they'd known each other longer than she'd even been alive. She was the newcomer here. She was the one who had to prove herself.

«Her heart is pure and almost too self-sacrificing.» He kissed the top of her head. «She'll be a strong addition to our people and she'll protect her friends to her last breath.»

Atticus stepped forward. «It could be useful to have a woman who can help protect our mates. For one thing, no one would ever expect it of her. For another, Lissa and Kelly already know and trust her. Maybe they'll be able to learn some defensive skills from her, once she's trained.»

Marc seemed to think through the possibilities. Sebastian pointed to the silent, half-Asian vampire who sat nearby, observing. «Hiro's already started her training.»

«How good is she?» Marc asked the sensei.

Hiro smiled for the first time since entering the room. «She's a natural. Light on her feet, with a cat's grace.» Hiro nodded in Matt's direction. «She will surprise anyone who challenges her when she's ready. I have no doubt.»

Christy enjoyed the warm feeling Hiro's words inspired, but at the same time worried she would never be able to live up to his expectations. Still, she would try. She'd enjoyed their lesson the night before and had looked forward to renewing the experience tonight, until all this happened.

«My intention was to make her strong enough that she never felt threatened by me or any other man ever again,» Sebastian said. She leaned into him, needing his warmth, his reassurance. «I wanted her to face her past and conquer it before we could start our new life together. I figured when the divorce was final, we could get married.» He squeezed her, a hint of playfulness entering his tone. «Or we could go on living in sin for the rest of eternity.» A few chuckles met that statement before Marc brought them back to the matter at hand.

«The question remains,» Marc spoke directly to her, «can you handle the power you've been given? I trust Sebastian's judgment, but the real decision rests within your own heart, young one.»

Christy swallowed hard before answering. «I won't let you down.»

Marc nodded and moved back. Sebastian turned her in his arms, his gaze searching her face. «Then you'll confront Jeff about the divorce?»

He looked so hopeful, she couldn't bear to disappoint him, though the thought of facing Jeff, after what he'd done the last time, still gave her the willies. «If it'll help.»

Sebastian kissed her, right there in front of everyone. A wolf whistle finally penetrated the sensual fog that surrounded them, and he lifted his head with a rueful grin. «I love you.»

«I love you too, Sebastian.»

«Knock it off, you two. We've still got work to do.» Matt's teasing voice sounded through their connection.

She turned back around, heat staining her cheeks red with embarrassment, but the men seemed to have gone on without them. Sebastian held her around the waist, her back to his chest, his chin resting on top of her head as she tried to follow the conversation.

«When will she be ready?» Atticus was asking Hiro.

Hiro shrugged. «A week, maybe less.»

That soon? Christy couldn't believe she'd be ready for anything in so short a time, but she trusted Hiro to know his business better than she did.

«That gives us plenty of time to plan this out.» Cameron nodded as he turned to the others. «Will you keep up surveillance on Steel and this Mario character?»

Hastings nodded. «I have agents on it right now, but this pair is hard to track. Now that we know there's a mage involved, I can guess why. Do you have anything we can use to help dispel the mage's influence?»

Cameron thought about that for a moment. «Perhaps,» he finally answered. «I'll work on something tomorrow and stop by your office later in the day, if that's all right. I need to consult with a friend who knows this kind of magic better than I before attempting the spell.»

Hastings nodded. «That works for me.»

«And you can send the surveillance bills to me,» Sebastian said, drawing their attention. «You and your team deserve just compensation for your efforts, and it's our little problem that drew you into this, so it's only fair I pay you for your time.»

Hastings seemed to take Sebastian's measure for a moment before replying. «I've heard good things about you from Matt, though I'll be honest, I've never dealt much with your kind. Now that I've met you, and now that I know who and what we're dealing with, I'll do the job for free. Our current Lords have sent down directives about this kind of thing. They've impressed upon us how very real the Venifucus threat is. They even warned that we might have to work across species to solve this problem. I wasn't crazy about the idea, but I can see the advantages. I'll work with you on this. No questions. No bill either.»

«Very gracious of you, Mr. Hastings. Nevertheless,» Marc said, taking the floor, «your company will receive some compensation for the time you put in on this. If not by Sebastian, then by me and my organization. We have the economic resources you do not, but you have the manpower and the ability to track these mortals during the hours of daylight, both of which are very valuable to us. As Master of this region, I thank you for your willingness to assist.»

«Now then,» Cameron brought them back to the plan, «we have about a week to set this up. When we're ready to go, we'll have Lady Christina well guarded as she confronts her husband. Chances are, nothing will come of the initial meeting, unless we're extremely lucky.» Christy's stomach clenched at the idea of facing Jeff, but these amazing beings would back her up, and Sebastian was with her, in her very soul. She'd be okay. She had to do this.

«More than likely,» Cameron continued, making notes on a pad as he spoke, «Jeff Kinsey will contact Steel or Mario shortly after Lady Christina leaves his presence.»

«Why does he call me that?» she wondered silently.

«Because he first knew me as a British Lord and you are my mate. In his mind, you are therefore my lady.» Sebastian's calm voice answered her idle thought. His voice felt like a soft caress through her mind.

«Should I be calling you my lord?»

«Only under very special circumstances.» The scandalous image he sent to her mind made her heat rise to her cheeks.

«Oh, you are wicked…my lord.»

«Would you guys save that for later?» Matt groused. «Or are you purposely trying to give me a woody I can't explain, in front of all these old dudes?»

Christy had to camouflage her laughter by faking a cough, but Sebastian was much more in control.

«I'm going with Christina when she confronts Kinsey,» Sebastian spoke, his voice rumbling against her back.

«Are you sure that's wise?» Cameron asked. «Your presence will take any doubt out of their minds that she's still mortal.»

«I know, but I want to be there. I have to be there.»

«But I thought you wanted me to do this on my own?» She turned, breaking free of his light hold.

«I want you to confront your past, but I never said you had to do it all by yourself. I'm your mate now, Christina. Where you go, I go. You'll confront Jeff, but I'll stand beside you every step of the way.»

She shook her head. «I love you, but you don't know Jeff. If you come with me, it'll drive him to violence.»

A spark entered Sebastian's eyes. «Let him try.»

Christy laughed. It was a strange reaction, but she almost felt sorry for Jeff, with this amazing being wanting to tear him apart. Poor Jeff. He didn't have a clue just who-or what-he'd angered.

«Perhaps putting Sebastian out there will work to our advantage,» Hastings said from the sidelines. «For one thing, he can help protect his mate if things turn ugly. For another, he'll serve as a focus for the Venifucus. If she goes on her own, the mage will keep a sharp eye out, looking for her maker. If he's with her, the mage might relax his guard, not expecting any further threat.»

«Good point.» Cameron wrote on his pad. «All right, laddie. You'll go with your lady. We'll back you up.»

They talked a little more after that, but the majority of the points had been covered. Sebastian sent Christy off with Hiro to begin training while he dealt with the other men. It was a few hours, after a vigorous workout with Hiro, before Christy saw Sebastian again, but he'd been there, in the back of her mind all along. His existence in her mind was comforting, even when he wasn't an active presence. Just knowing they were connected on such an intimate level made her feel more secure than she'd ever felt in her life.