From the beginning, Tegan, you were more brother to me than any kin by blood. You still are.” Tegan felt likewise, in spite of all they’d been through. Maybe because of it. “I’ll always have your back, Lucan. You can count on it.

What did Mira show your attacker last week? he asked, desperate to turn the attention away from himself now. Yakut shrugged. Only he can know. The girl has no knowledge of what her eyes reflect. Thank God for that. Niko hated to think of the education she might have just gotten otherwise.

So much for keeping things business when it came to Jenna Darrow. If this had been a test, he figured he’d just failed it with flying colors.

It kept him alive, he was certain; even more, it kept his darkest of his demons at bay.

Pain? He could handle that, no problem; it was the idea that the female he loved was suffering that made him want to either punch something or vomit in the corner.

I consciously try not to play favorites with my characters or my books.

Im honored to assist, Reichen told Lucan and Tegan as the three men loaded the last of the bags and weaponry. Ive often wondered what it might be like to stand among the Order as one of your own. Be careful what you wish for, Lucan drawled. Depending how things go, theres a good chance we could end up knighting you on the field.