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“Very well But if you come doith me, Phoebe, there are conditions First, you are with me or with Ysabeau at all times”

Phoebe opened her mouth to protest, but Marcus’s serious look silenced her

“Second, if I tell you to leave the rooht to Fernando He’ll be in the chapel or the kitchen” Marcus searched her face and saary acceptance

“Third, do not, under any circureed?”

Phoebe nodded Like any good diplomat, she was prepared to follow Marcus’s rules—for now But if Matthew’s father was the monster some in the house seemed to think he was, Phoebe would do what she must

Fernando Gonçalves poured beaten eggs into the hot skillet, blanketing the browned potatoes already in the pan His tortilla española was one of the few dishes Sarah Bishop would eat, and today of all days theneeded sustenance

Gallowglass sat at the kitchen table, picking drops of wax out of a crack in the ancient boards With his collar-length blond hair and muscular build, he looked like a morose bear Tattoos snaked around his forearht swirls of color Their subject lass’s mind at the moht now he see about his roots, for his arms were covered with Celtic knotwork, runes, and fabulous beasts drawn froends

“Stop worrying” Fernando’s voice was as wared in oak barrels

Gallowglass looked up for a moment, then returned his attention to the wax

“No one will prevent Matthew fro Emily’s death is a matter of honor” Fernando turned off the heat and joined Gallowglass at the table, bare feet stone floors As he walked, he rolled down the sleeves of his white shirt It was pristine, in spite of the hours he’d spent in the kitchen that day He tucked the shirt into the waistband of his jeans and ran his fingers through his dark, wavy hair

“Marcus is going to try to take the blalass said “But Emily’s death wasn’t the boy’s fault”

The scene on thethe circulass had arrived at the te but silence and the sight of E inside a circle marked out with pale rocks The witch Peter Knox had been with her, his hands on her head and a look of anticipation—even hunger—on his face Gerbert of Aurillac, the de Cler on with interest

“Eh the silence with such force that even Gerbert stepped back

Startled, Knox released Eround, unconscious Sarah beat the other witch back with a single, powerful spell that sent Knox flying backward across the clearing

“No, Marcus didn’t kill her,” Fernando said, drawing Gallowglass’s attention “But his negligence—”

“Inexperience,” Gallowglass interjected

“Negligence,” Fernando repeated, “did play a role in the tragedy Marcus knows that and accepts responsibility for it”

“Marcus didn’t ask to be in charge,” Gallowglass grumbled

“No I noreed it was the right decision” Fernando pressed Gallowglass’s shoulder briefly and returned to the stove

“Is that why you ca to lead the brotherhood when Matthew asked for your help?” No one had been lass when Fernando turned up at Sept-Tours Fernando had avoided the place ever since Gallowglass’s father, Hugh de Clermont, died in the fourteenth century

“I a executed Hugh I was alone in all the world then, except for rief” Fernando’s tone was harsh “And I refused to lead the Knights of Lazarus because I am not a de Clermont”

“You were Father’s lass protested “You are as much a de Clermont as Ysabeau or her children!”

Fernando carefully shut the oven door “I ah’s mate,” he said, his back still turned “Your father will never be past tense to me”

“Sorry, Fernando,” Gallowglass said, stricken Though Hugh had been dead for nearly seven centuries, Fernando had never recovered frolass doubted he ever would

“As forat the wall over the stove, “Philippe disagreed”

Gallowglass resulasses of red wine and carried them to the table

“Here,” he said, thrusting one at Gallowglass “You’ll need your strength today, too”

Marthe bustled into the kitchen Ysabeau’s housekeeper ruled over this part of the château and was not pleased to see intruders in it After giving Fernando and Gallowglass sour looks, she sniffed and wrested the oven door open

“That is ly

“I know That’s why I’ a sip of wine

“You do not belong in the kitchen, Dolass with you”

Marthe took a packet of tea and a teapot from the shelf by the sink Then she noticed the torapped pot sitting on a tray next to cups, saucers, ar Her frown deepened

“What is wrong withhere?” Fernando demanded

“You are not a servant,” Marthe said She picked the lid off the top of the pot and sniffed suspiciously at its contents

“It’s Diana’s favorite You told me what she liked, remember?” Fernando smiled sadly “And everyone in this house serves the de Clermonts, Marthe The only difference is that you, Alain, and Victoire are paid handsorateful for the privilege”

“With good reason Otherpart of this family See that you remember that in future—and the le emphasis on his lordly title She picked up the tea tray “By the way, your eggs are burning”

Fernando leaped up to rescue them

“As for you,” Marthe said, fixing her black eyes on Gallowglass, “you did not tell us everything you should have about Matthew and his wife”

Gallowglass looked down into his ith a guilty expression

“Madarand note, Marthe stalked out of the room