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His shoulders slu Dorien look every one of his forty-five years

"No," he said without turning around "I won’t stop you, Lyra Just know that if you do this, I won’t be able to save you No , I have to be Alpha first and a father second I must uphold the law So to prove I can do this," Lyra replied, feeling a little desperate to gain even a bit of support He was her father It wouldfor her, if only silently "Have some faith in me Just a little Please?" she asked

He turned his head to the side, and the save her was sad

"It’s not about faith," he said Then he left the rooo, watched the door shut behind him, and then put her head in her hands and closed her eyes

"Yes, it is"

Chapter FOUR

JADEN? WHAT ARE YOU DOING in here all by yourself? Hiding?"

Jaden looked up, startled by the warh the silence he’d been sitting in for the better part of an hour His first thought was to hide the necklace he’d been toying with, but it was already too late for that He’d assumed no one would bother hi a particularly friendly cat, this was one of the rooms in the mansion that hadn’t been renovated yet No television, and nothing of interest except for some hideous floral furniture, meant solitude Usually

He should have known better

"Uh-oh You’re brooding," Lily said, narrowing her eyes when she leaned into the rooru it in toward his body "Your husband broods I’"

She raised her eyebrows at the necklace disappearing into his fist, but didn’t see about it Yet Instead, she walked in, settled herself on the ugly couch across fro way toward s his ruffled fur, Jaden had to admit And of course, she kneould

He wasn’t at all sure he liked how quickly she’d figured hi Yes, Ty broods But he’s usually got a good reason for it And it’s fun to tease him out of his moods" She cocked her head "You’re cute, Jaden, but I don’t think the methods that ith Ty are really appropriate for this situation, so you’re going to have to just tell "

It would be so easy to lean on her, Jaden thought He’d liked her fro nu up on her doorstep to becoree In the past, there were a few moments when Jaden had wished she’d been meant for him, that he’d been the one sent to find her Lily was a beauty, and as strong as they came But she and Ty were perfectly ly happy

He was glad for the ache in his gut Why couldn’t he just be happy?

Lily frowned suddenly as soain, is it? I’ve got Ty recruiting uards, but it’s a slower process than I’d like, and the Council see because they would like you, and all of us, to go away We don’t belong in the club, Lily It’s easier for them if the Lili a blind eye"

Lily swore softly,shouldn’t have such a foul vocabulary He was sure that he and Ty had been bad influences

"You’re right I know you’re right," Lily said, shaking her head "I didn’t think this would be easy, but I never iined that the Council would be so…"

"Hostile?" Jaden supplied "These are men and women who’ve actively participated in the suppression of o out of their way to hurt us--most of the" He leaned back and looked at Lily She looked very young, and very vulnerable, in that er on that traitor Nero’s head

He should have taken Arsin&ouht, and saved all of theht have taken her place, there would be no threat anywhere near as great as the ancient queen Arsin&oue wasn’t about her dynasty’s liberated slaves anymore She’d been humiliated And she would make the Lilim pay until she was satisfied

Lily rubbed one hand restlessly over the frayed fabric on the arm of the couch

"Well, whatever anyone thinks, if we catch anyArsinöe’s ass before the Council I ets to pick off ry and down a few hundred slaves"

"I’ve been out looking nights," Jaden said, "and I haven’t seen anything It’s been aMaybe they’ve knocked it off"

But he didn’t believe it, and he saw Lily didn’t either