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Lorenzo remained still a moment, as if unable to believe that anyone so depressed and passive as Balthazar would take a stand-- woo Balthazar could feel the anger within Lorenzo, the frustration of a denied kill, and the certainty that he would pay for this defiance later

But not no they needed shelter in the ht would awaken too er be a clandestine, unknown act It had becoerous to risk

With a scowl, Lorenzo swept past Balthazar He stomped his entire way up the stairs, like a spoiled, thwarted child Martha sluainst her doorjamb in relief "Thank you, sir He was most insistent, sir"

"I know they tell you to be kind to the guests," Balthazar said "But you don’t have to put up with that You shouldn’t It’s not safe You htened, or unsure--then be wary Take whatever precautions you must Do you hear me?"

Martha nodded A curl of her dark hair fell across her rosy cheek, and for a moment Balthazar remembered what it had been like to feel desire--real desire, human need, not this shadow of lust that Constantia deer another huirl wasof him but noble motives "Why do you travel with such people? They’re not--they’re not gentlefolk Unlike you, sir"

"I have nowhere else to go"

"Anywhere else would be better, I should think" As if afraid she’d overstepped her bounds, Martha flushed, stepped backward, and gave hi her door soundly

Anywhere else would be better

More than that--Martha had called hientleman He had saved her from Lorenzo, and even if there would be consequences for his action, this girl would not be the one to bear them

Was it possible there was a place for hi other than a monster?

It seemed impossible--yet less impossible than it had always been before