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Several children lounged around, and a couple adults were sipping coffee, keeping watch over everything When Andra ca and stared

"What is this place?" she asked Paul

"We call it Dabyr It’s home for about five hundred men, women, and children"

"You mean those kids live here? It’s not just a vacation spot?"

"That’s right"

"Why?"

"Soh most of them are orphans under our care Today was a school day, but now that the school day is over, they hang out and do kid stuff"

"But it’s summer"

Paul smiled "We like to keep them busy so they stay out of trouble"

"They don’t look like they’re causing any trouble to me," said Andra

"That’s usually when they’re at their worst Especially the teens They’re always planning soainst the confines of this place"

"I would have loved to have a place like this to go when I was a kid"

"You say that now, buthere They can stay here, or they can die when the Synestryn hunt therates on the more rebellious teens"

"Do they make any other kind?" she asked

"Not since I’ve been alive"

They passed through the dining area and turned right, entering a long hallway "Where are we going?"

"I thought we could check to be sure Nika is settled in o see Joseph Rayd"

His wide shoulders stretched the gray knit of his shirt, letting her see the yue of muscles over his back His dark blond hair was mussed, and from her side view she could tell he was in desperate need of a shave

Or maybe not The soft scratch of those whiskers over her skin would be a pleasurable sort of pain--the kind a wo when it ca her pleasure

"Who is Joseph Rayd?"

"The unlucky bastard as elected to lead us He keeps us all in line--as much as anyone could He’ll need to know about you and Nika"

"He’s going to agree to help her, right?"

"He will Nika is one of ours now"

Andra let out a slow breath of relief She was sure that if anyone could help Nika, it would be these people

Paul led her down another long hallway that reh they were farther apart than in any hotel she’d stayed in At a door near the end of the hall, he slid a key card in the lock and opened the door for her to enter first

Andra was shocked to find that though it looked like a hotel room from the outside, inside it looked like a normal home The place was neat, with only a few pieces of art on the walls--all seascapes One as lined with shelves that groaned with the weight of hundreds of books The couch andrecliner orn, but looked comfortable, and the flat-screen TV nearly took up one wall all by itself A small kitchen was tucked into one corner, with a round table and two chairs crowding the space

"Took you long enough," said Madoc in a low voice He quietly shut the door he’d just come out of so the latch didn’t even click In his hand was an eet in an had Nicholas pop the lock remotely" Madoc went to Paul’s kitchen and ducked his head to peer into the refrigerator

Andra nodded to the glass "Did you get her to drink?"

"Yeah She’s sleeping again, though"

"Good Where did Morgan go?" asked Andra

Madoc pulled out a beer, opened it, and took a long pull from the bottle "I’m sure he went to tell everyone we’ve found twowith o see Joseph," said Paul

"Then I’ here with Nika" Madoc pulled a chair out froht space He leaned back and got co to leave anyti nod "Fine Stay" He turned to Andra "You should stay here, too"

"I think I should talk to this leader guy with you Just in case he needs any convincing to help Nika"

Paul’sto be a proble, then I can make sure it’s not"

"Suit yourself"