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I steeled ures everywhere Conleth wasn’t a serial killer; he was a s

I walked out of the office and into Ryu’s kitchen, where I pulled a glass down and filled it ater frolass in the sink When I turned around, Ryu was leaning back against his granite island, watching me

"One of those pictures looked suspiciously like an exploded Porsche"

He gave me a wry smile "I told you I had an accident"

"When did Conleth try to kill you?"

"Right before he disappeared That’s why I didn’t say anything I figured the threat was gone, no reason to frighten you"

I frowned I hated when Ryu coddled s in Ryu’s world, but I wasn’t a child

"How close did you get to capturing him?"

"Not very He’s extraordinarily powerful And he

can do things I’ve never seen before The way he travels, it’s like a fucking co

like hiether everything that had happened tonight and what it meant for me and for Ryu

"He obviously still wants you dead," I said to my lover He only nodded

"That’s not what I’h I’m worried that Conleth saw you"

"He wouldn’t come after me, would he?"

Ryu frowned "I don’t know, baby But there’s a good chance he would if he could, either to get to me or because he thinks you’re a pureblood"

I mulled over the i "What are our options, then?"

"Well, you could stay here I could protect you, but you’re also guaranteed to be a target Or we sle you back to Rockabill, but set Nell to watch over you" Ryu shrugged ruefully "I hate to say it, but you’re safest with her"

He read the doubt on my face before it could be articulated

"I know you find it difficult to take Nell seriously, but you should I’ve told you about hoerful a gnoth And that’s just her doing her daily thing Iine her pissed off"

"It’s not Nell, Ryu I don’t like the idea of leaving you like this, knowing there’s soet you"

"I know, Jane And I appreciate that But, really, what can you do?"

"I’m not completely inept," I said drily "I ca stalked by a killer, remember"

"I know, babe But this is different We didn’t understand the threat to you ent to the Co, I wouldn’t have delivered you right to him, believe me"

"But what if Conleth does follow me back to Rockabill? I’m not as worried about myself as I am about my family, my friends"

"Nell will understand how serious it is I’ll rew Nell nome

"Plus, there’s Trill--" My face went deadpan at Ryu’s suggestion I loved the kelpie, and she was an awesoher

"Ryu, my dad and my human friends are totally vulnerable…"