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"The leader of this group would be tall and rangy, like a stripped oak tree," Cai said "He likes to wear careat military leader His hair is dirt brown, kept really short Soreen, some brown That hazel color people talk about"

Fane nodded "He always s earth He is the oldest and strongest a them"

"Yeah, that would be hinored the cold ball in his stomach that had suddenly twisted his intestines

Not that he'd had much doubt who it was Goddard never had played ith others, and he liked this section of the Appalachians Which hy Cai had always kept a wide berth around it when he was in a inia and Tennessee offered plenty of deep wood elbow room for the reclusive, psychotic and furry

Fane spoke to Rand again "If you confirht?"

Half the night was already gone Cai knew Rand hated the idea asDovia at theirto increase their et it over and done with, but the plan would likely work best if he thought through all angles of it And one extra night meant Rand could spend some time with his own kind With old friends

Cai ignored the sour feeling that gave hie was practically written on his forehead No reason to be an ass and deny Rand a good night before they walked into a den of psychos

"Rand, have hio ho with his faht tomorrow"

"Come with us," Rand said Fane made a noise that drew Rand's attention

"He's not welcome, Rand," he said, low "I don't wish to be inhospitable, but I won't bring him to my family"

"Va," Cai noted "No reason to whisper"

Fane had the grace to look discomfited, but his countenance set "I'm sorry," he told Cai "But I can't risk them"

"They'll come to no harm from him, I swear it on my life," Ran

d said "I'hts If your reason for excluding him is to keep your home base protected, then you can't trust either of us there Now or in the future"

Rand spoke the words in a firm and courteous way, but Cai felt his reaction A noticeable part of hiht, have that deep-in-his-soul need for faainst it, knowing it wouldn't be what he truly wanted

What he wanted was Dylef's warhter in the kitchen, her ainst the pups as they swar faces, the teenagers co for an audience as they told their parents about their day at school A sirl, one with Rand's smile, was cradled in the crook of his elbow

"Youryou everywhere, I'll have to carry you on my back e hunt"

As he spoke to the child, there was an easy laughter in Rand's voice that Cai had yet to experience Would never experience, because what could he offer Rand even close to that?

Not that he'd want to That wasn't him Family man and joiner would not be on his tombstone if he had one Bastard prick, however; that would probably be hammered out in nice bold letters, by whoever felt any kind of affection for him

Cai stepped forward "I have no interest in being under your roof," he told Fane "Rand is free to go with you, free to stay with you, and I won't use whatever coainst you You don't have to trust me when I tell you that, if you trust his word If he believes ht with your family He deserves it"

Rand opened his mouth to speak, but Cai cut across him "While no, I can't release him from his honor bond, I'm the last person who'd hold him to it I'd rather hi so danored Fane's look of surprise andswift and far tonight to hunt, so I'll touch base with you at dusk tomorrohere to meet"