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“As will I,” Morgan told her

She felt oddly choked up but ed to say, “I appreciate that, from all of you”

“Well” The general gave her a smile meant to comfort her, she suspected And that did not bode well for her hopes of a reconciliation with Darien In Morgan’s eyes, she saw doubt the Deive her this final time “We’ll be on our way now Rafe and Landford will continue to patrol on our side of the border, as a precautionary measure”

“Tanner and I will agree upon shifts too,” she said, her voice reflecting her dis Darien and losing his confidence in her—perhaps even his love

“Be careful,” Morgan told her

“We will”

Jade walked back inside the cottage, securing the door behind her, since she didn’t anticipate any other visitors Least of all Darien

She stood in the doorway of her bedrooainst the frame and her arms crossed over her chest She stared at the enorood portion of the rooe, for iven it to her and they’d shared several beautiful nights underneath those sensuous covers

Pushing away from the doorframe, she strolled over to the bed and ran her hand over the satin sheets and the soft, suede duvet In her es of her and Darienlove Their liues twisting and teasing

As her palaze fell to her hand She stopped stroking the duvet and re A wave of emotion washed over her as she placed it on the mantle of the fireplace Then she left the room

Curling up on the sofa in the living room with a throw that matched the ice-blue drapes in color and was made of warm chenille, she rested her head on a pillow and closed her eyes The consternation she felt over angering Darien and the tension and fear she’d experienced ue fro the fire wraith Exhaustion consumed her, which she decided was a welcomed sensation She was too tired to think, too tired to analyze, too tired to separate all her feelings

So she concentrated on ta them down and, shortly thereafter, fell asleep

The next s on herherself up and changing clothes before riding into the village Her first stop was thehall, where she found Tanner

Despite her emotional strife, she still had work to do

“The demons Rafe and Landford will continue their patrols on their side of the boundary,” she told the other slayer “But we should resume our watch as well”