Sure, it was a bad idea to be fighting a war on two fronts. And yes, things were easier now that the two races had teamed up, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. Everyone else got to enjoy the benefits of the shiny new treaty while she was stuck here, unable to fight alongside her people.

Not fair. Not even close.

But that was life for you. Nothing was fair, which was exactly why she was pouring her heart and soul into teaching those kids how to survive. Fighting wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t civilized. What use was it trying to make the kids pretend that it was?

Then again, there was some value in pretending. She’d been doing so for weeks and it had served her well.

She finished picking up the gear and headed inside.

The unbelievably beautiful Logan and his even more stunning wife, Hope, were waiting inside the doors. The kids had all been tended to and had gone on their way, which meant that two Sanguinar were waiting for her.

Not a good sign.

“What’s up?” she asked.

Logan threaded his fingers through Hope’s in a move so casual, Lyka didn’t think he was even aware of the act. “Joseph wasn’t pleased that we were healing the children. Or, more accurately, he wasn’t pleased that they needed healing.”

“I know. His royal highness already expressed his displeasure with me.”

“We can’t afford to upset anyone right now,” said Hope, sliding her honey-blond hair behind her ear. “Everyone is too uneasy about what Connal did.”

Logan’s expression darkened with anger. “Even we Sanguinar still can’t believe what he did. Stealing a child? It’s unconscionable. But she’s right. We have to ease the fears that run rampant here. Nothing we do can upset anyone.”

“So you’re just going to bend over and do what Joseph says?” asked Lyka.

“Aren’t you?” said Hope.

“I want to make nice, but it’s hard to do when he’s so very wrong.”

“He told us he would let us know his decision in a couple of days,” said Logan.

“And he expects us all to sit on our hands until then? I don’t think so.”

“Whatever you’re planning isn’t worth a war,” said Logan.

“I’m saving lives. Every lesson those kids learn might be the one that keeps them alive someday.”

“And what about all the lives we’ll lose if the treaty between your people and the Theronai is broken? What about all the young Slayers who will be down one powerful group of allies because you couldn’t wait two days for Joseph to think about what you’re doing and realize you’re right? Give the man a chance to see your side of things. Convince him to rule in your favor.”

As much as Lyka hated it, Logan was right. She hadn’t thought her actions all the way through. As usual, she was letting her hot-blooded Slayer side rule her emotions. “How am I supposed to do that? I’ve already stated my case. He knows where I stand. The ball is in his court now.”

Logan scoffed. “Hardly. If you think you’ve made all the moves available to you, then you have a lot to learn.”

Always open to learn new strategies, Lyka asked, “What do you suggest?”

“He’s a man. You’re an attractive woman.”

“And?” asked Lyka.

Hope hid a grin. “He’s telling you to use your feminine wiles to sway Joseph to your way of thinking. A man is much more inclined to do what a woman wants if he thinks it might get him laid.”

Lyka let out a bark of laughter. “Really? That’s your big play? Let him fuck me?”

“That’s not what she said,” said Logan. “I’d never suggest exchanging sexual favors for a ruling on your behalf. That’s not to say you shouldn’t do it. I’d simply never suggest it, for fear such advice would come back to haunt me.”

Lyka shook her head. “I’m not sleeping with Joseph just to get my way.”

“You don’t have to. Just make him think you might.”

“Hell, no,” said Lyka. “I’m not teasing him or leading him on, either.” She couldn’t get that close. He might touch her. She didn’t know if he’d be able to tell what she was if he did that, but she wasn’t taking any chances.

“It’s not like that,” said Hope. “All you have to do is befriend him. Make him like you. He’ll want to make you happy if you’re friends.”

Lyka shook her head. “It’s no wonder everyone is suspicious of you guys. You ride that gray area pretty hard.”

“There’s nothing wrong with what we’re suggesting. And, as you said, what you’re doing is saving lives. Is spending a few hours with Joseph really such a hardship that it’s not worth the lives of those children?”

“Now who’s playing dirty?” she asked. “Why the hell do you care so much whether or not I get to teach my classes? What’s in it for you? You do all this healing without asking for my blood to fuel your efforts, and all I have to do in return is make sure that it’s either you two or Tynan who patches them up. Aren’t you supposed to demand payment in blood?”

“Hope and I sustain each other now. We have far less need for blood than the rest of our kind.”

“That doesn’t answer my question. What’s in it for you?”

The two shared a secret look that spoke volumes—volumes Lyka couldn’t even begin to understand.

Finally, Logan spoke, but it was clear he was choosing his words carefully. “Most of these children are wounded beyond what you can see. Their emotional scars run deep. Every time we heal their bodies, it gives us the chance to touch their minds and work toward healing that part of them as well. It’s a slow, delicate process—one made much faster by the sheer frequency of opportunities to heal that your little lessons provide. Baby steps, as it were.”

“That’s it? You’re doing all of this as some kind of magical therapy?”

“These children are blooded. The lives of our kind depend on them growing up and having children of their own. Without a continuation of their bloodlines, the Sanguinar will starve. Emotionally damaged children do not tend to live long enough to become parents. And those that do often pass on their scars. If we heal them now, we prevent all of that pain and loss.”

Lyka stared at the couple. “There’s more to it than that. What aren’t you telling me?”