"Again, I know this," her grandfather insisted. "You are not the only one who Kylie confides in. But if this attack on the other girl was to draw Kylie out, then it means he doesn't know where she is.""But for how long?" Burnett asked. "Mario isn't one to let up."

"Perhaps, but if he's already found his way into the camp to get to this girl, why would you have me believe that he couldn't do it again to get to Kylie?"

"But-" Kylie spoke up, yet Burnett's direct glance at her seemed to ask for her to let him deal with this. She clamped her mouth shut, although it irked her to do it.

"I see your concerns," Burnett said. "However, the attack didn't take place on camp grounds." He gave the glass of tea another twirl in his hands and looked down at the amber-colored liquid as if debating whether to drink it. Then he raised his gaze. "Another factor to consider is that we have more bodies to help fight this rogue and his followers. And while I know the idea probably enrages you, I also have the FRU's assistance. With the office in Fallen, near the camp, I can have a hundred trained people there in a matter of minutes."

Her grandfather frowned. "You are right, it enrages me." He paused and Kylie saw him grinding his teeth before he spoke again. "I must tell you that the only reason I sit at the table with you is because my granddaughter holds you in such high regard. In the absence of her real father and the situation of her home life, you have in many ways stepped into the role of a father figure for her."

Burnett ran his finger over the condensation of his tea, almost as if uncomfortable at hearing how highly Kylie thought of him.

"I pray you deserve her respect." Her grandfather breathed in again. "That said, your logic here confuses me. You claim to be keeping my granddaughter from the FRU and yet you would call them to assist in protecting her. How is this feasible?"

"I'm assisting in preventing them from testing her simply because I'm not sure the tests are one hundred percent without risks. I believe their eagerness to find answers might prevent them from completely considering Kylie's best interest. But please don't take this to mean that I think they are capable of doing what they did to others in the past. The FRU isn't perfect, Mr. Summers, no organization is, or ever will be, but it's not the same organization that it was back then."

Silence filled the room. The tension hung thick in the air.

"Let me take Kylie back to Shadow Falls where I believe she is the safest," Burnett continued. "I will have guards waiting and watching for Mario to make his move. When he does, we will be ready. We will catch him and put a stop to this once and for all."

"And we can do the same," her grandfather added, his tone tight again.

Burnett's grimace deepened. "Look me in the eyes and tell me honestly that you believe you and your people are capable of handling this."

Her grandfather laced his fingers together-tight-and set his gripped hands on the table. Then he stared at his hands as if weighing Burnett's words.

When he raised his gaze, he met Kylie's eyes, and then returned his frown to Burnett. "I do not agree with your plan, nor your assessment of my or my people's ability to protect one of our own. Albeit I may be holding on to my prejudices of the past. Prejudices I am certain will be a part of me until I take my last breath."

He cleared his throat and let go of a sigh. "However, if my granddaughter has told me anything since she's been here, it's that she is her own person. So while I hope she will listen to my counsel on this, I'm aware that the decision will be hers. I have lost too much family in this life and I care too much about herto push her away by trying to hold on too tight."

Tears stung Kylie's eyes again. She reached over and touched her grandfather's hands. He turned his palm over and held her hand. His gaze found hers. "Stay here, Kylie. Stay and continue to learn who you are and where you belong." His touch, so much like that of her father's, sent warmth through her.

And a part of her wanted to give in. But at what cost?

Chapter Four

Before Kylie spoke, she saw in her grandfather's expression that he already knew her decision. And she saw the pain she was causing him. She felt it, too. His pain.

"You won't lose me. Where I live won't change anything. I'll always be your granddaughter. But I think Burnett has made some good points. I need to go back." It was, she thought, the only choice she could make.

Shadow Falls was her home, but that was only half the reason for her decision. Deep down she knew that Burnett was right. As gifted as her grandfather and his compound of chameleons were, they had spent the majority of their lives avoiding confrontation, not preparing for it. They were no match for Mario and his murdering kind.

Problem was, Kylie wasn't sure Shadow Falls could take on Mario, either. And if they did, how many more like Helen would be hurt, or worse, killed? It wasn't as if it hadn't happened before.

* * *

As she matched Burnett's steps to the front gate, they remained quiet. Night was encroaching on them. Part of the western sky, with shades of pink, hinted at the sun's departure. When they arrived at the gate, he looked at her. "I'll call your grandfather to set up a time to pick you up tomorrow."

Kylie nodded; she had insisted she have time to say good-bye to her grandfather. But now her heart didn't want to see Burnett leave. They hadn't really gotten to talk. That last fifteen minutes had been her grandfather asking how Burnett had found them. Burnett explained that it had been through the real estate office. When her grandfather had sold his house, Burnett was able to find out who had handled the sale, and through sales records he'd discovered another property her grandfather had owned.