“I just meant that you’re very fragile. And Max is … Max is …”

“A man?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my God, you’re a sexist pig on top of everything else!”

“What ‘else’?” he wanted to know. “What’s so wrong wi’ me? You dinna think there was anything wrong wi’ me a few minutes ago!”

“A few minutes ago we were equals. Now the only thing we’re equal at is being equally pissed off at each other. Only my reasons make sense!”

“And mine doona? You doona think there’s any danger in staying here?”

“That’s not the point! For the first time I’m somewhere where my affliction doesn’t make me stand out. For the first time I’ve found somewhere where being me is ‘normal.’ Do you really think I want to give that up?”

“You do if you’ve any sense in your head! ’Tis dangerous here!”

“ ’Tis dangerous anywhere there’s a goddamn sun!” she spat out.

“Och! I doona believe you’re talking like a madwoman. And here I thought you were a sensible girl!”

“I am not a girl. Nor am I a madwoman. You’re just a boorish pain in my ass who thinks his way is the only way and screw what everybody else thinks!”

She got up and scooped her panties up off the floor. “And now I’m going to go find a shower and some decent clothes. Because God forbid someone even looks at me the wrong way, you’ll be wanting to rip their arms out of their sockets! Then I’m going to call my mother. At least she’ll be happy to hear what I’ve got to say.”

“But … I doona want you tae go,” he said suddenly, his tone quiet and low. “Is that what you think? That I want you tae go?”

She frowned and looked down at her toes. “Well, what am I supposed to think? You’re having sex with me one minute and the next you can’t wait to ship me off to where it’s ‘safe.’ ” She looked up at him. “I don’t want to be safe. Not anymore. Safe is … safe is … kind of boring. You know? I’ve played it safe all of my life but these past few days have been like … like something out of an adventure story. And it’s been happening to me.” She pointed to herself. “Me. The queen of hiding and playing it safe.” She frowned again. “And if I had played it safe that morning in the woods I would have called the cops and left you out in the cold until they got there. I would have hidden in my house until it was all over with. But I didn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t.” She rubbed her hands together. “So don’t ask me to throw it all away. I don’t want any take-backsies. I don’t want to go backward. Can we please … please just take it one night at a time? If I feel I’m in too much danger believe me I’ll be the first to cry uncle and I will lead the charge in the other direction.”

He was frowning as well, and it was clear it was a difficult thing for him to wrestle with, the idea of letting her remain in an unprotected state.

“I know,” she said softly, climbing back on the bed and straddling his thighs. She took his face in between her hands and looked down deeply into his golden eyes. “I know it’s ingrained deep inside you to protect. I understand that you were made that way. Ihron told me your forger made you that way in order to force your loyalty.”

“Aye. He did, the bastard.” He sighed. “And now I’m going tae take you tae him.”

“You’re going to …?”

“Up!” He lurched up to his feet, taking her up with him. Instinctively she clutched around his shoulders and her legs wrapped around his waist.

“But why would you—?” She huffed in frustration. “I don’t understand!”

“Do you remember when I said there was someone here who would know how tae help us get this bloody thing off you?”

“Yes, but …”

“His name is Kamenwati.”

“Kamenwati. Your forger is here?”

“Aye. And from what I heard he knows what this is and verra likely can tell us how tae get it off you. Will you let me take you tae him?” He stopped moving, waiting for her reply. Doing his best not to force her to his will. Realizing that, she smiled softly at him and touched warm fingers to his serious mouth.

“I trust you to know what’s best … in this particular instance.”

He had to grin at her obvious stipulation. “Verra well. But first you’ll be putting on some decent clothing. We’ve a closetful here, just in case a new Bodywalker comes tae town and needs a wardrobe. It’s a thing,” he said at her quizzical expression. “The Bodywalkers like tae be prepared for everything.”

“Oh, I see. Yes. Clothes would be very nice.” As he walked them into the hallway she asked, “How is it that your forger is under the same roof as you are? I mean, how do you even keep from killing him where he stands? It seems to me that would be your first reaction.”

“Aye. First, second, and last. But he’s a powerful man and has defected from the Templars. A man like that, with his power, could help sway the way of the war. But there are other reasons, even more dangerous ones why we need him on our side. You see, there’s an evil god who—”

“Did you say a god?” she interrupted incredulously.

“Aye. I did. Kamenwati cast magic and accidentally resurrected a demon god named Apep into the female Templar leader’s body. Her name is Odjit. This god has more power than you can possibly imagine in him. Kamen says it will take time tae come tae fruition, and when that happens we’ll all be the first thing on his hit list. Now do you see? Do you see why I canna have you here? You’ve no defense again’ a regular Templar, never mind a demon god.”

“I see,” she said with a tight swallow. “But I still won’t go.”

“Gods, you’re stubborn, woman.”

“Aye,” she said smugly.

After he brought her to the closet of all women’s wet dreams, allowing her to find a pair of jeans that fit—almost, they were too long—and a pretty russet blouse that flattered her eyes, she fluffed her hair in a nearby mirror … then smoothed it … then fluffed it again.

“Ye gods woman, you’re no’ going out on a date!” Ahnvil said in exasperation. And she detected a hint of jealousy in the remark as well. For some reason that tickled her pink.