“All right.” She reached out, laid a hand on his in a kind of comfort he sensed was innate in her. “All right,” she repeated. “You’ve got a lot at stake. But I’ve got a family, too. They’re upstate. I need to make sure they’re protected. I need to make sure I live to do what I’m meant to do. She knows where I am. She sent that thing to scare me off. I’m guessing she’s a lot more prepared than we are.”

“Then prepared is what we’ll get. I have to see what you’re capable of.”

“You want me to audition? Listen, Hoyt, your army so far consists of three people. You don’t want to insult me.”

“We have four with the king.”

“What king?”

“The black giant. And I don’t like working with witches.”

“Really?” She drew out the word as she leaned toward him. “They burned your kind just as hot as mine. We’re kissing cousins, Merlin. And you need me.”

“It may be that I do. The goddess didn’t say I had to like it, did she? I have to know your strengths and your weaknesses.”

“Fair enough,” she said with a nod. “And I have to know yours. I already know you couldn’t heal a lame horse.”

“That’s false.” And this time insult edged his voice. “It happens I was wounded, and unable to—”

“Mend a couple of broken ribs and a gash on your own palm. So, you won’t be in charge of injuries if and when we manage to build this army.”

“It’s welcome you are to the task,” he snapped. “And building the army is what we’ll do. It’s my destiny.”

“Let’s hope it’s my destiny to get home in one piece.” She signed the check, picked up her purse.

“Where are you going?”

“Home. I have a lot to do.”

“That’s not the way. We must stay together now. She knows you, Glenna Ward. She knows all of us. It’s safer we are, and stronger together.”

“That may be, but I need things from my home. I have a lot to do.”

“They’re night creatures. You’ll wait until sunrise.”

“Orders already?” She tried for flip, but the image of what had circled her in the subway came to her, very clearly.

Now he gripped her hand, held her in her seat and felt the clash of their emotions in the heat that vibrated between their palms. “Is this a game to you then?”

“No. I’m scared. A few days ago I was just living my life. My terms. Now I’m being hunted, and I’m supposed to fight some apocalyptic battle. I want to go home. I need my own things. I need to think.”

“It’s fear that makes you vulnerable and foolish. Your things will be there in the morning just as they are now.”

He was right, of course. Added to it, she wasn’t sure she had the bravado or the courage to step back outside into the night. “And just where am I supposed to stay until sunrise?”

“My brother has an apartment upstairs.”

“Your brother. The vampire.” She flopped back against her seat. “Isn’t that cozy?”

“He won’t harm you. You have my word on it.”

“I’d rather have his, if you don’t mind. And if he tries... ” She held her palm up on the table, focused on it. A small ball of flame kindled just above her hand. “If the books and movies have it right, his type doesn’t do well with fire. If he tries to hurt me, I’ll torch him, and your army’s down by one.”

Hoyt merely laid his hand over hers, and the flame became a ball of ice. “Don’t pit your skills against mine, or threaten to harm my family.”

“Nice trick.” She dumped the ice in her empty glass. “Let’s put it this way. I have a right to protect myself, from anyone or anything who tries to hurt me. Agreed?”

“Agreed. It will not be Cian.” Now he rose, offered his hand. “I will pledge this to you, here and now. I will protect you, even from him, if he means you harm.”

“Well then.” She put her hand in his, got to her feet. She felt it, knew he did by the way his pupils dilated. The magic, yes, but more. “I guess we’ve got our first deal.”

As they went down, turned toward the elevator, Cian cut across their path. “Hold it. Where do you think you’re taking her?”

“I’m going with him,” Glenna corrected, “not being taken.”

“It’s not safe for her to go out. Not until daylight. Lilith already sent a scout after her.”

“Check the magic at the door,” Cian told Glenna. “She can have the spare room tonight. Which means you get the couch, unless she wants to share.”

“He can have the couch.”

“Why do you insult her?” Temper sizzled in the words. “She’s been sent; she’s come here at risk.”

“I don’t know her,” Cian said simply. “And from now on, I expect you to check with me before you invite anyone into my home.” He punched in the code for the elevator. “Once you’re up, you stay up. I’m locking the elevator behind you.”

“What if there’s a fire?” Glenna said sweetly, and Cian merely smiled.

“Then I guess you’d better open a window, and fly.”

Glenna stepped into the elevator when the doors opened, then laid a hand on Hoyt’s arm. Before the doors shut, she flashed Cian that smile again. “Better remember who you’re dealing with,” she told him. “We may do just that.”

She sniffed when the doors shut. “I don’t think I like your brother.”

“I’m not very pleased with him myself at the moment.”

“Anyway. Can you fly?”

“No.” He glanced down at her. “Can you?”

“Not so far.”

Chapter 5

The voices woke her. They were muted and muffled so that at first she feared she was having another vision. However much she might have prized her art, she also valued sleep—especially after a night of martinis and strange revelations.

Glenna groped for a pillow to put over her head.

Her attitude toward Cian had leveled a bit after she’d gotten a look at the guest room. It boasted a sumptuous bed with lovely soft sheets and enough pillows to satisfy even her love of luxury.