Definitely yes. There’s so much I don’t know, so many things I’ve tried to learn, but my father’s ways aren’t mine.”
“His is dark magic, worked with blood and the energy gained from stealing a life force. Ours is a little different.” He caught Lily’s eye and winked. You might want to explain the source of our power to him. I’m sure he’ll be interested.
Then he took Lily’s hand and held it tightly, and there was something in his eyes that gave her pause. She tried reading him, but her father’s shields were powerful. Right now they were stronger than she’d ever sensed. “Lily? I think your mother and I learned our lesson with Alex. This must be your decision. Do you want Sebastian to stay? He’s taken the first capsule. I’ve told him I would like for him to remain among us until we know for sure he’s Chanku, but it’s really up to you.”
She gazed directly at Sebastian. “Actually, it’s up to you. I think the question is, Sebastian, do you want to stay here?”
He reached for her hand and wrapped his long fingers around hers. “Try and make me leave.”
“Good.” Now, this could get awkward. “Dad, I’ve given my cottage to Alex and Annie for the night. Are any of the guest rooms here at the house made up?”
He raised one very expressive eyebrow. “Alex and Annie?”
“Yep.”
“Interesting. And you don’t mind?”
“No, Dad. I don’t mind. Guest rooms? Available?”
Both eyebrows this time. “How many?”
She raised her own, right back at him. “One.”
He cast an appraising glance over Sebastian and then leaned across the bar and kissed Lily’s cheek. “Take your pick, sweetheart. I’ll see you two in the morning. Sebastian?”
“Yes, sir?”
“Be sure and tell her about the bodyguards. And, Lily? Explain to Sebastian the power behind our magic.” Then with a final glance her way, he left the two of them alone.
Lily tossed back the rest of her cognac, stood, and took Sebastian’s hand. “You can tell me once we get to our room. Do you have any bags?”
“I wasn’t intending to stay.” He laughed. “I didn’t plan well at all. All I could think of was getting to you, apologizing to you, and hoping like hell you’d see me. I just caught a plane, didn’t even pack a toothbrush, and flew into Kalispell. Picked up a rental and came straight here.” He stood and took both her hands in his. “I had to see you, Lily. I wasn’t sure if you’d even speak to me, but I was wrong to leave when I did.” He sighed. “Hell, I’m not even sure why I left.”
She tugged and he followed, out of the den and down the hall to her favorite of the guest rooms. It was almost dead center in the house, farthest from both her parents’ rooms and Alex’s mom and dad. And far from Alex, when he stayed here, though he often used her cottage when she was in the city. She wondered if he and Annie were there now.
She opened the door and led Sebastian inside. The room was large, more a suite than a bedroom, with a small kitchenette and a beautiful bathroom with a tub large enough for two.
She stopped beside the bed, aware that her heart was pounding and her body aching. She’d shifted and run, and had just enough sex with Annie to take off the edge until watching Annie and Alex had aroused her again. But first she needed to ask Sebastian a question that had been haunting her.
A question linked very much to her father’s concerns. “How close are you and your father tied? How much control does he have over you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Can he access your mind?” She sighed and took his hands in hers. Warm and strong, with long fingers and a dusting of dark hair at his wrists. A girl could feel safe holding hands such as these. Being held by these hands. His fingers laced in hers as she asked him the rest of the questions that had plagued her.
“These are the things I’ve been wondering. Was he the one who sent that sharp pain through my head at the reception? Could he have forced your feral side to dominate when we ran last night?” She paused, but her eyes never moved, and her gaze remained fixed on his. “Could he have made you leave my bed at precisely the time you did, just before that girl’s murder? I guess, Sebastian, what I want to