"I know what you need," the older woman said, "and you will not find it here. To provide you with protection will endanger the lives of all those within."
"And yet by turning us away," I said softly, "do you not break one of the very basic rules of your order?"
Her gaze swept to me. The sheer level of power evident behind her gray eyes had the instinctive part of me shivering. "We are not turning you away. We are simply saying you cannot enter this building. This is a center of learning and a safe place for historical documents. What chases you could jeopardize all that we hold within."
"But you have no objection to us staying within the halo of the Brindle's outer ring of protection?" Ilianna asked.
Kiandra's gaze briefly left mine, and I couldn't help feeling a slight sense of relief. It was short-lived.
"You may stay," she said, her gaze back on mine. "And if the dark witch attacks, you will be protected. However, the halo was never designed to protect you from what now hunts Risa."
"So the Brindle couldn't protect us from the Aedh even if we were allowed inside?" The answer was pretty obvious from what she'd already said, but it never hurt to get clarification.
"No, it cannot."
I nodded and glanced at Ilianna. "Then we'll make camp here until we get Tao back and the consortium is dealt with, then we'll leave."
She frowned. "But that could take a few days—"
"I doubt it," I cut in. "In fact, I'm betting that Stane's phone will ring any moment now."
And right on cue, it did. "Shit," he said, digging his phone out of his pocket. "Sometimes you're very scary."
"No, she's just her mother's daughter." As Stane walked away to answer the phone, Ilianna glanced back at the three women and bowed again. "Thank you for your time, Kiandra. We shall endeavor not to inconvenience the workings of the Brindle."
Kiandra smiled, but it held very little warmth. "Your friends will not be here long enough to be a burden. And you, Ilianna, are welcome within anytime you wish."
Ilianna's smile was ghostly, but just as cold. "You know my answer to that."