Sighing, she nodded. "So when does the shield fall?"
"As soon as we go outside." Kerrigan looked past her, to Blaise. "Once I have enough power, I'll transport all of us from here into the future where Morgen won't be able to follow with her army. I figure the twentieth century should do."
"Does it matter? At least there if a dragon or gargoyle pops through, they'll get shot down by the humans before they come near us. They may be fierce, but not even they can survive napalm or an armed missile. Once radar registers them, they'll be dealt with and they know it. It should keep them out of our way at least for a while."
"What is the twentieth century?" Seren asked.
Blaise let out a deep breath. "A world unlike anything you can imagine." He looked back at Kerrigan. "It'll mess with her sensibilities."
"Can you think of someplace better?"
"Not really. You're right about their weapons. But do you think that'll keep Morgen at bay?"
"Nay. However, the Adoni will only be able to come through the portal two at a time without alerting the military. We should be able to handle that with little problem."
Blaise nodded. "What about the gargoyles who are with us? They don't exactly blend during daylight hours."
"Let them find a building to sit on. They're not my problem. All I promised them was an escape from Morgen. What they do after that is their business."
Blaise looked at her. "Have you ever noticed that he really enjoys being evil?"
"Aye." But the strangest part of all was that there was something about that that she found alluring, almost endearing. "What can I do to help in this?"
"Don't die," they said in unison.
"I can honestly say that I will do my best to stay alive."
"Good," Blaise said as he walked over to the window to look outside. "Garafyn is leading them down the hill as he promised."
Kerrigan was staring at her with an undefinable expression that tugged at her heart. There was something about it that reminded her of the boy she'd glimpsed the day before when they had shared their blood.
He wasn't as cold toward her as he was pretending, and it was the man in him that set fire to her blood. There was something about being in his presence that made her ache to want to touch him.
But they didn't have time for that now.
Kerrigan turned his gaze away from Seren toward Blaise. "Remember that shifting us through time will weaken me even more, and I won't be able to recharge from Seren again. It'll be up to you and the gargoyles to fight whatever might follow us through."
Blaise inclined his head. "Have no fear. We can handle it."
Kerrigan removed his left gauntlet and tucked it into his belt. "Then let us get this over with."
Blaise headed out first.
Seren paused by Kerrigan's side. The sunlight played in the dark waves of his hair. His eyes were black now, restless, and she wondered at what was causing his dour mood. "I trust you, my lord. I know you won't hurt us in this."
Kerrigan couldn't breathe as he stared down into those clear, trusting green eyes. God's blood, he couldn't remember ever being so naive. Even now he half expected Garafyn to betray them. It would be in the gargoyle's nature.
Just as it was in his nature to destroy.
Only he didn't want to destroy Seren. Frowning at her, he laid his hand to hers. She had more strength and courage than Morgen's entire army.
He bent down to inhale the scent of her hair before he placed a tender kiss to her lips. She tasted of innate goodness, of sweet womanhood, and in truth he wanted more of her. He wanted to take her upstairs and spend the rest of the day making love to her.
But he couldn't. They had a battle before them that wouldn't wait. He only hoped that he wouldn't fail her.
Pulling away, Kerrigan led the way from the castle, out into the bailey where Blaise was waiting for them.
He paused by the mandrake's side. "If I fall, take my medallion and get Seren out of here immediately. Hide her wherever you can."
"I will do my best."
"Good. Now let me go and do my worst."
He saw Seren meet Blaise's cautious gaze before they followed him onto the old wooden drawbridge. Reaching out for his dwindling powers, he summoned the earth's mist to help blind their enemies. So-called dragon's