“Thats a fine deduction. You are creatures of free will. Thats as it must be. He can lure, he can lie, he can deceive. But he cannot force.”
“Can he kill?”
Rowena threw the ball again, farther this time to give Moe a longer chase. “Youre not speaking of war or of defense, of protection of innocents or loved ones. The penalty for taking the life of a mortal is so fierce I cant believe that even he would risk it.”
“The end of existence,” Dana supplied. “Ive done my research. Not death, not the passing through to the next life, but an end.”
“Even gods have fears. That is one. More is the stripping of power, the prison between worlds that allows entry to none. This he would risk.”
“He tried to kill Jordan.”
Rowena whirled, gripped Danas arm. “Tell me. Exactly.”
She related everything that had happened in the middle of the night.
“He took him behind the Curtain?” Rowena asked. “And there shed his blood?”
“Ill say.”
She began to pace, her movements so fretful that Moe sat quietly holding the tooth-pocked ball in his mouth.
“Even now were not permitted to see, to know . They were alone, you say? There was no one else about?”
“Jordan said something about a deer.”
“A deer.” Rowena went very still. “What sort of deer? What did it look like?”
“It looked like a deer.” Dana lifted her hands. “Except I guess it was the sort youd expect to find in places where the flowers look like rubies and so on. He said it was gold and had a silver rack.”
“It was a buck, then.”
“Yes. And, oh, yeah, it had a collar, a jeweled collar.”
“Its possible,” she whispered. “But what does it mean?”
“You tell me.”
“If it was him, why did he allow it?” Agitated, she began to stride up and down the verge, between wood and lawn. “Why did he permit it?”
“Who and what?” Dana demanded and dragged Rowenas attention back to her by shaking her arm.
“If it was the king,” she said. “If it was our king taking the shape of the buck. If this is true, why did he allow Kane to bring a mortal behind the Curtain without consent? And to harm, to spill his blood there? What war is being waged in my world?”
“Im sorry, I dont know. But the only one wounded, as far as I can tell, was Jordan.”
“I will talk toPitte ,” she declared. “I will think. He saw no one else—only these two?” “Just the buck and Kane.”
“I dont have the answers you want. Kane has interfered before, but its never gone this far. The spell was of his making, and the boundaries of it, his own. But he breaks them and is not stopped. I can do more, will do more. But Im no longer certain of the scope of his power or protection. I can no longer be certain that the king rules.”
“If he doesnt?”
“Then there is war,” Rowena said flatly. “And still we are not brought home. This tells me, whatever is or has happened in my world, it remains my fate to finish what I was sent here to do. I have to believe its your fate to help me.”
She took a deep breath, calming herself. “Ill give you a balm for your mans wounds.”
“Were sleeping together. I dont know if that makes him my man.”
With, an absentminded gesture, Rowena brushed this aside. “I must speak withPitte . Strategy is more his area than mine. Come, Ill get you the potion.”
“Just a minute. One thing. Jordan. Hes essential to my key?”
“Why do you ask what you already know?”
“I want confirmation.”
In answer Rowena laid her fingertips on Danas heart. “You already have that as well.”
“Is he part of this because I love him?”
“Hes part of you because you love him. And you are the key.” She took Danas hand. “Come. Ill give you the balm for your warrior, then send you on your way.” She cast another look at the darkening sky. “The rains coming.”
Chapter Twelve
BRAD dumped ice in a galvanized bucket, creating a cold if humble nest for a bottle of Cristal. He covered the exposed neck with a clean paint rag.
Behind him, Flynn and Jordan set up a card table. “The cloth for thats in me bag over there.”
Flynn glanced over. “Cloth?”
“Tablecloth.“ “Why do they need a tablecloth? Tables clean.”
“Just put it on the damn table.”
Jordan walked over to the bag and ripped it open. “And look, he got one with pretty pink rosebuds on it.”
“Matching napkins,” Flynn added, pulling them out of the bag.
“What a sweetie. I didnt know you had a feminine side.”
“When were done here, Im going to kick your asses just to reestablish my manhood—and because Ill enjoy it.” Brad took out the champagne flutes hed brought along, held them up to check for smudges. “Then maybe Ill tell the women this was my idea and negate your points.”
“Hey, I sprang for the flowers,” Flynn reminded him.
“I bought the cookies.” Jordan shook the bakery box.
“Ideas get more points than cookies and flowers, my friends.” Brad twitched the tablecloth to straighten it. “Its all about ideas and presentation. Which proves being in touch with your feminine side bags more women.”
“Then how come Flynn and I are the only ones here getting laid?”
“Give me time.”
“I really should clock you for saying that as regards my woman and my sister.” Flynn studied Jordans grin. “But its not only an accurate statement, it rubs it in Brads face, so Im letting it pass. How much time we got?”
“A while yet,” Jordan said. “Settlement should be pretty straightforward, but youve got lawyers, bankers, and papers, so itll take twice as long as you think it will.”
He stepped back, looked at the table set up in the foyer. He had to admit it was a nice touch there among the drop cloths and paint supplies. A splash of color and celebration against the primer-coated walls.
The women, he knew, would melt like ice cream in July.
“Okay, damn good idea, Brad.”
“Ive got a million of them.”
“I dont see why we have to clear out before they get here,” Flynn complained. “Id like champagne and cookies, not to mention the big sloppy kisses this is going to generate.” “Because its their moment, thats why.” Satisfied, Brad leaned against the stepladder. “Recognizing that will only generate more big sloppy kisses in the long run.”
“I like instant gratification.” But Flynn paused, looked around. “Its going to be a hell of a place, really. Innovative idea, good location, attractive setting. Its good for the Valley. Good for them. You should see some of the stuffMals setting up for stock. Over the weekend we went to see a couple of the artists shes going to feature. Cool stuff.”
“He went with her to see art,” Jordan pointed out, and with a grin tucked a finger in his mouth, then pulled up the side to mime a hook. “Can opera be far behind?”
“Well see whos smirking when youre sitting in Danas bookstore drinking herbal tea.”
“Thats not so bad. Brad heres probably going to have to get a facial to winZoe over.”
“There are lines that cant be crossed, no matter what the prize.” But Brad looked up the stairs. “Theyre going to need to decide on lighting. And some of the trim needs to be replaced. Could use a new sink in the John up there.”
“Youre planning on seducingZoe with bathroom fixtures?” Flynn asked. “You devious bastard. Im proud to call you friend.”
“Seducing her could be a very satisfying side benefit— after all, the stepladder got me a chicken dinner.”
“Chicken dinner? You can get a chicken dinner at the Main Street Diner, Tuesday-night special.” Sorrowfully, Flynn shook his head. “My pride in you is waning.”