He was telling her the truth. He was always so strong and contained. Yet he was sitting there in that chair across the room, and she was suddenly aware of a weariness, perhaps even discouragement, that he rarely let her see. She couldn’t stand it. “Then stop working so hard at it,” she said jerkily. “Do you think I’m blaming you because Campbell died? I know that you did everything you could to save him. What happened wasn’t even your fault. Bohdan is a monster.” The words were spilling out. “But as usual, you think that you should have been able to perform some kind of magic and everything would have been fine. Well, it didn’t happen, and the reason I’m so upset is that you didn’t give me the opportunity to be there to help. How many times do I have to tell you that?”

“Evidently too many to count.”

“Then don’t do it again. We’re a family now. I won’t have either you or my child dying. Figure out a way that we can work safely together. I don’t care if you don’t like it or that it damages the ego of the Hunter.”

“It appears you’re already on your way to taking care of that for me.” He was smiling faintly. “But maybe if I study your technique, I’ll be able to follow in your footsteps.”

“It’s possible.” She drew a deep breath. “But not if you pull anything like this again.” She tried to joke. “I’m not about to let you go after I’ve taken so much time training you, but you’d definitely have to return to square one.”

“Heaven forbid.” He got to his feet and moved across the room toward her. He saw her slight withdrawal and shook his head. “I’m not in a hurry. I just wanted to make sure that the square-one rule wasn’t in force yet.” His finger pressing her cheek should have been rough and callused but the touch itself was gossamer soft. “What are you going to do tomorrow?”

“Research. I set Rodland to doing it, and it doesn’t seem fair if I don’t pitch in. There are probably some things I can do that he wouldn’t be able to.”

“I don’t doubt it.” He leaned forward and gently kissed her. “You’re the one who performs the magic. I’ll see you tomorrow, Jane.”

Then he was gone.

*  *  *

MacDuff’s Run
Next Day

“I don’t have time to talk to you, Caleb.” MacDuff looked impatiently over his shoulder as Caleb strolled into his office. “I have to approve the architect’s plans for the replacement houses for my staff that were destroyed. They’re having to live in the village right now.”