“I suppose that means I have to put on my clothes again.” She reached for her nightgown. “And I don’t know if I want to have that talk now. I’d rather talk about the two of us and what we are together. Maybe I’d like to tell you about Fiona and the talk I had about her with Eve today.” She paused. “And perhaps I’d like to talk about leaving here and going away somewhere I could help you take down Bohdan.”

“No!”

“I thought that would be your reaction.” She was putting on her gown. “I’ll give you time to think about it. But you should know that’s what I’ve been doing. I have my own work and it’s not as if I intend to go after monsters like Bohdan. But this is different. You’ve said you believe Bohdan may target me? Then I should be there to help. There should be some way that I can be with you. Don’t you see?”

“I see that we should talk about it later.”

“It’s not only me. He could hurt MacDuff or any of his people. And I’d be responsible.” She moistened her lips. “He could hurt you. I don’t think I could bear that. I won’t bear it. I’d have to do something about it.”

“Listen to me.” His hands grasped her shoulders. “I’m the only one responsible for anything that happens to me. We both know that I’ve lived with that knowledge since the day that I was born. My loving parents drilled it into me that I was a bad seed after they found out that I’d inherited the family blood talent. They kicked me out to live with my uncle when I was fourteen, and they were probably right to do it. Some people are meant to be the protectors and others are meant to be the hunters. You’re definitely not a hunter, so stop trying to go down that road.” His hand was on her cheek. “Okay?”

“No. You’re talking bullshit. I’ve told you what I think about the way your parents treated you. It’s a wonder that you turned out as well as you have.” She swallowed. “I’ll let it go for the moment.” She met his eyes. “But not for long, Caleb. This is bothering me. I’m going to have to take care of it.”

His lips tightened. “Then I’d better make certain to do it myself before you get the chance.” He shrugged. “And I don’t have much time to go into it with you right now. I want to be out of here in the next hour. I still have the boat dock to check out.”

“Are you kicking me out?”