A faint blush rose to Selma’s cheeks at the casual accusation. She had indeed had to resort to tears to ensure Kain was pliable enough to listen to her reasoning for putting herself and his baby in harm’s way, but she wasn’t about to admit to that. It wasn’t exactly a dignified tactic.

“It’s the best shot we have at capturing the prince. He thinks I belong to him, so when our double agents let him know I’m being kept here and guarded by you while Kain is out looking for him, he’s likely to try to steal me away. Without me, you would have a hard time luring him out.”

“And without you here, this wouldn’t be so fucking dangerous,” he shot back, giving her a less-than-approving glance. “You do know what will happen if you’re hurt, right? I mean, you’ve seen the husk that is my father—you must realize that Kain will end up exactly like that if you’re lost to him. And yet here you are, willingly playing bait.”

Selma cocked an eyebrow. She wasn’t entirely sure if Kesh’s reluctance was toward her personally, or if he just resented her pheromones and their effect on him.

“Well, I’m certain you’ll keep me safe.” There was just a touch too much sweetness in her voice.

He grunted and leaned back against the wall. “Or you could just blast the bastard with that pretty light of yours. Oh, wait—that’s right. You still have little to no control over it.”

“Is there something you’d like to say?” she snapped, finally fed up with his attitude. Ignoring his demonic appearance, she rested her hands on her hips and rounded on him so she could give him her best glare.

Kesh ignored her combative stance, not even bothering to afford her more than a short glance. “Only that my brother is way too lenient with you. You’d be far less likely to get anyone killed by knitting a blanket or painting a sunset, or whatever Breeders normally do.”

Selma’s mouth fell open in outrage at his casual sexism, but before she managed to form a ripping retort, the window exploded inward.

She could only have been out for a moment, because when the darkness retreated she was still on the floor and sporting several stinging cuts from where the glass had sliced her skin.

Someone said something above her, but it sounded like it came through water. She shook her head to clear the foggy sensation, only to be hoisted up by her waist the next second and shoved behind a wide, leather-clad back.

Kesh’s back.