“What?” I asked, then turned to the door as the music rose when Trent entered. Dr. Anders went to tattle on me, and the music faded as the door shut and the light vanished.

Quen’s eye twitched, telling me he knew Trent was here. He took a careful breath, then, softly so he wouldn’t cough, he said, “If I fail, will you take my position as head of security?”

My jaw dropped, and I pulled away. “Oh, hell no,” I said, and Quen’s smile widened even as his eyes shut to hide that unsettling seeing-around-corners glint.

Trent came up beside me. I could sense his irritation at me for not waiting for him, and under that, his gratitude that someone, even if it was me, had been with Quen.

“I didn’t think you would,” Quen said. “But I had to ask.” His eyes opened to fix on Trent beside me. “I had someone else lined up if you said no. Can I at least get you to promise to help him when he needs it?”

Trent shifted from foot to foot as his tension looked for an outlet. I went to say no, and Quen added, “From time to time, if the money is right and it doesn’t compromise your morals.”

The scent of silk and other people’s perfume grew stronger as Trent became more upset. I glanced at his frustrated worry, then back to Quen struggling to take another breath. “I’ll think about it,” I said. “But I’m just as likely to haul his ass in.”

Quen’s eyes closed in acknowledgment and his hand rolled palm-up in invitation. My eyes pricked again. Shit. Shit. Shit. He was slipping. His need for support had surmounted his pride. I hated this. I hated it!

Hand shaking, I slipped my warm fingers into his cool grip, feeling his fingers tighten about mine. My throat closed, and I angrily wiped at my eye. Damn it all to hell.

Quen’s posture eased, and his breathing evened out. It was the oldest magic in the universe, the magic of compassion.

Dr. Anders began to pace from the window to the dresser. “It wasn’t ready,” she muttered. “I told him it wasn’t ready. The blending had only a thirty percent success rate, and the linkages were weak at best. This wasn’t my fault! He should have waited!”

Quen squeezed my hand, and his face crinkled in what I recognized as a smile. He thought she was funny.

Trent left the sunken area, and I relaxed. “No one is blaming you,” Trent said, a hand on her arm in solace. He hesitated, then said without emotion, “Why don’t you wait outside.”