* * * * *
Michael, Lisette and the slayers awaited her return—with mounting anxiety if the stressful looks on their faces were any indication. Jade entered the community hall and Michael rushed toward her. She warned him off with a discreet lifting of her hand and he stopped in his tracks. Sparking conflict between both her former and her phantom lovers would not bode well for any of them.
Darien announced, “We’ve deduced it’s a rogue demon hunting Jade, not one from my kingdom. My general and I will see that whatever stalks her is tracked and removed from the village. I’ve asked her to remain in her cottage and I suggest no one visits her, lest either of you,” he said to Michael and Lisette, “find yourselves in jeopardy. I’m sure Jade would have difficulty reconciling any tragedy brought on by this unfortunate incident.”
She nodded.
Walker said, “Tanner and I will come by the cottage on a regular basis.”
“Very good,” Darien told them. “Morgan and I will cover the woods surrounding her house and the riverbank. You ought to keep a close eye on the village itself. I’ll restrict my demons from crossing the perimeter, so if you see anything suspicious, you’ll know it won’t be from my alliance and you have my permission to take action.”
The gravity of the situation made Jade’s stomach coil. She spared another glance at Darien, whose face was a mask of hard angles, revealing nothing.
Heavy footsteps on the stone floor drew her attention. A tall, blond-haired man strode toward them.
Darien explained, “This is my general. He’ll see that Jade makes it home safely.”
The newcomer nodded at her and she said, “Thank you. I appreciate the help.”
Michael looked agitated and opened his mouth to speak, but she quickly assured him, “It’ll be fine. They’ll find their demon and that’ll put everyone’s minds at ease.”
“But why is it stalking you?” he asked.
Jade couldn’t help but smile, wanting to alleviate some of the pressure, even if her own nerves wouldn’t settle. “I’m sure the king and his general will discover that quickly enough. Don’t worry about me. I have castle and slayer protection. I’m probably the most guarded human in thirty-five years.”
Lisette said, “Then do as they say. You tend to have a stubborn side. This isn’t one of those times it should prevail.”
“I understand.” She gave her friend a hug. A thought suddenly occurred to her and she added, “Damn, Lisette. I made a small mess at your library and didn’t get a chance to clean it up.”
She’d bled on the floor. Not something she wanted to say in front of everyone.
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Don’t make anything of it,” Jade was quick to warn her. “I’m obviously fully intact.”
This caused the older woman’s brow to dip and caught the interest of the others as well.
Darien intervened before anyone could question her. “We should be going.”
He turned abruptly and she followed, with Morgan and the slayers bringing up the rear.
She learned the general wasn’t a man of many words. He uttered not a one on the way to her cottage.
As she slid off the bare back of his cinnamon-colored horse, she said, “I’ll stay inside and wait for someone to tell me the danger has passed.”
He gave a sharp nod of his head. Clearly, something about her disturbed him. Likely the fact she was a mere mortal he had to look after.
“Well. Again, thank you for…everything.” She headed toward the front door, but Morgan finally spoke, making her draw up short.
“He might be immortal, but he’d still put his own existence on the line for you.”
She whirled around. “Excuse me?”
“Darien.”
She knew whom he’d meant. “Why?”
“Because,” he said in a measured tone, “not all demons are evil.”