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“Orlando shot the sniper. The evidence died with the assassin, but we’ll get to the bottom of this. Right now,” Kian darted a grim glanceat Vladimir, “you might want to consider where to place that hot potato before your grandfather gets home.”

“Vladimir isn’t a problem,” Lucienne said. “I’m also the Siren. I don’t need Jed’s approval. My personal business is mine alone. Vlad will stay.”

“Hey, I’m still here,” Vladimir said. “I understand you guys are fascinated with me, but I’d appreciate it if you two would check with me first on how I’d like things to get done.”

“It isn’t easy for Jed,” Kian told Lucienne. “He’s fading, and you only get stronger.”

“Should I be blamed for being young and strong?” Lucienne said over Kian’s forlorn look. The power struggle between her grandfather and her hadn’t been easy on anyone, particularly Kian. But then it was never easy to have two Sirens. “Fine,” she sighed. “I’ll negotiate nicely with my grandfather.”

“Actually, I think I should talk to him,” Vladimir said. “I excel at talking.”

“Sure, you talked her right into that deep hole,” Kian said, glowering at Vladimir’s now sullen look. “Jed might like this idiot. You can never predict the man’s taste. He might even approve of the idiot going thousands of miles with you just to rob the monks.”

Lucienne felt her cheeks burning hot despite her blood loss. A light of delight flitted in her eyes. She knew Kian had finally accepted Vladimir, and that meant the world to her.

“I heard Mr. Lam has cultivated tastes,” Vladimir said.

“If you ever risk her life again,” said Kian, shooting the prince a malicious look, “I’ll take you out personally.”

“Fair,” Vladimir said. “But Lucia is the Siren. She must lead. She can’t and won’t cower behind anyone like an ordinary girl. And you know that, too. She’s a force of nature. She’ll continue to find herself in dangerous situations, but I’ll be with her every step to keep her safe.”

Kian growled.

Lucienne wouldn’t allow Vladimir’s mouth to turn things sour again. “Are you two ever going to let me rest?” she said miserably. “I’m in pain, I’m tired, and I’m so thirsty! And you two are giving me a headache. Will you be quiet for a minute?”

Kian and Vladimir immediately looked remorseful. The two fought to bring Lucienne water and complained about Lucienne’s needs being neglected. Dr. Wren snatched the bottle of water from Kian’s hand and shooed off Vladimir.

Lucienne sipped the water gratefully.

“As the Siren, you can never open your heart, especially to those who are closest and dearest to you,” Jed had said. “They’re the ones who have a chance to bleed you dry. And they will if you let your guard down for even half a heartbeat.”

Lucienne regarded Kian and Vladimir. She would put her life in their hands in a heartbeat. And with that trust, she sank into a dreamless sleep.

When she awoke again, she was back home in the Red Mansion, where Kian, Vladimir, and her warriors would keep her safe from dangers and dark plots. And that was all she asked for today.

CHAPTER FIVE

Moonlight lit Angelfire, highlighting his golden coat dark silver and painting his proud tail like an ancient tapestry. His every muscle showed his supreme breed. The Sirens’ palomino only allowed Lucienne to ride him.

Lucienne leaned forward to pat the stallion’s neck, whispering to the splendid animal. In the river of silver light, her midnight hair flowed like a black stream in the wind.

She gave a command. The warhorse shot out like an angel’s wings, his head held high and his neck arched. Together they flew through the dark fury of night.

Jonas, one of Lucienne’s bodyguards, trailed behind on a mare. He was mindful of giving the girl privacy, but always on alert.

Lucienne urged Angelfire toward the edge of the ranch. She knew her bodyguards hated it when she entered the forest alone, but she couldn’t resist the call of the wilderness—not on a night like this. She wandered under the beech trees, listening to the rhythm of the forest, of hidden animals on withered foliage and nocturnal birds in the shades of the branches. From afar, notes from a flute—Vladimir’s flute—floated toward her. He had followed her.

Angelfire neighed when he heard the flute, and Lucienne’s heart fluttered. Vladimir was closer now. When the flute stopped, singing vibrated in the air. “The wind is itswings,” Vladimir sang on horseback, then stopped, fumbling for words.

Lucienne’s eyes sparkled as she watched him spur his horse, a black stallion, toward her. His black quilted blazer went well with his short-cropped hair, giving him a tough, boyish look. Vladimir alwaysdressed to kill.My excellent, hot warrior with vanity the size of Paris,she thought.

“Don’t laugh. The words are coming back,” Vladimir shouted and continued singing. “Embracing the stars is our hobby. Touching the pulse of the sky is the next to do.”

“There’s no such song,” Lucienne said, looking over her shoulder to entice Vladimir to follow her.

“Together we lift the smoke and fog and shadows from all the haters.”Vladimir ended his singing and trotted his horse toward Angelfire. “M’ lady,” he greeted her with laughter in his voice. “If my nightingale’s singing has failed to please you, I beg permission to improvise a poem to praise your beauty which lights the night of the forest.”

“M’ lord,” Lucienne answered. “What brings you here at such an uncanny hour? Are you trying to tempt an innocent, defenseless young girl?”