Page 11 of Reluctant Rogue

There was silence for some minutes as she considered that.You mean, because my mother and aunt taught them to be that way?

That’s exactly what I mean.

Again a silence.

But there’s no way to be sure?

No,Liam admitted.But just the fact that you worry about it, that it bothers you to the extent of going to these lengths to keep others safe, that in and of itself tells me it’s highly unlikely.

Her mental voice was soft.But you would not carry the burden of guilt, if I went bad and began killing. I would.

As much as he hated to, he could see the sense in what she feared. How did anyone know for sure?

Don’t despair,” he told her.I will speak to the Warden and see what she has to say.

The round ears swiveled back, laying a little flat.A Warden? Like in a prison?”

He thought she shivered, and hurried to reassure her.No, no. The Shifter Councils have divided geographical areas into Wards, and one person in each Ward is chosen to be the Warden, to represent that Ward on the Council. Admittedly, we know very little about Rogues. They’d been thought to be extinct, none has been known for at least two centuries until last month when a black leopard terrorized some shifter women up in the Hudson Valley, north of here.

A black leopard?There was a catch in her voice.My Aunt Beatrice.

Yes.

Was… was anyone hurt?”

No. She was apprehended with the help of a local Djinn, and…

A Djinn?” She lifted her head, startled, and turned those luminous eyes onto him.Djinn are real?

He couldn’t help laughing, and his jaw dropped, his dog panting in amusement.Oh yes, very real. In fact, one of the veterinarians at the clinic where I’m doing my residency is married to one.

She stared at him, appearing speechless. He thrust his muzzle against the cage bars.

I must go, I’ve been here too long and someone may come along at any time. Let me talk to Maroulla, our Warden. I want you to try to eat when they bring you food, and not give in to despair. We will find some way to help you. I swear it.

I don’t know what you can do.Her mental voice trembled with uncertainty.But if there is any chance… I do want a life. But not if I’m going to be a killer.

I’ll return after I’ve talked to her.

She rose to all fours, padding on silent paws close to the bars separating them, rubbing along them cat-like.Thank you,she told him.You’ve given me hope, when I thought there was none. And if there is no way for me, I’ll always remember that you tried.

Chapter4

Liam returnedto the bed and breakfast, having made a call to Katerina, asking her to to meet him at the inn, and Troy, too, if he was available. Heading for the staircase, he spotted Tamera, the red-haired receptionist from the clinic, in the lounge, seated with a young man a few years younger than himself on a loveseat before a cheerful fire. His brows rising in surprise, he detoured into the lounge.

“Tamera?” he asked.

She looked up, nodding with a pert smile. “Yes. And this is Kester Kazakis, my Chosen.”

Liam laughed as Kester stood, holding his hand out, and the two men shook hands.

“Another Kazakis, huh?”

Kester grinned. “We’re everywhere.”

Liam cast his mind over what he knew of the family. “Ah! You’re Christopher? Katerina’s brother?”

“Mm. Lucky me.”