Jaenelle took a deep breath and sighed. Morton had said that she would be needed here today… or at least that was The High Lord had told her… however the reason for this visit was yet to be revealed. To make matters worse Lucivar … the prick… ha not only come with her but has been underfoot since they arrived. At least Morghann and Khary had been expecting her.

But that didn't explain why she was needed here.

"We could go see the new litter of puppies."

"Wh-What?" she hadn't heard Khary come up to her… "Oh, Khary. I'm sorry I was out here … I'm a bit…"

"Distracted?' he offered.

She nodded in agreement. "Are you sure Morton didn't say anything?"

Sitting down in the grass beside her, Khary was silent for a long minute. "Morton asked if we could entertain you for a day or two. However Karla more or less said you had to be here today. Now I didn't see the letter myself but I had the impression whatever the reason was we would find out before you leave."

Another breath and Jaenelle closed her eyes. "It has to do with Daemon… And whatever it is Karla thinks she can handle it but wants both Prince Sadi's brother and myself close." She look at Khary and gave him her best unsure smile "Guess I should have asked her when I arrived."

"You both are careful not to give the Prince too many connections between the two of you."

"Do you think she'll need help? I could Lucivar there on the pretenses …"

Taking her hand in his, Khary smiled "If any of us thought Karla needed help do you honestly thin k I would be asking you to go play with some puppies?"

A faint smile crossed her lips… movement at the far side of the garden caught her attention. White fur barely sticking up over the flowers, "Is that one of the pups?"

"I'll be… someone must have let the pup out of the pen."

Doubtful. Slowly getting to her feet he went over and picked the small bundle of fur up. "He says he's name is Ladvarian."

He was not going to ask… he wasn't... Thank the darkness Lucivar was standing in the doorway… A grim look on his face.

"Cat?" he waited till he had her attention , "You have a visitor." Then to the pup, "come on we'll see if there is some milk in the kitchen for you."

"Kindred?"

Lucivar shrugged and went back into the house … the pup following.

"Lady Caroline?" Not so much a greeting but a question as to why she was here and not in Glacia.

"Lady Jaenelle." Caroline smiled warmly, "I was asked not to be in Glacia today."

Jaenelle eyed the large wicker basket that had a double black shield around it. "Prince Sadi…?"

"Oh, the prince is very thoughtful. Since the basket and the contents are much too heavy for me to lift by myself he placed a float spell on it… I'm sure my husband had something to do with that as well…" She waited until she saw the twinkle of amusement in Jaenelle's eyes before she continued, "Now as far at the shields… He wanted to make sure his brother got here safely." Kneeling down She reached into the basket and pulled out a large ball of white fur. "Such a sweet kitty you are." Waiting until he nestled into her arms she lowered her voice, "This is Kaelas. Prince Sadi's brother. Lady Karla suggested that you would be the perfect person to watch over him."

"Of course I will." Taking the little darling from Caroline she asked, "And what will the prince be doing while I look after his brother?"

For a long time Caroline didn't answer. Weighing her loyalties she took a deep breath. Neither Karla nor Daemon had said it was a secret… so telling… "Having dinner with Lord Hobart."

Daemon glanced out of the laced covered window. The coach was of fine quality. Blue velvet seats and white walls. No hint of taint but a strong female scent. Not a new scent but one that been left over time. "Your mother used this coach?"

"Hmm. It was the one she used when she had to travel beyond our family estate. And it's the only one Lord Hobart won't get near." Seeing the grim smile on Daemon's lips she asked, "So when do I get to know why you wanted to have dinner with him?" there were several things she wanted to call Lord Hobart… and until she figured out what side of Daemon's temper she was dealing with she would hold those thought for a short time longer.

"At the proper time my dear. At the proper time."

Morton greeted the coach the moment that the door opened. He had came a few hours ago to get a good account of who was coming and make any preparations he needed to keep Karla safe… now?

"Morton?" Karla eyes her cousin warily.

*We have a problem* "Karla maybe Daemon would like to see the gardens before dinner?

They waited until Daemon was in deep conversation with gardener before having a hushed conversation.

"What's the problem?"

Morton look sick. "Hobart's new mistress…"

Her stomach tightened. Wasn't there any young females that still had any brains left in their damn heads? "Mother night, how old is this one?"

"That's not the problem… well it might be but…" He took a deep breath, "… younger than you."

"Hell's fire." She let out several curses before asking, "Fine what else?"

"She's wearing Kaeli's …" After spending time with the High Lord he couldn't find a proper way to word what he needed to.

Mother night…. Mother night. She could deal with the bitch. But…

"Darling don't you think it's time for dinner?"

… Daemon. *Contact Jaenelle. Now.* "Perhaps…" he wasn't listing … she shut her eyes and prayed as Daemon was already heading to the house. "Morton I don't care what you have to do, but get Jaenelle here… and quickly."

She was almost breathless by time she caught up with Daemon and wrapped her arm around his. In the last three months she had gained his trust enough to have friendly contact with him… as long as that contact didn't include any praising of his physique … that she realized almost too late that he would not tolerate… at least not from anyone who had two legs. "You're in a hurry."

"The counsel is all here."

The entire male counsel? If the darkness was kind he would remember that she was a friend… and with luck Jaenelle would get here before the carnage began.

Suddenly Daemon jerked to a stop. She tried to pull her arm away from his only to have his hand tighten around hers. A breath later a black shield was wrapped around her … and several webs attached to it. "Prince?"

In a deep growl he snapped, "I'll be damned if you're going into that house without being shielded."

Well that was comforting. Then she saw a flash of white… "Are you sure you really want to talk to with …"

"I doubt there will be any talking… unless you can give me a damn good reason that Hobart needs to be alive."