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will be awake."

They padded silently down the corridor, keeping in the shadows until they reached the main staircase. Garras held Meral back. "Remember, if we meet anyone, I'm taking you on an early morning training session."

Meral nodded and, trying not to clench his feet against the sudden cold of the stone stairs, followed Garras as silently as he could.

     
    * * *

     
    Dzaka's head came up suddenly and he looked toward the large curtain-covered window. "We're being watched, Father Lijou," he said.

Lijou looked over in his direction, raising an eye ridge.

"Two males," Dzaka said, shaking his head. "Their minds are too still to pick up any emotions."

"Kaid." Ghezu said the word like it was an oath.

"Not Kaid," said Lijou. "There hasn't been time, and Dzaka would know him." He turned to Vanna, feeling a flare from her mind. "Garras?" He turned back to Dzaka. "Is Garras here?"

Dzaka flicked his ears in assent. "He brought a male called Meral to enroll him in the Brotherhood."

"So, I have ex-Brothers sponsoring new members, have I?" Ghezu noticed Vanna's slight movement from the corner of his eye. "I think not, Physician," he said, turning to her. "You'll remain here for the moment. Dzaka, bring Garras and Meral here, if you please," he said.

"Immediately, Leader Ghezu," he said, bowing his head toward him before going to the door.

"Physician Kyjishi," said Lijou, returning to his chair beside Ghezu's desk. "Let's go over what you told us about these Valtegans."

Vanna leaned forward across the desk. "I want to know when you're going to let me return to the Aldatan estate," she said angrily. "I've told you what I know. When Kusac and his parents realize I'm missing, they'll be far from pleased!"

"But that's what I'm waiting for, Vanna," said Ghezu. "I want Kusac here. Since you refuse to join us without discussing the matter with him," he said, spreading his hands expressively, "we must wait for him to come to you."

"That's why you had me brought here!" she said. "You aren't interested in me, it was Kusac you wanted all along!"

"Could Kusac have identified the bones?" asked Lijou. "I doubt it. We needed you to do that. The fact that we only have to sit and wait for Kusac to arrive as well is a bonus."

"And if he doesn't come?"

"Oh, he will, my dear," purred Ghezu. "He will."

     
    * * *

     
    Dzaka padded silently along the corridor toward the stairs down to the south garden. He could sense that Garras and Meral had reached the floor below. He stopped, waiting till he felt them approaching the bend in the stairs, then he spoke.

"Garras, it's me, Dzaka."

There was a profound silence for the space of three heartbeats.

"Where's Vanna?" Garras demanded, cautiously coming into sight.

"She's with Father Lijou and Leader Ghezu," he said. "I've been sent to ask you to join them. Everything is fine," he said reassuringly. "You won't need your gun," he added, turning to move back into the corridor as they began to ascend the last flight.

When he reached the top, Garras looked him up then down before reholstering his side arm. "What's she doing visiting them at this ungodly time?"

"They needed her advice on a medical matter," Dzaka said as Meral drew abreast of him. "You'll be able to ask her yourself when we reach Leader Ghezu's office."

They walked in silence to Ghezu's door. Dzaka opened it for them, then stood back to let them enter first.

As he did, an arm snaked across his throat, arching his body backward. At the same time he felt the touch of steel just under his ear. He didn't struggle.

"You betrayed my trust." The voice was flat, carrying only a faint hint of the cold fury underneath.

Breathing was difficult with Kaid's arm pressed hard against his throat.

"I didn't touch the Human or Kusac," Dzaka gasped.

Kaid pressed the point of his knife hard against Dzaka's skin until it just penetrated his flesh. A drop of blood swelled at the tip and began to roll down the blade. "Vanna was in my care, too.