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“I gave him the other device as well,” Celenk said quietly.
“Good idea. Hopefully he can get some information out of it.”
He nodded and rose with her in his arms.
“I can walk.”
“I know, but right now I need to hold you, need to know you’re safe.”
She stopped arguing and nestled against him.
He did the same thing once they reached the horses, keeping her cradled in his arms as they rode. When they reached the main farmhouse, he dismounted and finally let her stand on her own feet again.
“Time to face the music, my flower.”
“We’ll face it together,” she said softly, and took his hand.
CHAPTER 19
The dining room was empty this time, but they found Temel and Tomlin in Temel’s study.
“Report,” Temel ordered.
The command was addressed at Borgaz so Celenk let him respond, focusing on Lottie’s small hand still clasped in his. Whatever Temel decided, the fact that they were together was all that really mattered. It seemed inevitable that he at least would have to leave, which meant that Lottie would lose her home. I’ll find her another one, he vowed, but he knew it wouldn’t be the same - for either of them. He would miss the farm and the other warriors, the feeling of community that he had been so foolish as to destroy.
“Three human males,” Borgaz said. “They were camped in the woods just outside the perimeter. All dead.”
Temel gave a faint sigh.
“I don’t suppose any of them lasted long enough to provide answers.”
“I left the leader alive for that purpose,” Kalpar said coldly. “Celenk eliminated him. Justifiably,” he added, surprising Celenk. “He was an active threat to his mate.”
Equally surprisingly, Temel only nodded and turned back to Borgaz.
“Anything else?”
“I brought back their belongings and one of them had this device.”
The big male handed it to Tomlin, who turned it over thoughtfully in his long fingers.
“This may be useful.”
“Unless Tomlin can retrieve some information from those devices, we know little more than we did earlier, only that this Marshall wants something on this ranch. He has now lost four men. Perhaps that will stop him.”
“No, my lord,” Tomlin said. “Those men will mean nothing to him.”
Temel raised an eyebrow. “You know him?”
“I know of him. One of his minions approached me once about including some of his wares on one of our journeys. I politely refused. Fortunately, that was the end of the matter.”
Celenk couldn’t help wondering what form that refusal had taken. Marshall did not take kindly to having his plans thwarted.
“What else do you know of him?” Temel asked.
“He owns a conglomerate of businesses, all of which appear legitimate. But he has other… activities.”
Tomlin looked at him and he nodded.
