Marc chuckled.
“So, what are you trying to say?” Aurelian demanded.
“That you and the young lady are in over your heads,” said Marc frankly.
Aurelian leaned back in his balcony chair. “I know,” he admitted. “I know, my friend. But I’m damned if I know what else to do. Kait will keep charging forward, whether I help her or not. I can’t just let her walk into danger alone. I think…I think I may be in love with her, Marc.”
His friend let out a slow whistle. “Zut alors.”
Aurelian gestured helplessly. “Not what I was looking for…but what happened.”
Marc’s gaze was direct. “Can you put the woman you love in such danger?”
“I don’t think I can stop her!”
“Okay. Hear me out. As it stands, you are training her for the Rites of Admission,n’est-ce pas?” asked Marc.
Aurelian nodded.
“So, keep training her. This will keep her…occupied,non? In the meantime, you and I go hell for leather to solve Talia’s murder, before Kait attempts the Rites. That way, your Kait will stay out of danger, but justice will be served,” suggested Marc. “And everyone will be happy.”
“Everyone except Talia’s killer,” said Aurelian, dryly.
Marc raised his hands. “We cannot please everyone,mon ami.” They both laughed.
A sudden thought came to Aurelian. “Holloway.”
“Pardon?”
“The one thing the Shazlik said before going for my throat. Holloway.”
“And what is this Holloway?” asked Marc.
“No idea. A clue, maybe? You’re the investigator,” laughed Aurelian.
“C’est ca,” agreed Marc, chuckling deep in his throat. “Holloway…”
