Page 53

And Lawrence would be angry, for the simple fact that he knew of Torr’s aversion to relationships. Which meant he and Charlotte could be nothing more than a temporary fling. As such, he really had no business going out with her tonight. If he were a stronger man, he wouldn’t, but he could not shake the feel of her against him. He instantly hardened every time he thought of slipping into her—

His fantasies were interrupted by the unlikely sound of his enemy agreeing with him.

“If there is a Cheld nearby,” Kenton said, “their purpose is entirely unclear. I would have to agree. We cannot be too safe. Every human attached to us must be protected.”

Torr tried to determine if Kenton were patronizing him.

“In that case, what about Birdie and Uncle Jim?” Toni asked.

Torr continued to watch Kenton, the two eyeing each other as warily as hunter and prey.

“We can’t be too safe. Invite them to stay with us for the weekend.” Lawrence cleared his throat, forcing Torr to break eye contact with Kenton.

“I’d rather you weren’t alone either.” Alessandra turning toward Kenton, who did not look pleased by his fiancée’s statement.

“If there really is a member of the Sect here in Stone Haven, they would be coming for you. Not me.” She smiled. “And I can protect you.”

Kenton’s brows raised. “Can you now?”

Though he’d said it in a teasing tone, Alessandra bit back. “Yes. I can. Lawrence,” she said, “tell him.”

“I don’t need Lawrence to tell me you’re one of the strongest Cheld, despite having only trained for a few months. I’ve seen it with my own eyes. Still, if it is the Sect, they spend their lives in training, passing down knowledge from generation to generation. You—”

“Will not be coddled.”

Torr had never seen Kenton and Alessandra angry with each other. But they were most definitely on opposite sides of this issue.

He grinned, unable to look past the opportunity to annoy Kenton.

“You’ve trained with my brother,” Torr said to Alessandra, placing his drink on the bar. “But not with me. Let’s see what you’ve got.”

She didn’t hesitate.

Without waiting for him to make the first move, Alessandra jumped up off her barstool and charged toward him too quickly for him to react. Laria cleared out of the way at once, her eyes shining—was that amusement?—as she stood back in the empty space that awaited the shipment of their new furniture from Lancaster.

Grabbing both of his arms simultaneously, Alessandra wrenched them behind his back. She’d become quite strong in such a short time.

“Well done,” he congratulated her. He held still, waiting for her muscles to relax. When they did, momentarily, he slipped out from her grasp and moved away.

Her eyes narrowed.

“You’re strong,” she commented.

“As are you.”

This time it was he who went on the offensive, pinning her arms to her sides to expose a neck he could have drained had he wanted. Or so he thought . . .

She kneed him in the balls so hard, Torr immediately went down. But not alone. Sweeping his hands behind her knees, he took Alessandra to the ground with him, buffering her fall with both of his hands.

He heard Kenton’s growl but didn’t relent.

It was one thing to train with your fiancé. Another, a good friend.

Torr was neither. And they needed Alessandra to be strong. This was for everyone’s benefit.

Back and forth they went, each gaining, and losing, the upper hand several times. Toni and Laria clapped and cheered, and though he could hear Lawrence’s muffled laughter, Kenton remained silent. He could practically hear the man grinding his teeth.

Neither of them were out of breath, though Alessandra was beginning to break a sweat. They could continue this dance indefinitely, if not for his date, so he called for a truce.