Page 87 of The Hunter’s Affection

“I stepped into something here,” Garrett said.

“No,” he started. Then, realizing who he was talking to, “Well, that’s damn annoying.”

Garrett seemed to be settling into his abilities quite nicely. The ability to sense a lie would seem to come in handy.

“So I’m going to head to Long Branch in a night or two to see what else I can track down.”

Garrett’s search for information had led him to Rochester, where his father had grown up with his adopted family. He’d been able to discover that Long Branch, New Jersey, was not only where his father died, his empty kayak washed ashore, but also where his birth parents were from.

“You’re welcome to come with Laria and me. There was mention of the Sect being connected to Lindisfarne in the journal. It may be nothing.” But tracking was in his blood, and he’d prefer to rule out the possibility of a Sect safe haven.

He hadn’t planned on making the offer. Hadn’t even run it past his sister. But it felt like the right thing to do. Alessandra’s brother seemed a bit lost, as if he was no longer sure of his purpose in life now that he knew he was a Cheld.

Yeah, and you really seem to have that figured out.

He did. Torr’s purpose was to protect his brother’s bloodline. Period. End of story.

And Lawrence and Laria.

And Toni now too.

And he supposed even Garrett and Alessandra.

Although certainly not him . . .

Garrett followed his gaze to Kenton, who was making himself useful helping Lawrence behind the bar.

“I’ll keep your offer in mind. And Torr,” he said, still looking at Kenton, “he’s not a bad guy.”

He glared at Garrett, who turned to meet his gaze.

“I thought you were sworn to tell the truth,” he grumbled.

“I detect it. Don’t have to tell it. But in this case—”

Torr’s look shut him up, for now. In that silence, a pernicious voice in his mind whispered: Charlotte. You didn’t add Charlotte to your list.