Sandra still slept, but the cuts on her arm were but faded lines, soon to be nothing but scars. Already her skin had warmed in tone, and her sleep looked restful instead of pained.

“You did it,” Kaide said, a smile crossing his face.

Jerico chuckled. “Not I, remember?”

Kaide waved a dismissive hand. Jerico stepped aside so the man could rejoin his sister. As he held her hand, Jerico plopped to a sit, still feeling dizzy. It sure didn’t help that his entire body ached from the clubs that had beaten him, as well as the kicks from Griff and Adam. Bellok patted Kaide on the shoulder.

“I’ll go tell everyone she’ll be fine,” he said.

Kaide nodded, and then the wizard left.

“So, Kaide,” Jerico said, feeling like he should resume conversation. He wasn’t sure what his current predicament was, and he wanted to get a far better idea. “I’m surprised you were here. Your, uh, men gave me the impression you were… occupied elsewhere.”

A grin tugged at the corner of Kaide’s mouth.

“There are twenty women who will readily claim to have bedded me tonight. Makes it difficult to track my whereabouts, wouldn’t you think?”

“You keep this secret from your men?”

“Would you trust those two with any plan of yours?”

Jerico shrugged. Good point.

“Well, now that your sister is better, I feel like I best be going.”

Kaide squeezed Sandra’s hand, kissed her fingers, and then stood.

“No,” he said, his hand falling to the hilt of a dirk. “I’m afraid that’s not the case.”

Jerico tensed. “I will tell no one of this place. Whatever you are, I will bear no ill will, especially since what was done to me was to save a loved one… even if you could have just asked.”