Page 51 of The Gathering Storm

And there went the rumor mill. Hard to keep a juicy tidbit down in a small town in the dead of winter, when everybody had too much time on their hands.

“Sigrid Glyvynsdatter,” Will admitted. “We haven’t been dating long.”

“Long enough. I can tell by that gleam in your eye.”

Since that gleam had been earned the old-fashioned way, with a few sensual rolls in the proverbial hay, Will could hardly deny it’s existence. “To be honest, if business picks up any more at The Omega, we’re going to be shorthanded.”

Robert’s shoulders slumped against the sheet cushioning him. “So you don’t have time for the research.”

“I didn’t say that.” Will sat forward, forearms on thighs, and rubbed his hands through his hair, mulling over his duties. “Look, I probably should’ve hired somebody already, and this stuff for Rebecca is not a one-man job. Why don’t I look into finding help over the next couple of days? If I can, that’ll free up time for the research.”

“Fair enough.” Robert grunted and shifted against the mattress. “Maybe you could hire somebody to bring me some decent food while you’re at it. Rebecca’s insisting I eat healthy for a change, and healthy in a hospital is anything but.”

Will grinned. “That I can handle. So what research is it that’s so important?”

“James Terhune’s, among others. I’m trying to fill in some of the gaps in his ancestry, in the hopes of finding more relics like the one Dave’s mother gave to Dani.”

An armband etched with the Eye of Marnan. Will had heard about the former FBI agent’s connection to the People and marveled at the coincidences of fate needed to see such a precious item returned to its rightful place.

He and Robert settled in for a good chat about Robert’s hopes for the research and the research itself until a nurse came in and shooed Will out. On his way home, he pulled out his phone and dictated notes on ideas for handling the many responsibilities crowding his plate, on the slim hope of finding a way to fulfill all of them and still have time to spend with Sigrid.

Once outside Robert’s room, Rebecca veered away from the waiting room and the family holding vigil there. Will would send someone else in to watch over Robert when he left, just until she could catch her breath.

An image shot into her mind, of her husband collapsed on the floor, sweat dotting his skin, his body taut with pain, and she shuddered and hugged her arms around herself and uttered a prayer to the Lady Ki.

Please spare him, Great Mother.

If only life were simple enough to be solved by a desperate plea, however reverent.

Rebecca wandered through the hospital until she found a set of stairs, then took them to the floor housing the one man she’d rather never see again. After Lukas had fled New York and landed bruised and battered on Dani and David’s doorstep, Dr. Phillips had judged his injuries too great for the local hospital to treat.

Secretly, Rebecca wondered if Ethan had simply wanted to place some distance between his newest patient and the many Daughters angling for his death, a wise move considering Lukas’s importance.

She found his room, marked by an innocuous pseudonym to defray the curiosity of passersby, and tapped softly on the closed door. A cultured male voice called, “Enter,” and Rebecca did so, twisting the doorknob and pushing the cold door open, though she would rather have been anywhere else.

Duty bade her see to this man’s care, even in the face of the Woman’s vision of the Blade crumbling under the Shadow.

Lukas was sitting up in his bed wearing a hospital issued gown. A thick, leather bound book lay open on his lap and the room was as bright as the corridor. “Good afternoon, Director.”

“Mr. Alexiou.” Rebecca shut the door firmly and sank gracefully into a chair at his bedside. “How are you?”

“Better. Dr. Phillips has assured me of my release as soon as appropriate housing can be found.” He marked his place in the book, closed it, and rested a piercing gaze on Rebecca. “Have you considered my request for Sanctuary?”

“I haven’t made a decision yet.”

“Time grows thin, Director. My uncle will not hesitate to attack, as I have, and with Marco egging him on?” Lukas clasped his hands together and rested them on the book. “I’m surprised they’re not here already, knocking at the IECS’s gates. It’s been nearly a week, after all. They’ve had plenty of time to marshal their forces.”

Rebecca arched one eyebrow. “Is that a threat?”

“Merely a reminder of the dire situation we each face.”

An unnecessary one. She was well aware of Pinico Alexiou’s warmongering, and had been since before Dani had found a stash of weapons linked to Lukas’s uncle in a warehouse not far from where Rebecca now sat. “The People have always faced their enemies head on.”

“If that is so, why do you hesitate now? I can help you, Director, in ways you cannot possibly comprehend.”

Rebecca leaned forward, her own gaze as cold as his. “Enlighten me, Mr. Alexiou. How exactly is it that a lifelong enemy of the People can render aid?”

“Nala,” he said flatly. “Allow me to see her. You have much to learn from her, but she will not speak to another.”

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