Page 73 of Discarded (Shifter's Vault 1)

"Let him go," I said wearily. Twilight started to descend on the Vault. The day had been long and according to the old legends, to kill a person during the golden hours was bad luck. It was certainly bad for the deceased. I suspected it wouldn't end well for Kerina either. The zealot was unlikely to be alone and I risked the lives of others in the marketplace if I provoked a fight now.

Kerina exhaled loudly through her nose to show her annoyance, then stepped back. "A word of advice, if you threaten the Keeper, or any member of his family, you'll wish for eternal death. Instead, you'll get a nice, long, long life in a hot, damp cell."

"I do not fear any punishment you may impose upon my mortal body," the zealot replied. In spite of his words, he looked unnerved. He might believe everything he said about his god, but he wasn't ready to die for him. Not yet at least.

"I wish you good evening. Another will make contact when the time is right." He gave a hasty nod and disappeared into the thinning crowds.

"I don't know if I should follow him and kill him when the sun sets, or kill you and bad luck be damned," Kerina grumbled.

I raised an eyebrow at her. "I didn't realise you were so attached to Viva."

"I'm not, but—" She jerked her head to the side and we walked roughly in the direction of the residence. "You're not seriously considering this, are you?"

"Consider what? Giving up a virtual stranger to save the life of the Keeper? What is the question here? Our job is to keep him safe." Yeah, like it was that simple. Dex had become attached to Viva. If I was honest with myself, so had I.

"And members of his family," Kerina said.

"Which Viva is not." Yet.

"She's a guest. What would Dex choose?"

I scowled. "He doesn't always make choices which are the best for him." He wouldn't be the first man to think with his dick, he wouldn't be the last. It wasn't just that, though. Viva was powerful and Dex liked nothing more than to surround himself with powerful people.

"It's not up to you to decide this for him," Kerina said.

I had never seen her look so disappointed in me. We had our differences, but when it came to matters such as this, she would have my back, just as I would have hers.

"If it is not, then who is it up to?" I said softly. "You know Dex would laugh off all of this and continue as though there's no risk at all."

"Probably because he expects his guards to do their job," she said sharply.

"And that is exactly what we will do," I said firmly. "Our job. You will continue to follow orders, whether you like them or not. If you fail to do that, you will be removed from your post."

She looked stung at his words, but nodded. "If you say so, sir."

"I do say so." I had probably damaged our working relationship beyond repair, but I would do what I had to, like I always did. I didn't like to be the one who had to think with my head and not my heart. I knew other people thought I was stone cold. So be it. I owed my life and livelihood to Dex, I would let no harm come to him, no matter what it took.

"We should return to the residence. We've been away for long enough." I turned on a booted heel and headed back.

12

Bain

"Are you certain about this?"I asked.

"Aren't I always?" Dex replied. He straightened his sword belt and gave himself a nod in the mirror.

Usually," I agreed. "But hunting airborne dragons is dangerous." Not to mention leaving the residence for perhaps days.

Dex turned and grinned. "That's half the fun. The thrill of the chase."

"The potential to be eaten," I pointed out. "Or clawed to death."

"Would you prefer I curl up on a chaise in the shade and read a book?" Dex chuckled.

"Yes, I would prefer that," I agreed. "I can find you a good adventure book. Maybe one with pirates."

Dex laughed harder and shook his head. "You've missed your calling, my friend. You should have been a nursemaid." He snapped his fingers. "It's not too late to change jobs, but I'd have a Hades of a time replacing you. Maybe Kerina—"

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