Raintree: Sanctuary (Raintree 3)

d the blood surrounding the gun both came from Cael. Sidra saw this. Before she fell into a deep sleep, she told Bartholomew that this was not a prophecy, that these events had already occurred. She believes that Cael has already struck against the Raintree Dranir and his brother.”

The ground beneath Judah’s feet trembled. Rage shot through him swiftly, igniting fire on each of his fingertips. Clenching his hands, he extinguished the blazes. Puffs of smoke rose from inside his closed fists.

“Cael has to be stopped,” Judah said.

“He has a small but loyal following. We will have to deal with them, as well.”

“We need to move quickly,” Judah said. “Speak only to those you trust. Gather information. I’ll be home by this evening.”

“Why the delay? Sidra believes action should be taken immediately to counteract whatever Cael has done.”

“There are complications here.”

“Where is here?”

“I am at the Raintree sanctuary.”

“Inside the sanctuary?”

“Yes.”

“Isn’t the place surrounded by a force field? How did you use your powers to get inside without alerting—”

“I’ll explain more when I see you this evening.”

“Do these complications involve Mercy Raintree?” Claude asked.

“What?”

“You flew to North Carolina to save her from Greynell, didn’t you?” “She was not his kill. She’s mine. I thought you and everyone on the council understood my reasons for coming here to save her life.”

“No one questions your right to kill her and her brother Dante in The Battle that is to come, but…I know you, Judah. I know you better than anyone else knows you. I have seen inside your mind.”

“And I into yours, but I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”

“I’ve seen Mercy Raintree in your mind on several occasions, before you were able to shut out thoughts of her.”

Judah could deny Claude’s accusation, but his cousin would know he was lying.

“You know that I had sex with her years ago,” Judah said. “I took the Raintree princess’s virginity.”

“So is she what keeps you there?” Claude grunted. “No doubt she’s never forgotten you, either.”

“She is of no importance. I simply have something to settle with her before I return to Terrebonne.”

“Very well,” Claude replied. “I’ll speak to Benedict and Bartholomew. We will call a private meeting for tonight, and make plans to stop Cael before he moves prematurely against the Raintree and brings their wrath down on all of us.”

“Stay safe,” Judah warned. “Don’t turn your back on Cael. Not for a single moment. If he’s bold enough to send an assassin to kill me, you aren’t safe, either. No one who is loyal to me is safe from him.”

Monday Morning, 5:35 a.m.

When the telephone rang, Mercy grabbed the receiver from the nightstand, sat up and kicked back the covers. She hadn’t slept more than a few minutes at a time and still had her clothes on from yesterday. When she glanced down at the phone, she noted Gideon’s number on the caller I.D.

“What’s wrong?”

“Don’t get upset,” her brother said. “I’m fine. Dante’s fine.”

“But?”