Raintree: Sanctuary (Raintree 3)

Wednesday Morning, 8:45 a.m.

Judah’s cell phone woke him from a sound sleep.

Damn! Whoever was calling had better have a good reason.

He grabbed the ringing phone from the nightstand, checked the caller I.D. and answered. “Claude?”

“Cael left Terrebonne this morning.”

Judah sat straight up. “When?”

“An hour ago.”

“Was he alone?”

“No.”

“How many?”

“We’re not sure, but Sidra says only three went with him.”

“Who?” Judah asked.

“We believe he took Risa, Aron and Travis.”

“They could be here in North Carolina by this afternoon.”

“They can’t enter the sanctuary, can they?” Claude asked.

“No, I don’t think so. Not unless…”

“Unless what?”

“Unless they can somehow use Eve.”

“Is that possible?”

“I have no way of knowing for sure. It’s possible that her presence here has somehow compromised the shield that protects the sanctuary from the outside world.”

“As you well know, that shield also protects the sanctuary from those of us who do not possess power equal to Mercy Raintree,” Claude said. “If that shield has been weakened, then think how much easier it would be for us to take control of the sanctuary. With access to the Raintree home place, we could—”

“No.” Judah lowered his voice. “Even with that advantage, we’re still not ready to battle the Raintree.”

“Not yet, but surely sooner than we had thought.”

“Before we alter our plans for the timing of the next great battle, I have to make sure Eve is safe.”

“That will mean killing Cael before he can harm her or find a way to use her against you.”

“Yes, I know. But it’s either face a possible civil war when his followers rebel or go to war with the Raintree before we’re ready. Moving against Cael now is the lesser of two evils.”

“Do you want me to send someone after Cael and the others?” Claude asked. “Or I can—”

“No, stay there. I need you in Terrebonne. I don’t think Cael will show up here himself. He’ll send Aron and Travis. When they arrive, I’ll be waiting for them, and if they try to enter the sanctuary, I’ll send what’s left of them back to Cael in a gift box.”

“Perhaps you should have waited before revoking the ancient decree,” Claude said. “Once Cael heard what you’d done, he must have known there was no doubt that there was a mixed-blood child out there. A child of yours.”

“I had no choice. If I hadn’t revoked the ancient decree, countless Ansara would have demanded my daughter’s death.”