He answered without hesitation. “I would be honored to carry it.”
“Thanks. And there’s something else I was wondering . . . it’s kind of strange. Would you mind taking out the hilt and holding it?”
I handed him the hilt in its case. He glanced at me with curiosity but trusted me without question, opening the pouch and taking out the hilt. He held it in his gentle hands, lifting to inspect it with awe.
“Do you feel anything?” I asked.
His expression was quizzical when he asked, “In what way?”
“Physically. Does it kind of zap your skin?”
His brow furrowed. “No.”
“Oh.” I sagged a little. “I thought you might be able to wield it, too.”
“Anna . . .” He eased the hilt back into its carrier. “I had many years of indulgence before my life was changed.”
It was hard to imagine Kope as anything less than completely controlled.
“I guess I knew that,” I said, “but I thought since you’d been, you know, redeemed and all . . .”
He gave me a small smile and stood, sliding the hilt into his pocket. “Perhaps the Sword of Righteousness is not as forgiving as its Creator.”
I followed him to the door, until he turned abruptly and I halted just before crashing into him.
“Anna . . .” His eyes looked a little wild. I took a small step back.
“Yeah?” I asked.
He never took his eyes from me. “Do you still speak with Kaidan?”
I dropped my eyes and shook my head, frazzled by the question. “He won’t talk to me.”
“But you still love him.”
I swallowed hard and nodded, meeting his solemn eyes again.
He was quiet for a long pause before he said, “I am going to take a walk, but I have my phone. I will see you at twelve thirty.”
He closed the door behind him, and I leaned my forehead against it for a while, wondering why things had to be so complicated.
A check of the clock showed I still had half an hour. I walked to the window and opened the curtains. Melbourne was beautiful. It was strange to see Christmas decorations lining the streets on a sunny summer day. After a few minutes my eyes landed on a familiar face among the people walking.
Kope. Sweet Kope. I wanted him to be happy.
He pulled out his cell phone, and unease curled inside me. I wondered who he was calling. He glanced up toward my window and I quickly backed away to stay hidden. Then, in a moment of nosiness and paranoia, I pushed my hearing and sight through the glass, down to where Kope had stopped in a small pavilion.
I could make out the crackle and ring through the receiver and Kopano’s features—the worried pinch of his full lips. And then a male voice with an English accent answered, and I froze.
Why was he calling Kaidan?
“Brother Kaidan,” Kope greeted.
“Kope.” He sounded slightly edgy, worried. “Is everyone all right?”
“Yes. Everyone is fine.”
“Then to what do I owe this pleasure?” Kai’s tone changed to something firmer, rougher, lined with sarcasm.
Kopano was quiet and his eyebrows went together as if he was regretting his decision to call. I had no idea what was going on, but I didn’t like it.
“Anna says you will not speak with her.”
I stopped breathing.
“What is your point?” Kai asked.
“My point . . .” Kope paced a few steps and then stopped, putting his palm to his forehead. “She still cares for you. I wish to know how you feel for her.”
“That’s none of your concern.”
I took a jaggedy breath in. This could not be happening.
“I am concerned because she hurts. If you care, you should let her know. And if you do not care you should release her.”
“So you can have a go at her?”
“I will not pursue her if you do not wish me to. But you must tell me.”
“It’s not my permission you need, Kope. Talk to her father.”
“Please, Kaidan. I do not wish to quarrel.”
“Of course you don’t. Tell me: Does she know about you yet?”
Know what about him?
Kope went very still. “No,” he whispered in a low rumble.
“Be careful,” Kaidan warned, no hint of humor.
“I am ever aware, brother. And now I need your honesty. What are your feelings for her?”
My body was motionless but for the bulging heartbeat in my throat. Tell him I’m not available. Tell him you still care—that I’m yours.
Kaidan’s angry chuckle, a breathy, cold sound, gave me goose bumps. And then he finally answered. “I’ve made it clear to her there’s no future for us, mate. So have at it. Best of luck to you.”
And with those last stony words my stomach turned and Kaidan hung up. Kope sighed and dropped his head. I slid to the floor in shock.
No. No, no, no. I wanted to scream and punch and kick and shatter things.
He didn’t mean it—he couldn’t.
Right?
In fifteen minutes I was supposed to leave with Kope to meet Flynn, but my mind was an absolute mess. I took deep breaths. I could not think about this—about the sound of Kaidan’s cold voice and . . . and . . . no. It was too much. I had to clear my mind and concentrate on my task. The drama of my personal life would have to wait until I had time for an emotional breakdown, because that’s exactly what I was in for when this mission was complete.