Once in, she bowed again at the huge sculpture of a square cross edged in gold and filled with mosaic and grouted in gold in the center of the chapel.

Again she let her breath filter from her as she soaked up the peace. There was the lingering scent of incense, but no pylora"the type that had played such a large role in the Black Magic Cult murders and was found in their home. As if most other n.o.bles, cross-folk or not, didnat have pylor incense. The sticks and cones had been standard once. No more.

There were four large square windows set high in the walls, all stained gla.s.s and showing a child to aged man in a boat on a journey. The rich colors always made her catch her breath. Right now the sun was illuminating the man-in-his-primeas terror as the boat rushed to the waterfall.

No, she wouldnat feel that, the uneasiness that had settled along her nerves. Another big breath, and it was good to recall that everyone in this voyage of life had terrible times. Life was not smooth . . . though she also wished that she was in a round Celtan Temple that suited her more than this chapel. But shead wanted to check out the knife on the altar.

So she walked up to the draped rectangular table and studied the implements set upon it. Celtan altars usually had two knives, a blunt one for use spiritually and a sharp one used for cutting candles, tr.i.m.m.i.n.g wicks, and any other sort of necessary mundane actions. The cross-folk used only one knife for everything.

Artemisia stared a moment before she recalled the knife was part of one of the four equal-armed square crosses. Three of the crosses were solid, but when she peered closely at the second on the left, she could see a joint where one arm of the cross could be removed to reveal a blade. The opposite arm would be the hilt, and the other two arms perpendicular, like a rough hand guard. This was made of rounded dowel-like wood with Celtic knot carving.

Staring at it and comparing it to the knife shead left outside the chapel, she understood something else.

There was a sheath for the murder knife that would match the other arms of the cross.

It was missing, but when it was found, it would point to the murderer.

Garrett walked, with Rusby on his shoulder, from his apartment in MidCla.s.s Lodge to his office. He half listened to the kittenas mental chatter-comments on the world around them.

Head made things worse with Artemisia. Now head have to work hard to insert himself into her life.

He recalled intimately how her body fit his, how their hearts pulsed together when they made love. No way head forget that. It was ingrained in every molecule of his being, and particularly settled in his c.o.c.k. d.a.m.ned hard to ignore.

Unwillingly, he stopped in front of a jewelry shop that had a display of marriage armbands. He liked the glisten metal ones that were shiny and shot off rainbow-colored light. They also had a subtle and intricate engraving of lines that flowed into each other in a never-ending pattern, symbolizing the HeartMate bond. And each band had a ring of small cabochon emeralds, the color of Artemisiaas eyes when she was in a pa.s.sion, around the wrist. They both had a large oval stone also of dark green crystal, though he didnat know what the jewel was.

Then he realized exactly what he was doing. Sweat trickled down his spine and his vision blurred.

Yeah, he was a coward. He didnat want to lose another woman. Didnat want to have to see another child dead.

Yet if something bad happened to Artemisia, Lord and Lady forefend, he would lose her anyway, even if she were wed to another man.

And that idea made his gut clamp.

He had little idea on how to court her. He grumped a sigh. Might have to visit his good friend Laev again. Must be a glutton for punishment in the friendship field as well as the arena of HeartMates.

First he had to check on his officea"head had no new business scrys forwarded to his perscry pebble, but his feral informants would expect to be fed.

Head sent the word out that he wanted to meet all of thema"all speciesa"in Apollopa Park at NoonBell. With everyone looking for them, the small familial group of racc.o.o.ns would be found.

Garrett had heard from Captain Winterberry that the councils of Celta had put pressure on the Eryngo Family to hold a memorial for their murdered son that afternoon.

The Captain of the guard had been tight-lipped. No matter how much Winterberry had disliked being the guardsman the FirstFamilies requested when they were involved in any kind of case, he wasnat happy at handing Garrett the lead on this one. Garrett couldnat blame him and didnat hold it against the guy.

And here We are at the office! Rusby nipped Garrettas ear. Let Me down!

aYou donat want to lord it over all the other cats from my shoulder?a I will sit on the back stoop.

Garrett didnat think that was the right strategic move in showing a tiny FamCatas superiority over tough feral informants, but shrugged and placed Rusby on the small back porch.

Black-and-White greeted Garrett. We have told some dogs and the foxes and others that you wish a meeting at Apollopa Park at NoonBell.

aThank you.a Garrett undid the spellshields, went through the back door, the hallway, and into the storage room. The building smelled like mildew again. He wondered if he should let the landlord know or move to somewhere a little more upscale.

As he poured food into the trough, he sent a mental comment to Black-and-White. I am thinking about moving my office.

As he munched, Black-and-White said telepathically, We would like the Turquoise House fine.

Not going to be the Turquoise House; that is for a home. And not his.

Now Black-and-White stared at him. We do not like the alleys as much as we like brush and greenways. Perhaps you could make the old Temple at Apollopa Park an office. The last was said slyly, as if the cat was aware that the priest, Leger Cinchona, seemed to be restoring it.

aNo,a Garrett said aloud. He put away the supplies and locked up again. aBut Iall take your preferences under advis.e.m.e.nt.a You are not working today?

aNot inside.a Black-and-White wiggled his whiskers to rid himself of some stray bits of kibble. We will see you later.

aSure,a Garrett said. Of course he wouldnat tell the cat that everything other than his HeartMate could wait.

He had to do something for Artemisia. Had to prove he wanted and needed her. For more than s.e.x. Would do whatever it took to show her head been mistaken.

For the first time in his life, his relationship with a woman was his first priority.

GreatLady Danith DaAsh, the animal and Fam Healer, cooed and complimented Randa until she preened and allowed the woman to scan and study her as a prime example of a racc.o.o.n.

When the examination was done, Artemisia asked to use a private scry cubicle. Randa accompanied Artemisia on her own four paws, stating that the feel of the energy in the floor sparkled on her pads.

The cubicle had a simple counter with an equally simple metal scrybowl that Artemisia wanted to use instead of her own perscry.

With Randa sitting on her lap, she stiffened her spine and scried the main Druida guardhouse and asked for Captain Winterberry, the head of all the guards and the man she and Garrett had spoken with before. Winterberry liaised with the FirstFamiliesa"and the FirstFamilies would, of course, meddle in this, the case was so scandalous.

He answered her call at once. aWhat can I do for you, SecondLevel Healer?a aI am scrying about the Black Magic Cultist murder.a She took a steadying breath. aI have more information.a His eyes gleamed, then he shook his head. aIam sorry, but Iam not able to help you.a He paused a few seconds. aMy HeartMate and my cuz were the only victims who survived, so I am not allowed to work that case.a He bared his teeth in a grin and the fire of fury showed in the back of his eyes. Despite the fact that it had been sixteen years, the man looked as if he could be a suspect himself.

Artemisia was afraid that all the other Families whoad lost loved ones would feel the same.

aYou should contact Garrett Primross, as he is coordinating the investigation,a Winterberry said.

Twenty-six.

Garrett Primross is the head of the murder investigation!a Artemisia bit her lip. aBut heas a private investigator, not a guard.a Winterberryas gray gaze flattened and he replied with exquisite courtesy, as if his feelings were ruffled, too. aVery true. But the FirstFamilies have confidence in GentleSir Primross and requested he be put in charge of this matter.a And, like always, the FirstFamilies got what they wanted. Had it been less than a week ago that shead defended those n.o.bles to Garrett? But that was before shead been so intimately entangled in their interest in the murder. Now her and Garrettas positions had switched. He was the one the highest n.o.bles had confidence in and she was the one who didnat trust their motives or actionsa"reactionsa"to this matter.

aDo you need GentleSir Primrossas personal scry image?a aYes, thank you,a she said automatically through cold lips. She had hoped to avoid her HeartMate until her feelings were less tender.

Randa cheeped and Winterberryas glance focused on the Fam and his masklike face softened. aWho is that?a aShe is Randa, my FamRacc.o.o.n.a Winterberry dipped his head. aA pleasure. Hereas Primrossas business image.a The icon of a golden pyramid appeared.

aThank you.a The guardsmanas mouth thinned and he nodded once more. aI wish I could handle this.a His shoulders shifted. aIall have to wait to get word through official channels. Merry meet.a aNo, wait.a Artemisia swallowed. aI, uh, have an object that I must bring in. At once. Iall be right there. You can scry GentleSir Primross.a She ended the call and leaned her head on her hands, rubbing her scalp for a while.

A knock came at the scry room door. aSecondLevel Healer, are you all right?a asked Gwydion Ash.

She had been in the cubicle longer than shead expected and now she noticed it was stifling. She opened the door with a smile. aYes, Iam fine.a aGood.a The large teen, slightly clumsy in his body, smiled back at her.

aCan you tell me where the main guardhouse of Druida is in relation to here?a His brows went up and he shook his head. aNo, I donat know. But Iall have one of our gliders take you there.a Before she could disagree, he hustled away.

She petted Randa, liking her chirruping sound. It was very tempting to keep Randa with her, but Artemisia had no illusions about how the guards would treat a person bringing in a murder weapon a couple of days after the killing.

The whole situation would be tense. She rocked with Randa before speaking mentally to her, Danith DaAsh wasnat scary.

No. Randa snuggled.

But the guard station may be.

We will not go. Randa sat up and patted Artemisiaas face.

Artemisia sighed. I must, but you donat need to. Hold still and I will translocate you home.

I love you. I will help with the aporting.

Artemisia fixed the image of the teleportation area in her sitting room in her head, the faded colorful pattern of the rug, the cream-colored walls of old silkeen that showed trailing pastel flowers, and projected the scene to Randa.

Randa added her mental imagea"similar enough that Artemisia was sure that the Fam would have no trouble.

aOn three,a Artemisia whispered.

aOne, Randa ac.o.o.n, two, BalmHeal home, and three.a She pushed her Flair to send Randa to their room, felt her Famas Flair meld with her own.

I am here!

Another sigh, this of relief, broke from Artemisiaas lips. She stood, lifted her chin, and strode with a false smile to the glider outside.

The guards would suspect her, of course. So might Garrett.

Garrett found Artemisia sitting on the edge of a carved wooden bench, back completely straight and hands folded in her lap. When she saw him, she flinched, then her expressive face went stiff. He didnat like either reaction. He sat down next to hera"closea"and she tensed.

His teeth hurt from clenching them. She could affect him faster and more than anyone else in his entire life.

Several other guards head met previously were there, including Fol Berberis, Rosa Milkweed, and Captain Ilex Winterberry. The Captain sat behind a desk angled across a corner.

aI understand that FirstLevel Healer Ura Heather reported a missing knife from the cross-folk altar in Primary HealingHall right before GentleLady Panax arrived with the item?a Garrett asked.

aMy name is Mugwort,a his HeartMate said without looking at him.

aThatas right,a said Rosa Milkweed. Her forehead wrinkled as she glanced at Artemisia and away. Garrett got the gist of that look. Her boss would have stood behind her; the guard respected Artemisia and wasnat sure why Artemisiaas superior wasnat supporting her.

Winterberry may have seemed casual, but his penetrating gaze was on Artemisia. aA little odd that of all the places that the knife could have come from, it was the Primary HealingHall chapel.a Artemisia swallowed, wet her lips, then answered. aUnlike many cross-folk chapels, the one at Primary HealingHall is not secured.a Winterberry nodded slowly. aAnd most cross-folk chapels are secured. Especially since the accusations that they were in a conspiracy with the Black Magic Cultists sixteen years ago. Odd how things circle round.a Artemisiaas deep breath wasnat audible, but Garrett noted it. She said, aThe cross-folk were wrongly implicated sixteen years ago by the press and your current victim. Iam sure they arenat involved now.a aYou sound as if you are still angry,a Winterberry said. aBut then your Family was the one that suffered the mosta"your home was mobbed, your parents lost their careers. How is your mother, by the way? Is she concerned about thisa"and how you now seem to be the main . . . target?a Hopping to her feet, Artemisia went to Winterberryas desk and planted her hands on the gleaming wooden surface. aNaturally my parents are concerned about me. But I have an alibi. I was in quarantine with GentleSir Primross. The Turquoise House has vouched for me.a aAnd your mother?a Winterberry pressed.

aMy mother has not stepped onto the streets of Druida City for many years.a aInteresting phrasing,a Winterberry said as Garrett thought the same.

Artemisia stepped back. aMy mother isnat in Druida.a But there was a shadow of a lie in Artemisiaas voice, and Garrett thought every guard in the room heard it.

Her lips pursed, then flattened, and she swept the room with a glance. aThe press whipped up a scared mob, and the n.o.bles of our rank who envied us our . . . our happy Family life and the status of our careers were the ones who savaged us before. Thatas far past. As for now, FirstLevel Healer Ura Heather would be concerned about anything missing from Primary HealingHall. It is her purview. Has she accused me of anything?a aNo,a Winterberry said.

Artemisia jerked a nod. aAs a Family, years ago, we Mugworts didnat appeal to the FirstFamilies Council for an investigation.a This time her breath sucked in. aBut I have an alibi for the murder and so does my sister, Tiana. She was partic.i.p.ating in a vigil in GreatCircle Temple. Neither Mother nor Father were anywhere near Apollopa Park. We will fight this time.a She lifted her chin. aI donat know what FirstLevel Healer Ura Heather will say about me, but she is not the only FirstFamily Lady or Lord that we know.a Now the truth in her words rang.

Winterberryas lips curved, but his eyes remained steady and serious. aI hear you.a Garrett wasnat lulled. The man was acting pleasantly to Artemisia but didnat believe in her.

Garrett would protect her and keep her close. He said, aThe FirstFamilies have their own ideas and ideals, their own viewpoint on matters, and their own standards of behavior.a Rosa Milkweed nodded and snorted, relaxed a bit, as if trying to lessen the tension in the room. aThat they do.a Fol Berberis shot a glance at his Captain, then looked down into Artemisiaas eyes. an.o.body wants the FirstFamilies meddling in this.a Garrett slid his gaze to Artemisia. aSomeone once told me that those greatest n.o.bles do the best they can for everyone.a Artemisia stiffened even more as the guardswoman laughed. Captain Winterberry raised a brow. At that gesture, Garrett turned to him.

aYou have an optimistic friend,a Winterberry said. aThough, in general, I have found the highest n.o.bles to be . . . odd but honorable.a aUh-huh,a Garrett said.

aReally?a Fol Berberis asked.

Winterberry inclined his head. aYes.a A shrug from both Garrett and Rosa. aWell, you should know.a This time a faint smile pa.s.sed across the Captainas lips. aI have been on more cases regarding them than I care to think about.a The corners of Winterberryas mouth turned up even as his eyes narroweda"evidently he had mixed feelings about something and Garrett figured head hear about it.

aI think in the future, they may be considering having a more private consultant than me. Guards have rules that we donat care to bend,a Winterberry said.

Icy chill slithered along Garrettas spine. He was all too afraid that Winterberry was right and the new liaison between the guardsmen and the FirstFamilies would be himself. He stood. aJust because they might pay meaa"and head make sure that he got a good rate from whichever FirstFamily Lord or Lady needed his servicesa"adoesnat mean that I will break laws and bend my own rules, betray my own honor.a Though laws were sometimes less important to him than his own rules.

aI didnat mean to imply that you would act less than honorably,a Winterberry said.

Garrett noted that the man didnat say anything about lawful behavior. Good thing, since Garrett was painfully aware that he would break quite a number of laws to protect the woman standing near him. A woman head already deeply hurt.

But if there was anything he was certain of, it was that Artemisia was as honorable as he, had her own code, and was definitely more compa.s.sionate and optimistic.

A woman worth protecting and defending.

He turned his head to meet her eyes, but she wasnat looking at him. Her stare was fixed on the notice board crowded with papyrus on the wall opposite them.

Suppressing a sigh and loosening his jaw again, he stood and moved in front of her.

She didnat look up.

aArtemisia,a he said as softly as Winterberry had done.

Another flinch, and Garrett could feel the observant interest of every guard in the room as they watched. aDid you take the knife from the altar of the cross-folk chapel in Primary HealingHall?a She lifted and dropped a shoulder. aNo.a It was flat, as if she resented him even asking the question. He wanted to tell her it was more for the guardsa benefit than his owna"that he trusted her. But would she believe him?

Gesturing to one of the recordspheres on Fol Berberisas desk, she said, aIave already reported how I came to have the knife.a Her lips firmed. aAnd Iave answered all the questions from all three of these guards.a Garrett inclined his head, picked up a copy of the sphere, and tucked it in a belt pouch. He and Rusby had been in n.o.ble Country, on his way to see Laev TaHawthorn, when Garrett had gotten the scry from Captain Winterberry. Rusby had not been pleased with the change of plans, and Garrett had teleported the kitten to the TaHawthorn breakfast room pad so Rusby could play with the Hawthorn Fams.

Though Garrett had spent some time in this guardhouse, it wasnat enough that he could safely teleport to the place. It had taken him a while to get here after Winterberryas scry.