"She must be Anna's daughter. Ronan was one of Anna's Guardians. The other's name was Seamus Flannery. There were always two Guardians in case something happened to one of the Guardians during an attack. When I spoke with Eamon, he told me James Connor was Seamus Flannery. He said all the Atruans changed their names when they came to the US via ships all those years ago. Becoming the Sythen clan, changing their names and even eliminating their Irish accents must've been their way of making a fresh start."

"Rose is Sythen?" Duncan asked in a quiet tone while shock slammed through him in relentless waves.

"If her mother was Anna Brennan, then yes, she's at least part Sythen."

Duncan felt the blood drain from his face. He'd disregarded Rose's assurances he was the vampire who converted her. But maybe her hybrid status was what made converting her with just two bites possible. Rose had told him the truth. Ian's hand landed on his shoulder. His brother squeezed.

"Remain calm, Duncan. Rose will forgive you. We need to learn the rest."

While Duncan fumed, his mind swirling over the knowledge Rose truly was his, had been converted by his bite, his mother continued where she left off.

"After the attack and the Guardians' curse, the Atruan clan fell apart. Many left. Not only did The Morrigan encourage the priestesses to leave Ireland, but she also told us that in return for her help we must never speak of our past to anyone. Before the priestesses moved away from Ireland to blend in with human society as best we could, each priestess took a vow to protect herself and her future children from any other Sythen male who might try to repeat history.

"We all decided on a different vessel to call forth our Guardians, even the ones who hadn't gone rogue. When the Guardians were originally appointed by the Elders, they each took a vow to protect us for life. The priestesses agreed that the Guardians were only to be summoned if we faced an enemy stronger than we ourselves could fight.

"We thought that the summoning vessel was the best way we could protect ourselves and loved ones by using something we could pass on. We also created the lullaby, 'Sleep, My Darling'. The lullaby was our way to let our children know they had a protector without directly revealing our past and breaking our vow to The Morrigan. The locket you mentioned must be how Ronan was summoned, even if it wasn't intentional."

Duncan's mind was still coming to terms with the fact-however innocent-he'd converted Rose. The guilt almost overwhelmed him.

Tressa turned his chin until he met her serious green gaze. "I hear your thoughts. My guess is you're correct. Your RueanSythen status mixed with her hybrid Sythen heritage is why she was converted with two bites. You couldn't have known."

Worry for Rose paramount, Duncan shook his head. "I'm confused. That Guardian, Ronan, wasn't bald like all the other Sythens."

"Did he have a white stripe in his hair somewhere?" his mother asked.

"Yes, in his jaguar and his human form."

She nodded. "As a warning to all the Atruan male vampires, The Morrigan cursed every Atruan male with a white stripe in his hair so he'd be easily identifiable by a priestess if she ran across one again in the future. I guess that's why all Sythens are bald. They didn't want to draw attention to their past or their own shame, so they shaved their heads. But when they are in shifted form, the stripe will appear no matter what form they take."

Ian rubbed his jaw, a curious look on his face. "How is it that Eamon and James didn't recognize you or vice versa for that matter?"

His mother glanced his way. "I was just seven when I left my clan members so I didn't know many of the male vampires. I admit the Sythens' scent did pique my curiosity, but it had been a very long time since I'd smelled another Atruan, so I passed my thoughts off as nostalgia for my homeland.

"As for Ronan and James not knowing me... I took your father's name when I mated with him, and because Marcus converted me, as you well know, the process of being 'made' is a physiological change. Even though I retained my unique priestess mental abilities, all my Atruan physical abilities disappeared to be replaced with Ruean ones. I grew fangs, I needed blood to survive, I could no longer walk in the sunlight or shape-shift like I once could. I'm sure your father's Ruean blood running through my veins also masked my Sythen scent. Considering I was very young when I was separated from the male vampires, neither Eamon nor James would recognize me as a grown woman."

"A much older woman than her mate," Marcus interrupted with a mischievous glint in his eyes as he moved to stand by her side. "And all this time I thought that tingling I felt when we first met was heightened sexual awareness between us."

"It was." She gave him a sheepish grin, then sobered. "And to your 'older woman' comment..." She narrowed her gaze on her Anima. "I'll probably still outlive you."

He pulled her fingers to his lips and said in a sincere tone, "I hope that's the case, my love, because I wouldn't want to live a single day without you."

The love reflected in his mother's eyes as she looked at Marcus made Duncan's stomach tense. He realized just how much he wanted Rose to look at him like that.

Tressa met Duncan's gaze. "It wasn't until you mentioned James shifting to a shape larger than his human form that I began to wonder. Like I said, I'd always felt the Sythens seemed familiar to me. I confronted Eamon and he admitted he was indeed an Atruan. He also confirmed my suspicions that James was one of the Guardians who didn't revolt all those years ago. Eamon was very surprised to see James acting so out of character over a human woman."

Duncan stood and paced, his mind whirling as he absorbed all his mother had revealed. He couldn't believe all the years he thought he was something he wasn't. He stopped pacing and met his mother's steady gaze.

"Can I shape-shift beyond a raven?"

She nodded. "My guess is, yes, you should be able to if you concentrate. Even though you're half Ruean, I was still full Atruan when I became pregnant. You inherited my mind-reading abilities, so you probably have the ability to shape-shift as well since it takes some mental effort to accomplish the task. She glanced at Ian. "You and Duncan can both withstand the sunlight, so you'll only know for sure if you can shape-shift to other forms if you try."

While Ian nodded his understanding, Duncan began pacing again thinking about the Guardians and the situation he and Rose were right in the middle of. Coming to a halt, he asked, "If Ronan is cursed with immortality, can he be killed?"

Tressa shrugged. "I'm not sure. We weren't given all the details."

Duncan's brow furrowed. "I saw Ronan with Rose before I got to them. I didn't imagine what I saw. He was attacking her and I know he definitely had it in for me. He was also able to withstand the sun for at least an hour. He suffered but he stayed as long as he could, fighting me. He wanted me dead and out of the way."

A worried expression crossed Tressa's face. "The Guardians didn't have the power to withstand the sun before. Ronan's driving force must be stronger than I expected."

"The sudden appearance of Ronan makes some kind of weird sense if he was called forth by accident, but what about James?" Ian asked. "If he didn't revolt all those years ago, why now?"

She shook her head. "Only James can answer that question."

"Has Eamon eliminated him yet?" Duncan asked his mother.

"He said he'd take care of James today."

Duncan glanced at his brother and spoke in his mind. Let's get over there and make sure it's done after we get the answers we seek.

Tressa grasped Duncan's arm and forced him to meet her gaze. "Eamon knows James better than anyone."

First Rose and now his mother. "Reading my mind again?" He raised an eyebrow in annoyance.

A resolute expression crossed her face. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect my sons."

They stared at each other, tempers flaring...locking horns.

The phone rang, breaking the tense silence. Marcus picked up the handset from the end table.

"Hello?"

When his body tensed and he beckoned to Tressa, Duncan immediately tuned into the phone conversation.

"I-I need to speak with Tressa," Eamon's pained voice came across the line.

Marcus handed his mate the phone and pulled her close to his side as she put the earpiece up to her ear.

"What's wrong, Eamon?"

He took a ragged breath. "Bring Lucian and Duncan to my home. James has escaped and I have to set this right."

Tressa jerked her gaze to her youngest son. Duncan's chest tightened in enraged fury that James was once again free. His heart jerked in worry for Rose and he met his brother's gaze. An unspoken agreement passed between them. Ian nodded his consent to help hunt the bastard down. Duncan was glad she was safe with Jax and Mark.

Duncan met his mother's questioning look and shook his head. "We have a rogue vampire to hunt down first. Two in fact."

Tressa spoke to Eamon. "I'll bring Lucian right away, but Duncan and Ian are going after James."

"It's daylight," Eamon argued, his breathing sounding labored. "I chose to eliminate James with the daylight almost upon us so that in the event I failed, he'd be vulnerable and Ian could hunt him down. I-I don't think I'll make it, Tressa. Please."

Duncan pulled his cell phone from his pocket and walked away from the group, dialing Ian's home phone. Jax answered.

"Hello?"

"Jax, it's Duncan."

"Duncan, I was just-" she started to say but he interrupted.

"We've just discovered James has escaped. Ian and I are going to try to find him, but I wanted to warn you to keep an eye on Rose."

"I was just about to call you. Rose is gone."

"What!" he roared. "How?"

"She'd asked us to take her to town, but I told her that you'd take her when you got back. I...uh...guess she didn't like that answer. Apparently she snuck out her bedroom window. Mark's truck is gone. We were just getting ready to go after her when you called."

As fear raced through him, Duncan clung to his anger to keep him focused. "I know her scent better than anyone," he said in a controlled voice. "Take your cell phone with you and we'll keep in touch."

Closing his cell phone, he met his mother's gaze as she hung up the telephone. "Do you trust Eamon?"

When she nodded, he said, "Rose is out there. Alone. You know you can't go to Eamon's until the sun goes down. As soon as you can, go. We'll call you later."

Marcus put his hands on his Anima's shoulders and turned her to face him. With a steely expression in his eyes, he said, "No more secrets."

She hugged him close and laid her head on his broad chest, whispering, "No more secrets. I'm glad the weight is off my shoulders."

Marcus kissed the top of her head. "About that force field...I believe I can work it to protect us against the sun...at least temporarily."

Tressa lifted her head, her eyes alight with wonder. "You constantly amaze me."

Marcus gave her a cocky smile, then sobered. "It'll wear me out to protect us both, so I'll have to depend on your powers to defend us if necessary once we're at Eamon's."

She squeezed his waist and winked at him. "I like this teamwork thing."

"I'll follow you there," Ian insisted. "I know Mom trusts Eamon but I want to know it's not some kind of trap. Once you're safe, Jax and I will start hunting for James."

His father met Ian's gaze and nodded. "I'm concerned Eamon won't make it to wait until Lucian can come in the evening. Protecting two is going to be dicey enough You can call Lucian and fill him in on the situation on the way over there."

Duncan nodded to Ian and his parents and turned on his heel. The sooner he found Rose, the better. He owed her one helluva an apology. He hoped she'd forgive him...eventually. One thing he knew for certain...he had a mate to find and protect.

Chapter Eleven

Rose felt like a real heel stealing Mark's truck, but she had two things to take care of before she left the country tomorrow afternoon and she preferred to do them alone. Duncan's refusal to believe he converted her stung more than she cared to admit. You don't want a permanent man in your life, remember? she told herself, but the ache in her heart remained nonetheless.

Duncan was everything she hadn't known she wanted in a man. Yet he hadn't planned to convert her, had never planned to mate. Ever. The shit! Somehow she'd find a way to convince him he was the culprit who'd converted her, not Ronan...even if she had to kick his ass to finally convince him. But for now, she needed to focus on her tasks ahead.

Her heart pounded and her chest tightened as she turned into the Our Home parking lot and cut off the engine.

Pulling the keys from the ignition, she walked over to her car and looked around the empty lot before she reached under the fender for her hidden spare key. Once she'd unlocked the car, she grabbed her purse with her mother's paperwork and her passport inside and slung the strap over her shoulder.

Locking the car, she slid the key in her pocket and headed for the entrance of Our Home.

Helen enveloped her in a bear hug as soon as she walked in. "Honey, I'm so sorry."

Rose held back her tears with great effort as she returned Helen's hug. "Thank you for taking care of my dad, Helen." She stepped back and wiped away a tear that slid down her cheek. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, she said, "I'm here to sign the paperwork."

Helen nodded then walked back to the desk. She opened a drawer and withdrew a folder, setting it open on the desk.

"I've marked the places you need to sign to make it easier for you, and I transferred the excess funds back to your account."

As Rose signed the paperwork, Helen continued, "If it's any consolation to you, your father looked so peaceful when I found him." A sad smile tilted her lips. "He even had a smile on his face."

Rose's heart ached at her words. She knew the circumstances of her father's death, knew the bastard who'd taken his life...taken her father away from her. He would pay.

But Helen didn't need to know the ugly details. She finished signing and closed the folder, pushing it back toward the older woman. "Thank you for your thoughtfulness."

Rose stifled a new wave of tears, fought the need to scream her anger over his murder, then straightened her spine, collecting herself. "I'm going out of town for a few days on a business trip anyway. Some time away will help me come to terms with my dad's death. When I come back, I'll take care of my father's wishes for his remains."

Helen patted her hand. "I'm so sorry, Rose, but I honestly believe your father is in a happier place now."

Rose nodded, acknowledging the truth of Helen's words. "I know you're right. It's just hard to let go. Now I get to tell my uncle his brother is gone."

Helen gave her a sad smile and waved goodbye.

"Hey, Rosie my girl," Nigel called out in a jovial voice. He dashed across the main casino floor on the riverboat. She watched him weaving in and out of the patrons. As he approached and saw her expression, his own turned serious. He pulled her into his arms, hugging her close. "What's wrong, sweetheart? Whatever it is, I promise I'll do everything in my power to fix it."

Rose hugged his waist and rubbed her cheek against his cashmere sweater. "I'm afraid this is one thing you can't fix, Nigel."

He put his hands on her shoulders and leaned away a little so he could stare into her eyes. "What's wrong?"

Rose wrapped her arm around her uncle's trim waist and steered him toward his office. "Come on, let's talk in private."

Nigel shut his office door and grabbed her hands. Guiding her to one of the chairs across from his desk, he sat down in a chair opposite her and waited for her to speak.

Rose met his concerned gaze and spoke as calmly as she could. "Dad passed away this morning."

Her uncle's hands tightened on hers for a brief second and a regretful, sad look crossed his face.

He swiped the tears away that had started to form in his eyes and straightened his spine. Turning his head to the side for a second, he sniffed to pretend he hadn't allowed the tears to surface.