Free Building From Ashes by Elizabeth Hunter Page A

Cardiff?”
    “Doing well. Very well. She was just telling me about…”
    The friendly woman began filling him in on all her children’s doings before launching into her grandchildren’s. She did every week. Though her family was caring, they were busy, and Davina was quite adamant about not being a bother to them, so their visits were rare.
    “Davina?” He finally broke in.
    “Yes, Father?”
    “Let’s finish up and just go get a cup of tea at the house, dear. This chair is not the most comfortable.”
    “Oh! Well, that would be fine, Father. Is the sister about?”
    His hunt would have to wait. Carwyn smiled. “She is, and I believe she was baking a cake.”
    “Well, that would be lovely, then.”
    Carwyn smiled, closed his eyes, and began to pray with her.

Chapter Six
     
     
     
    Dublin, Ireland
    September 2006
     
    It was amazing how much one city could change in a year. But then, as Brigid opened the door to her new flat that faced the river, she thought she might have changed just as much. And just like the modern construction that lined the River Liffey, she felt ready for the future. Her year with Anne had helped her turn a corner. And though shadows of the past still haunted her at times, she’d finally reached a place where they weren’t an anchor dragging her down.
    In her time away, Patrick Murphy had moved the center of his operations to the newly refurbished building in the heart of Dublin’s emerging Docklands. The old building had been razed and a bright, modern structure of glass and steel had been built in its place. Since Brigid considered this move a new start for a new her, she approved of her flat. She never wanted to step foot in Parliament House again.
    “Miss Connor?” The building director was still standing in the door. “Will this be acceptable?”
    “Thank you, Smith. It’s lovely. When my things arrive, please have them brought up.”
    The older gentleman nodded. He probably could have worked running any one of the world-class hotels in the city, but instead, Smith coordinated the residents in Murphy’s new building. The bottom floors hummed with the night and day business of the immortal leader. Shipping. Clubs. Restaurants. Her new landlord was powerful and very, very wealthy.
    “May I escort you to Murphy’s office for your interview, Miss Connor?”
    She dropped her purse on the table in the entry and picked up a small handbag. Smith cleared his throat. “You won’t need your bag, miss. I’ll be happy to see you back into your rooms, but security does not allow any bags or briefcases into Murphy’s office.”
    “Well, of course not. Thank you, Smith.” She picked up her jacket and patted the pockets, looking to Smith with a smile. “Best make sure I don’t have any spare pen-knives, matches, or broadswords in here, either.”
    “Very thoughtful of you.”
    They walked down the hall to the elevator and took it down to the first floor. Unlike most executives, who would consider the top floor a mark of stature, Patrick Murphy kept offices on the first. As they walked past the wall of glass that lined the hall, Brigid looked at the lights of the boats floating up and down the river. She noted that the building jutted out over the bank, giving Murphy and any other water vampire immediate river access and what would probably be very strong elemental strength.
    They stopped in front of a set of double doors, and Smith paused. He gestured toward a small sitting area with a coffee table and an old rotary phone.
    “You may wait here for security to come get you when Murphy is ready for your interview. If you dial fifty-four when you are finished, it will connect directly to my office, Miss Connor. I’ll see you directly back to your room, or escort you through the building, if you like.”
    “Thank you, Smith. But please, call me Brigid.”
    He smiled. “Of course, Miss.”
    Brigid held out her hand and gave Smith a firm handshake. Her heart did not race. She was