Free Betrayal by A.S. Fenichel Page A

and headed toward the house.
    Lillian said, “You have a problem, Reece.”
    “Several, I would say.” Reece gripped his hands behind his back. “I’ve had demons on my property, and they know our movements. This was either a calling card or a warning, and we do not know which.”
    The cook came running out with a pot in her hands. “Sir, I was to the butcher just today. I have a nice lamb for stew later. I’ve gone ahead and brought you what you asked for. Is this enough?”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Brown. That will do nicely.” Reece took the pot from the red-faced cook.
    She bobbed and rushed back toward the house.
    Lillian tore a branch from a nearby bush and took the pot. She used the branch to paint the stone with a strange symbol of a three-looped knot.
    Since finding the symbol, Elizabeth had been tense. Her stomach unknotted at the sight of the new mark and calm settled over her. Her pain eased as well. “What is it?”
    Dorian answered, “The Triquetra of Harmony. It restores order where the master brings chaos.”
    “Lizzy?” Reece’s tone pitched lower, and deep creases surrounded his frown.
    It was both strange and wonderful to have someone care what happened to her. Hardly a person would have noticed her death a year earlier. Now she had Reece. “I’m better. Almost as soon as Lillian started her symbol, the pain eased.”
    Lillian put down the pot and crossed to her. She touched her shoulder. “Are you ill?”
    Perhaps more than one person cared what happened to her. The tightness in her chest eased. “I suffered some pain from the time we found the master’s symbol, and it was increasing until now.”
    Lillian pressed her palm to Elizabeth’s forehead. “You are a bit warm. Have you experienced anything like this before?”
    “The master appeared at the end of the battle on the grounds at Spero Hall. I had similar pain but only for a few moments.”
    “Somehow you are sensitive to him.”
    Reece put his arm around Elizabeth in a way that both warmed her and confused her. He’d been pushing her away, but now he protected her. “What are you implying?”
    The gardener cleared his throat.
    “I’m sorry, Mr. Homes. Go ahead and take this away. Perhaps it would be best if you’re able to break the stone up and dispose of it? If you need to enlist a few footmen, you have my leave to do so.” Reece pointed with his free hand before fisting it at his side.
    “I’ll get right to it, sir.”
    Lillian and Dorian stared at the embrace.
    She eased away from him. “I’m fine, Reece. Let’s go in the house, call for tea, and let Mr. Homes go about his business.”
    Mr. Homes mumbled about her being the only one with any sense. She almost laughed.
    * * * *
    Elizabeth grew tired of listening to Lillian and Reece argue. She sipped her tea and took a deep breath.
    “I think you are wrong. That is what I’m saying.” Reece paced the room and threw his hands in the air.
    Lillian stood across the parlor, hands fisted on her hips. “That much is clear. It is also clear you have been blinded by your affection for Miss Smyth.”
    “You say affection as if I have done something inappropriate, Lilly. She is my partner, and I do not need affection to worry over her well-being.”
    The smirk on his old partner’s face twisted her features. “You forget, I know you better than anyone, Reece. I know how distracted you can be by a pretty face and a light skirt.”
    “That will do,” Dorian said.
    “I beg your pardon.” Elizabeth put her tea down.
    The two of them looked around as if they’d forgotten they were not alone.
    Lillian took a deep breath and dropped her hands to her sides. “I apologize, Elizabeth. Sometimes Reece brings out the worst in me. I only meant to say, your sensitivity to the master might be useful and might be due to your time held captive by demons.”
    “Belinda was captive on two occasions and never had a reaction to the master before or after. Not that I am aware of.” Reece