Page 38 of Tamhas

“Not quite, no offense,” I added when his eyes narrowed. “I’m not trying to be difficult, but just keep in mind that I’m not the one who found you. Only people with a serious lot of skills would be able to.”

“And that was before we tightened security,” Tamhas pointed out.

“We used an email from before you all went away,” I said.

“See? Things weren’t the same then as they are now.”

“Plus, it took time and a lot of work. You were already set up pretty well. Proxy servers rerouting to different countries and all that. I didn’t understand half of what she was talking about.”

“Even so. Your friend managed it. Other people could, as well.”

“I still don’t see what that has to do with whether I’m locked up here or not. I’m not going to tell anyone about you. It would mean telling them about…” I looked at Tamhas. “Telling them about you. I would never do that.”

“How do I know?” Alan demanded.

“She wouldn’t,” Ainsley murmured.

“What?” Alan and I both said at once.

That was a twist I wasn’t expecting. Of all people to stick up for me, it was her?

She shook her head at her brother. “She wouldn’t. I’m sure of it now.” Man, they looked alike. I hadn’t noticed it until that moment. “She had the chance to escape, and she didn’t take it. I trust her.”

“So do I,” Klaus agreed as he slid an arm around her waist. “She could’ve run. She could’ve taken Tamhas with her in spite of what it meant for him, knowing he would have to leave the clan as a result, that he could never come back. She put him ahead of herself and agreed to stay.”

“Even when she knew Mary might not be able to prove the Blood Moon Priestesses aren’t in existence any longer. She knew there was a chance she couldn’t prove there was no current connection to them.” Tamhas moved slightly until he was just in front of me. “She cared more about me, and the clan, than she did about her own safety. I think that says a lot for her.”

He took a step closer to Alan, who was looking less sure of himself every minute. “Alan, you know how it is when we know something. Something true, something absolutely factual. We simply… know.”

“Aye.”

“I know.”

They looked at each other for a long time. What felt like forever, really, seeing as how my future hung in the balance. No big deal or anything.

“All right,” Alan sighed. “No cell. But I want eyes on her whenever possible.”

I had the feeling that was as close to a kind word as I was going to get from him. I was grateful for it.

“Come on, then,” Ainsley said, and her voice was much brighter than before. “Let’s get some sleep. I’m exhausted. All this waiting around out here.”

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