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energy can’t be traced the way another Walker’s could, that it’s safe enough for me to accompany you three.”
    Would he ever get a clue ?
    I faced Josian again. “No!” I shook my head hard. “I have the shielding almost perfect for three people. I don’t need another person to look after.”
    “Aribella ,” Josian interrupted me.
    Aribella was my birth name, but I’d only recently discovered that. My name on Earth was Abigail and most people called me Abby, only a few members of my family persisted with Aribella. But in reality I didn’t mind either name.
    Josian spoke again . “Aribella. I know you’re angry; you haven’t made it a secret. But I would expect at some point your maturity would kick in and you would see that this is no one’s fault. I promise you that we will get Brace back.”
    I t actually hurt, physically hurt to hear his name, deep down near my heart. And Josian’s words hit me hard. I knew I was being quite an ass right now, but my pain was just so all encompassing I couldn’t get around it. I shuddered in a deep breath; the air here was fresh, even more so than First World’s had been, and it cleared my head. I examined the serious-faced men around me, before finally throwing my hands up. It was clear I didn’t have much choice; although what Josian thought Lucas could contribute when he was just a First Worlder was beyond me.
    “Fine ! Lucas can come with us, but I’m leaving today when everyone wakes up.”
    I needed to get out of this place. There were way too many men and especially too many Walkers.
    “ Then we better start working on your shield now,” Josian said. “Lucas informed me that not only is the temperature on the surface of Crais beyond your ability to survive, there is also supposed to be limited oxygen above ground.”
    Lucas nodded. “Yes , we believe it has developed into the most unforgiving of terrain. The inhabitants have somehow adapted, but we will only have the time limit of your strength and the oxygen in the shield to figure out how to get into their underground caves.”
    I glared at him , needing him to know that this in no way proved his usefulness. “Wow, thanks for the advice. And considering you’re adding another pair of lungs to the shield, you’re lowering our time by hours.”
    He grinned . “I promise I’ll make it worth your while in oxygen loss.”
    “If you mean t that comment in an even slightly suggestive way I will castrate you where you stand.” I hadn’t realized I’d moved closer to him and was practically growling in his face.
    He leaned down, until our faces were inches apart. “It’s not my fault your mind automatically jumps to sex whenever you ’re around me.” He tone was low, but everyone in the room had advanced hearing.
    I sucked in a breath, afraid that there was some truth to his words. I could deny it all I wanted , but I was half First Worlder, born under the moon of the Empress, and I did have a tie to Lucas. It was just nothing compared to my Walker side and my bond with Brace.
    “I had to have a daughter, of course I did. That way I could spend my entire life killing off horny males,” Josian muttered to himself.
    Lucas laughed. “Don’t worry about Abby . She can take care of herself. And I would never go where I wasn’t invited.”
    “ It would be the last thing that you ever did.” This comment came from Grantham, who was slouched against the wall.
    I wasn’t surprised that he was still here. He and the rest of his clan had been staying close until the Brace issue was resolved.
    Lallielle walked into the room then, interrupting the sure -to-be testosterone-fuelled argument. After giving me a brief hug, she stepped into her husband’s arms. They were never apart for long.
    “Frannie?” she said, pulling back from his gentle ‘hello’ kiss.
    His expression sobered. “I’ m sorry, Lalli, I searched as far as I could, but she’s not anywhere in Angelisian and her soothsayer protections