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hear.
    Dante didn’t want to get into it with her now. He had no time. “I know, but Anartia is leaving in two weeks, or part of it, and I can take my horses. But I have to be able to control them.”
    “Why can’t you control them? You’ve had them for months.”
    Dante felt the stiffness creep into his shoulder. He shoved the beer aside. “I don’t know. When I was mortal, I could handle any horse. Now, a ten year-old could ride these two, but I can’t get near them.”
    “Don’t let anything happen to Haley, or I’ll send Brad after you. He may be mortal but he’s pretty powerful when he shifts into his leopard form.”
    “She’ll be fine.” Everything inside him told him how bad of an idea this was on so many levels. “I would never let anything happen to her. I’ll protect her, I promise. Valdon hasn’t any reason for wanting her now.”
    Sakari placed a hand over Dante’s clasped hands. “She doesn’t remember anything about that night.”
    Something inside Dante shattered. The night Valdon kidnapped Haley to Anartia and nearly drained all her lifeforce energy was a nightmare he couldn’t forget. “She’s better off not remembering.”
    “She’s still in love with you. But she denies it.”
    He shook his head. “You exaggerate.”
    Sakari made a face. Glancing over his shoulder, he watched as Haley rushed around the room cleaning off tables, serving food while she kept looking over at him.” Maybe a physical attraction, but he had that with most women and a natural charisma to draw in his next Kithra. She was only responding to that. He’d have to be careful not to use his influence on her.
    “Maybe you’re the one in denial.” Sakari filled up a couple mugs with beer and passed them down to two cowboys at the end of the bar, got their money then returned. “I don’t think it’s a good idea that she stay with you alone at your ranch.”
    “Haley will be fine, I promise. She’s a Sha Warrior, she has more chi lifeforce than the average mortal and she knows how to protect herself. Didn’t you see how she blocked my energy drain?”
    “I’m a mortal now, Dante. I can’t see that anymore,” Sakari spoke through gritted teeth.
    Dante nodded. It was hard to see Sakari without her Drone powers now that she was mortal. “How is it being mortal?” Changing the subject might help.
    She sighed, and he saw the tension drain from her face. “Just fine. I would never go back. How is it knowing you’re leaving Earth forever?” she countered.
    Dante rubbed his hands over his face. It was easier when he didn’t think about it. “It’s like a new adventure. It reminds me of the time I left Virginia in the 1800s and traveled across country by wagon to stake my claim in the Gold Rush.”
    “You were mortal then,” Sakari said. “And you were betrayed.”
    “If I hadn’t been betrayed, I wouldn’t have been rescued by the Drones and brought to Anartia. I’m immortal now. It was worth the sacrifice.”
    Sakari shrugged. “Don’t be surprised if Brad comes around checking on Haley. He doesn’t trust you.”
    “I helped save his life once.”
    Sakari laughed. “He knows what the Drones can do. He keeps his leopard skin with him at all times. Just in case.”
    “More trouble I don’t need.”
    Haley brought a tray of dirty glasses and placed them down on the bar. “So what are you all talking so serious about?” she asked.
    Dante picked up his beer and took a swig.
    “He’s telling me all the work he’s been doing on the ranch,” Sakari said. “Brad and I will have to come out and take a look at your progress.”
    “That would be great,” Haley said. “But stay away from the horses while I’m working with them. After Dante’s event in two weeks, then you and Brad can come see them, maybe even ride them.”
    “I’d like that,” Sakari said. “I’ve never been on a horse.”
    Dante glared at her.
    “There’s only two more customers left and they’re about finished