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as in supernatural strange.”
    “What, like the earth moving under my feet? No, Arrogant Undead, I didn’t feel anything supernatural. What are you talking about, anyway?”
    He stared at her a moment and then backed off a step or two. “Forget it,” he said, trying to speak coolly. “Come to think of it, let’s both forget it. As in all of this. As in you can go back where you came from, sweetheart. I’m not interested in your problem and I’m definitely not interested in doing you a favor.”
    She was staring at him in exasperation. “Listen to me, you jerk. Just because you felt something supernatural when you groped me doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere. As it happens, I’ve got the perfect solution for your little problem. Don’t touch me again. Ever . Now, are you going to listen to what I have to say, or do I have to get cranky?”
    In spite of himself one corner of his mouth quirked up. “This doesn’t qualify as cranky?”
    “Not even close.”
    The girl was right. He only had to avoid touching her if he didn’t want to experience that odd reaction again.
    Although not touching her might actually be a challenge, given how adorable she looked at the moment with her hands on her hips and her eyes flashing with indignation. It had been a long, long time since any woman had fought him like this. Usually he found it all too easy to get through their defenses to the lonely heart-hunger beneath. Human women were so pathetically desperate for intimacy…
    Somehow, he didn’t think this girl was desperate for anything except the favor she’d come here to ask.
    He sighed. “All right, then. Sit down and tell me whatever you came here to tell me, since that’s obviously the only way I’ll ever get rid of you.”
    He indicated two armchairs by the fire, and, after giving him one quick, suspicious stare, she walked over stiffly and sank down into one of them. Those chairs were deep and comfortable, and Luke saw her relax for just a moment, her shoulders sagging briefly, before she jerked herself upright again.
    Luke smiled grimly as he took the other chair. She was tired, probably exhausted, but damned if she was going to show any weakness in front of him. This girl had some strength in her, all right.
    He settled back comfortably in his own chair, putting his hands in his pockets and stretching his legs out in front of him, one booted foot hooked over the other. Then he simply waited, watching the firelight and shadow dance across the girl’s slender form and shining blond head.
    She took a deep breath and began.
    “You know about the Fae, obviously. I don’t have to explain who we are and what we do, those of us who are called as warriors, anyway—”
    “You kill my kind,” Luke said politely. “A noble profession. Definitely predisposes me in your favor.”
    The girl flushed. “I’m not a warrior myself,” she said shortly. “And they only kill you if you take human lives. As long as you’re…” she hesitated a moment and then deliberately continued, “ tame , then they’ll leave you alone.”
    That annoyed him, as she’d no doubt intended, so he carefully gave no sign of it.
    “Isn’t that nice. Well, then, you’ve told me you’re not a warrior, although you have Fae blood. Are you going to tell me what you are ? You could start with your name.”
    “Oh.” She blinked at him. “Haven’t I mentioned that? Sorry. My name is Catherine Bantry. People usually call me Kit.” She frowned suddenly. “Friends, that is.”
    “I’ll make it a point to call you Miss Bantry, then,” he said drily. “I’ve think I’ve heard of your family. There was a William Bantry a few generations back with quite a reputation.” He bowed slightly. “My compliments to your forbears. I’ve no doubt your brother is a noble addition to the Green Fae clan. I thought that kind of vocation ran in families, though. How is it you never became a warrior?”
    She shrugged. “I was never called, thank God. I