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among his people, none outside the clans knew of the existence of the mate bond—which was the only form of fidelity that was acceptable for a lupus. But that was none of the human’s business.
    Yet the sheriff’s attitude rankled. He didn’t understand why. When had lupi cared what the out-clan thought? “It occurs to me you live in Leidolf’s territory.”
    “In what?” Deacon shook his head. “You’re from California, right? Maybe California schools don’t teach kids about states and counties and such. Sheriffs are elected by the county, not some blamed territory.”
    “I’m aware of counties,” Rule said dryly. “Leidolf is a lupus clan whose territory—which does not appear in your children’s schoolbooks—includes much of North Carolina.” In fact, the Leidolf clanhome was seventy miles south of Halo, but that was none of this man’s business. “I’m wondering if your attitude comes from having known Leidolf lupi. Their treatment of women is not typical of my people.”
    “You gonna tell me you believe in marriage?”
    “Is marriage the only way to demonstrate respect for a woman?”
    “The only way that means anything.”
    “So you wouldn’t object if your daughter grew up to marry one of us.”
    Rule thought the man would hit him. Deacon did, too, for a moment—which told Rule that Deacon’s prejudice didn’t involve any real knowledge of lupi. A man who knew much about Rule’s people might, in a fit of temper, consider shooting. He didn’t think of punching.
    Deacon mastered the impulse. “Read and sign the statement.”
    This, of course, was the other reason, aside from cheap land, that Nokolai had settled in California so many years ago. The woods here were magnificent. The attitudes were not.
    Rule read quickly. Barring a couple of typos, the statement was accurate enough. He smiled when he reached the last part . . . which described him disrobing so Lily could make sure no death magic clung to him. Anywhere.
    Deacon’s arrival hadn’t fazed her. “Get your mind out of the sewer,” she’d snapped, then gone on doing what she considered necessary. As she always did. Lily had offered Deacon a terse explanation once she finished, but it had been Rule who’d pointed out that it seemed wise to make sure he wasn’t enspelled. It would be unfortunate if he went mad on them, wouldn’t it?
    Rule’s smile faded. He hadn’t known about the dogs when he said that. He looked up. “You have a pen?”
    Deacon dug through the debris on his desk until he’d unearthed one. “You said you arrived in town yesterday. I need to know where you’re staying.”
    “I have a room at the Comfort Inn.” He wasn’t staying in it, but he did have the room.
    “What are you doing in Halo, anyway?”
    “Personal business.” Rule scrawled his signature and put the statement on Deacon’s desk.
    “What kind of personal? If there’s another weer living in my town, I want to know about it.”
    “I realize you would consider that your business. I don’t. As it happens, the law agrees with me.” Not that he could hope to keep Toby a secret much longer, but damned if he’d turn belly-up to this man.
    “Yu said she was here on family business.”
    “Yes.”
    “Would that be your family or hers?”
    “That would be personal. As I’ve said. Do you have family, Sheriff?”
    “We aren’t talking about me.”
    “Perhaps we should. If you . . . Ah, here she is.” Rule turned to look through the glass partition at a metal door on the far side of the large room. A moment later, it swung open, revealing a staircase and a slim, pissed-off woman.
    The bulky woman seated at the desk directly in front of Deacon’s office expressed a need to know what Lily wanted. Lily flashed her badge and spoke Deacon’s name without breaking stride. The woman considered stopping her, shrugged, and went back to tapping at her keyboard.
    Wise of her. Lily was not in a good mood.
    She swung open the door to Deacon’s