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wenches.”
    “Considering that I once handpicked your bed companions for you, no. I’ve no quarrel with them.” His visible relief made her smile a little. “I am accustomed to working with men, however, and as I am still new to rule, I would prefer a
tresora
with significant household experience.”
    Being named a lady paramount had made Jayr the first female to rule over a Darkyn
jardin
. Since she had also been the only female seneschal among the Kyn, she had not expected her new position to prove particularly trying. Shortly after being elevated to suzeraina, however, Jayr had discovered she was not, in fact, a nameless orphan, but the bastard daughter of Robin of Locksley.
    It had taken a long time for Jayr to accept that stunning revelation, as well as Robin’s reasons for never claiming her. Her sense of self-worth had gradually recovered, but there were moments still when Jayr felt as if she were an impostor in her own life.
    Here in the study, surrounded by the books and artworks that she and her lover had collected over the centuries, Jayr felt more at ease with her role as suzeraina. She needed that if she was to choose the right candidate to serve her and the Realm as their new chief
tresora
.
    The latest aspirant, an Englishman from a very old and venerable
tresoran
family, arrived at the precise time for his interview. After Byrne made the formal introductions, Jayr shook his hand in American fashion and invited him to sit with her beside the fire.
    Jayr knew from the file provided by the
tresoran
councilthat Devan Leeds was single, thirty-two, and the youngest member of an ancient
tresoran
bloodline. Dressed in an immaculate, beautifully tailored navy blue suit, Leeds wore his fair hair very short and neat. Jayr liked the calm directness of his blue eyes; they made his otherwise unremarkable features seem friendlier. His quiet demeanor and economical movements clearly demonstrated that he was accustomed to service.
    Leeds had served as an assistant to his father, the chief
tresora
in an Italian stronghold. Such arrangements were common among their most faithful human allies, with fathers training sons in apprentice fashion to take their place after they retired from service. The practice ensured that the Kyn lord would not have to bring a stranger into his household, nor would he have to devote any time to teaching the mortal his personal customs and preferences.
Tresoran
families prided themselves on serving the same lord for centuries; a few had served their masters even before they became immortal.
    “I’m flattered that you would take interest in this position and my household,” Jayr told him, “but I find myself puzzled as well. Your bloodline is English, and yet your family has served an Italian suzerain for well on five hundred years. After such long and distinguished service, why would you wish to relocate to America?”
    “It does sound confusing, doesn’t it?” Leeds smiled. “Suzerain Marietto, whom my family has served since he rose to walk the night, was exceedingly fond of his mother. She was an Englishwoman who met and married his father while making a pilgrimage. Even when our lord was mortal, he would hire her countrymen and import them to serve in his household. Every child in myfamily has been raised and educated in England specifically to preserve those qualities he enjoyed so much.”
    Jayr detected an abrupt change in his scent, one that indicated he was saddened. Then she realized how he had referred to his master.
Enjoyed.
“Did something happen to alter this arrangement?”
    “Four years ago the Brethren attacked our stronghold in the middle of the day.” He related the details in spare but unflinching terms. “They burned everything to the ground: the villa, the garrison’s quarters, the staff’s cottages. Our lord and his lady, their warriors, my parents, and every mortal on the property perished in the flames.”
    Byrne, who stood behind Jayr, stirred. “Yet you