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and I’m not the one who’s armed.” He glanced pointedly at her ankle holster. “I’ve already told you I’m willing to offer my help to you, Tyra, but you have to admit that I’m at a disadvantage in the trust department.”
    Though delivered in calm, even tones, his words might as well have been a slap across the face. Forgetting herself completely, Tyra pulled her hand away. Neither of them spoke, and heat built in her chest as anger bubbled up. It wasn’t like he didn’t have a point, but—
    But what? He was exactly, completely, one hundred percent right. Nevertheless, wow, did it piss her off. Brush it off, Ty. You’re here for information.
    â€œOkay. Let’s just do this.” With a deep breath, Tyra flexed her fingers and rubbed her hands together to get a little energy going. She was about to touch him again when a knock sounded at the door.
    â€œMr. Smith?”
    Shit. Without even thinking, her fingers closed around his. They were out of time.

Chapter 5
    Thad threw a fireball from one end of his practice gym to the other. Considering that he hadn’t slept well since his parents’ death a few months before—and sure as hell not in the time while Lee and Tyra were missing—the fireball was a decent one. The orange-sized orb hit Lee’s protective shield and fizzled out on impact.
    â€œThat the best you got?” Lee adjusted his stance, sinking into a semi-squat. “Come on, hit me again.”
    Thad snarled, as much at Lee as at his own reflection visible in the mirrored wall over his best friend’s shoulder. “Lee, it’s been a long night, for fuck’s sake.” But Thad focused his power and threw again. This time the fireball was easily as big as one of the heavy balls they had down the hall in the mansion’s underground bowling alley.
    Lee rocked back on his heels, thrown for a moment by the force of impact against his shield. “Not bad,” he said approvingly. “Shit, Thad. You didn’t need my help to learn control of your power after all.” He looked much older than his seven hundred years when he straightened and reached for a towel and some water. “And for all he’s shown himself to be an irresponsible asshole in the past, Siddoh’s stepped up and taken command of the fighters. Don’t really need me around anymore.”
    For fuck’s sake . “What’s this about, Lee?” Thad stripped off his sweaty T-shirt and finished toweling down. He grabbed a bottle of water from beside the padded blue floor mat and stared hard at his friend and bodyguard.
    Only weeks ago their roles had been reversed. Before the death of Thad’s parents, Lee had been in service to Thad’s father. Thad had been one of dozens of fighters in the royal military wing. He’d been the one to answer to the seven-hundred-year-old guard, not the other way around. Having their roles reversed like this still smacked of wrong to Thad.
    Lee ran a hand over his military buzz cut and toyed with the little plastic ring around the neck of his water while he stared intently at the floor. “Thad, I fucked up. There’s no excuse for it. I’m fully prepared to step down. Leave the estate, even. My being here is an embarrassment, and there’s no reason for me to stay on.”
    Thad’s fangs ripped through his gums. He shot across to Lee’s bench and knocked the older male to the floor before he could do more than drop his water bottle. This time, Lee was too surprised to fight back.
    â€œDon’t be stupid,” Thad growled.
    Lee’s head bounced off the floor mat. “Thad.”
    Thad tackled, and this time it wasn’t good-natured sparring. A choking, gurgling sound came out of Lee’s throat, and Thad pulled his knee off the older vampire’s neck. Slowly, Thad stood and backed to the other bench. His entire body was practically on fire.
    Lee was