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forgive you the indiscretion."

 
    "It's nothing," the youth said shakily as he backed away.

 
    "Leave the pack and go," Cameron said in what he hoped was his most menacing tone. This young man needed a good scare.

 
    "No.”

 
    "What?" There was too much at stake here. Cameron decided the boy's curt refusal was foolhardy, and perhaps a good scare was not quite intimidating enough to convince him. Perhaps he needed to be taught a more severe lesson. Cameron started toward him bent on that very thing.

 
    The boy stood his ground, chin tilted upward in a strangely feminine gesture that almost stopped Cameron.

 
    "No?" Cameron's eyebrow rose in mockery. "Don't try to defy me. It will do you no good."

 
    The little hellion whipped out a gun and pointed it at him. "I kill thieftakers!"

 
    "Hell!" Cameron swore again.

 
    Despite the shaking fingers, Cameron had no doubt this boy would use the weapon. He could disarm the boy.

 
    Easily disarm him. Swiftly he brought his hand up, landing hard beneath the boy's wrist.

 
    The gun, that had moments before been pointed against Cameron, went flying into some green oblivion of forest and moss.

 
    Retribution could be quite satisfying.

 
    Satisfying indeed. Yet he was about to be deprived of it. That very minute the juvenile turned and ran, disappearing into the mist and the trees.

 
    Seconds later Cameron picked up the sound of his quarry's rapid flight through the overgrown and nearly forgotten trail.

 
    He moved swiftly through the forest and its pathways, as if he had intimate knowledge of every tree and bush within.

 
    And he did.

 
    But the boy proved elusive.

 
    Cameron came to a complete stop, warily searching the surrounding area, listening intently for any sound, or a subtle mistake. Only silence prevailed in the forest.

 
    Suddenly a camouflaged waif darted between two trees. Cameron followed. As he managed to close the distance between the two of them, his adversary reached for a handful of dirt and grass. The debris hit him squarely in the face.

 
    "Damnation! Fight like a man or I'll treat you as I would a small child. You deserve a thrashing, by God." The dirt did not slow Cameron. He started after the brat once more.

 
    The boy slipped several times and was now scrambling on all fours as if he searched for something else to throw.

 
    "Just try it." There was nothing more in the little clearing for the urchin to grab hold.

 
    Cameron, more frustrated than he could ever recall, moved with lightning speed and agility. Like a thunderbolt, he crossed the few remaining feet between them and tackled the boy.

 
    Fragile hips suddenly lay between his thighs, and something within him quickened as he held the soft form. Sheer amazement at the sudden insight held him still for a second.

 
    Even as she struggled again, with what should have been the last of her strength in a final bid for freedom, beating upon his chest with her small fists, Cameron tried to decide what should be done with her. He caught her wrists and held them still.

 
    "Who are you?" he challenged.

 
    Nothing had changed, except...

 
    This tiny thing provoked every tender emotion within him and it seemed his blood quickened, heated, bolted to life. The girl's teeth were gritted tightly as she struggled against his hold. She arched and bucked, finally managing to loosen an arm. Instantly, she clawed and slapped at his face.

 
    Someone who fought so hard must have something to hide. He found her wrists, forcing them together and high over her head where they could do him no more harm.

 
    "Now, little fool," Cameron began and eased his weight a fraction. "Be still. I don't want to hurt you."

 
    Her eyes fastened on his uniform, on the emblem of the thieftaker and she began the struggle anew, fighting fiercely and trying to dislodge him with a diligent fervor.

 
    "Hold!" Cameron swore even as he admired her stubborn courage. "But you are asking for serious