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kidnapped, hasn't she?"

"You can't go alone," insisted Rulla. "It could be a ruse on Ghezu's part to get you to Stronghold."

Kaid snorted in disgust.

Kusac could feel himself getting angry. "No one's leaving here till I know exactly what's going on!"

"Liegen, I haven't got time for this now," said Kaid, his ears giving the faintest flick of annoyance. "It's already over an hour since Vanna was taken."

Kusac leaned back against the door. "Then you'd better tell me now why Stronghold's suddenly so interested in Vanna— and us." He watched Kaid's eyes narrow as the other male sized him up. "Remember your oath," he said quietly.

"I don't need you to remind me, my Liege." Kaid's voice was emotionless now. "You have your Leska to look after. She's still very weak."

"Dammit, Kaid!" Now he was really angry. "You two woke me with all the mental noise you were making, and that despite the psychic damper in our room! Luckily Carrie's still sedated. Vanna's one of my people— as are you. I want to know what's happened, and I want to know now!"

"I haven't the time, Liege. T'Chebbi's waiting outside in the aircar." Kaid's tone was equally implacable.

Abruptly Kusac reached behind him and pulled the door open. "Then tell me on the way." He turned and headed down the corridor toward the side exit that led to his family's private vehicle park.

He'd barely taken half a dozen steps when he heard the sound of feet behind him and his left arm was grasped firmly.

Trying to bite back the yelp of pain that rose to his lips, he turned round, his good arm unconsciously going up to cradle the wounded one.

"Liege, you can't go," said Kaid. "You're injured. I did no more than touch you and you're gray with pain. You'd be a liability to me."

"Liege is it now, Kaid?" Kusac kept his tone light as he attempted to move away from his bodyguard. "Then release me, and stop wasting more time."

"Yes, it's Liege now, since you chose to remind me of my oath." His eyes flicked across Kusac's face. "What the hell's got into you?" he demanded. "This isn't like you at all."

"Maybe not," replied Kusac, breathing more rapidly to try and ease the pain from his shoulder. "You told us it was over, that the last assassin was dead, and now we find that we still have enemies. It's time we started not only looking after ourselves, but also our friends. Carrie and I've faced death too often recently, Kaid. It doesn't hold any fears for either of us anymore. We won't hide behind you or anyone else again."

"It's not that simple, Liege." Kaid let go of his arm. "This may be why Dzaka took Vanna to Stronghold— to flush you out and bring you there after her. Particularly as he knew you'd spent the night together."

"Then we'd best not keep them waiting." Kusac turned again toward the exit.

"Liege! I can't protect you and fetch Vanna back!" His tone was exasperated.

"Rulla," Kusac said over his shoulder, "How's your head?"

"I'll survive, Liegen," said Rulla.

"Good. You'll accompany us."

"Yes, Liegen," came the satisfied reply.

Kaid let out a low rumble of anger as he stepped yet again in front of Kusac. "You still don't understand. If I arrive at Stronghold accompanied by you, Rulla, and T'Chebbi, it'll mean a showdown that we can't afford at this time."

Kusac stopped again, staring Kaid straight in the eyes. "A showdown, Kaid?" He cocked one ear forward. "Why should there be a showdown because I arrive with an escort to collect my friend Vanna?"

"Vanna didn't go voluntarily."

"I gathered that when you mentioned Rulla had been hit on the head," said Kusac dryly. "When I left her a couple of hours ago, Vanna had no intention of going anywhere but the Guild. I can also tell you that she's probably unconscious, in a shielded area, or they've given her a psychic suppressant. What else should I know, Kaid? How about telling me why Stronghold's so interested in us."

Kaid's eyes narrowed again. "Very well, Liege," he said abruptly, moving aside and drawing Kusac