She checked the urge to slap herself. No matter the Pookah's feelings, hers were undeniable, and paining to the bone. At her core, she loved Kelvin. And it was slowly killing her.

Maybe she could find a way to free him-allow him to bond with someone else, someone immortal. If only her Poet magic had come to fruition, she'd be able to talk him into leaving her. For now, her only answer was to stay as far away from him as possible. Her first priority was to find her grandfather, if only to talk with him for a moment. Sentries were supposed to be the most powerful beings of all realms. Surely he could help. Would know what to do. Was it a perfect solution? No. But it was the best idea she'd had so far. If she could get this connection with Kelvin reversed, perhaps she could focus on her responsibilities, try to have a normal life.

Maybe salvage what little dignity I have left.

She needed a new path. She needed perspective. The moment she'd landed in Scotland, her life had been in the grasp of others. No, she hadn't had a choice when Euan put the spell on her, but she did now.

"Hey," Ramsey called out, walking into her room and snapping her from her thoughts. She gave him a tight smile and resumed staring at the ground.

"How's the prisoner?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent.

He shrugged and sat next to her. "Other than his incapability of shutting up, he's fine." He leaned over slightly, nudging her shoulder. "He keeps asking-well, roaring-for you."

Her head bobbed absently as she looked to her friend. "Ram, I have to get out of here." She swallowed hard. "I'm so lost. I mean"-a small laugh escaped her lips-"I sit here, going over all these things in my head and feeling as though no choice is right. How can I want something I shouldn't? How can I be what I need to be when a part of me is missing?"

He patted her shoulder. "I donna know, lass. These things donna always make sense at first-"

"Or ever," she chimed in.

"Aye." He caught her stare and smiled. "You know, if you're looking for a road-trip buddy, I know just the person."

Her brows furrowed.

"Andy located a seeker. He's in the Ukraine and supposedly can tap inta the Cypher. He's departing this night. He's gonna try ta talk to your gramps."

She shot off the bed and spun to face Ramsey. "Then I'm going!"

He leaned back on his elbows. "Well, I never thought of that," he grinned.

This was perfect! She could get out of the castle, find her grandfather, and fix this whole mess.

"Oh no... I"-she looked down her body-"I smell."

He crinkled his nose. "Aye. You kind of smell like a Pookah. Ghastly creatures-"

"You know what I mean. I'm human, and I don't have my potion anymore. How can I get to the Ukraine unnoticed?"

He gave her an exaggerated frown. "Who said anything about going unnoticed?" She rolled her eyes in response. "Okay, so you're human, and yes, most creatures will probably take one sniff of ya and start drooling, but luckily I was no' jesting when I say you kind of smell like a Pookah."

She looked at Ramsey, not sure if she wanted elaboration, but her face must have shown her confusion.

"You're his mate," he shrugged. "I'm sure that when you two"-he waved his hand in front of her, not quite meeting her eyes-"you know"-she rolled her eyes again-"you were sealed. But ya know the best person to ask about all this is the Pookah." Ramsey tapped his chin and looked around the room. "Don't we have one locked away somewhere around here?"

Izel smiled and shoved at his arm.

"Now that ya smell like a human mixed with a Pookah, on a mission ta kick some ass and gain some answers... I'm sure Andy can keep ya safe enough. And who knows," he said, smiling, "maybe you'll come in ta your powers sooner than later and be able ta mask yourself."

Ramsey was a breath of fresh air. Always making things better. "Don't get me wrong," he leaned up and held out his palms. "That mortal ass of yours is probably gonna have some hiking ta do."

Great.

"Look on the bright side." He caught her stare. "At least you'll be with Andrew... and have a chance to really make him miserable."

She smiled and flicked her hair. "Well, that is something to look forward to."

He stood, grinning. "Shall I inform the Campbell Battle Chief you wish ta speak with him, then?"

Chin jutting up, she sweetly replied, "Yes, please."

Ramsey bowed. "See ya in the command room in ten."

Izel exhaled loudly, mentally preparing for another showdown with Andrew Thompson.

"Andrew?" Izel cleared her throat, standing in front of the mahogany table in the command room. The Warrior was sitting on the opposite side, going through piles of paper on the table before him.

"Yes," he said absently, not sparing her a glance. She looked him over. Their last conversation hadn't ended well and she would prefer to not have to get into that again.

Andrew always looked and seemed collected. His white button-down shirt was nicely pressed, the sleeves rolled up to the elbows. For the first time, she noticed his tattoos. The same markings as Ramsey's were etched onto his wrist and forearm.

Despite not knowing his true immortal age, she'd guess he was somewhere around two hundred, though he looked to be twenty-nine. His thick black hair was nicely maintained in a professional, well-kept style. As usual, his chiseled jaw and chin were clean-shaven. Looking closer, she saw the faintest laugh lines around his eyes, although she couldn't recall ever seeing him smile.

Andrew Thompson was not a bad man, he was just not the warm and fuzzy type. Had she not been sure he suffered from a mean case of asshole-itis, she might go so far as to say he was attractive. She knew he had taken on a lot of responsibility, and the recent events certainly hadn't made things easier on him. Taking a deep breath, she pushed kindness into her voice.

"I'd like to accompany you on the trip to Ukraine. I understand that a seeker lives there with the ability to tap into the Cypher and speak with Sentries."

He flicked the papers in his hands, shooting a glare at Ramsey. "No," he said simply, returning to the task before him.

She pulled out a chair directly across from him. Folding her hands on the polished wood, she leaned forward. "Andrew, so much has happened beyond all of us." He stopped shuffling papers but still didn't look at her. "You personally have sacrificed greatly. I can only imagine what you must be feeling."

"I'm feeling"-his gray eyes shot to her-"like I need to protect my clan."

She raised her chin, holding his stare. "And I feel the same." This was her one shot to at least try to find a middle ground with Andrew. Although she didn't know him well, she believed he had good intentions.

"I need to go with you. If this seeker can in fact make it possible for me to speak with my grandfather, then I must be there."

He glared at her one last time before returning to the papers beneath his hands. "It's too dangerous, Izel."

She glanced at Ramsey. He raised his brows at her in silent support. "You can protect me." Men loved compliments, right? He opened his mouth and she knew he was about to argue that point. "I'm asking you kindly to take me." He leaned in and whispered, "Though we both know I can simply order you to."

His vicious gaze narrowed on her. Damn it! She was trying so hard to get him to take her willingly. God knew the trip would go much more smoothly, not to mention that being hated by the Battle Chief of your clan didn't sit well for anyone. "He's my grandfather, Andrew. If for no other reason, take me because I'm his kin, and because I miss him." She glanced at her hands. "I need to set this right. I need to speak with him."

Andrew let out a loud breath. He looked over at Ramsey, then to Lennox, who stood behind him. Both Fionns gave a curt nod.

"All right," he said reluctantly.

Before she could thank him, he held up his hand. "But," he said swiftly, "you must first tell me what you know."

"What I know?"

"Euan's journal," he prompted.

Her shoulders sank. "I don't have it. I left it behind."

"I thought you said that you had read some of it." His voice was almost a growl. When she nodded, he made a gesture with his hand, signaling. "Let's hear it."

She shuffled through her memory, trying to recall what the journal contained. "He wrote that I'm human, but I still have Fionn blood in me. I possess power from all three castes." She looked to the ceiling as if the words were written there. "I've only to access them."

Andrew laced his fingers together on the table and leaned in intently. Lennox and Ramsey also eyed her with interest.

"He also wrote that... um..." She hated admitting this next part. "A single encounter with a Pookah would change my fate." She risked a glance at the Fionns before her. Lennox's jaw was on the floor, Ramsey gave a nonhumorous chuckle, and Andrew looked as though he'd known this already but was still about to kill someone.

My money's on either me or Kelvin.

"Oh"-she snapped her finger-"he also mentioned the Zarr." All three men traded glances, and for a brief moment she had faded from scrutiny. Thank God.

"Why the hell would he mention the Zarrs?" Ramsey asked Andrew.

"And which Zarr is he speaking of?" Lennox added.

"Um, yoo-hoo." Izel held up her hand. "What are the Zarrs?"

Did Andrew just roll his eyes at her? "They are the last three Strigois in this realm. Bloody Silas Zarr practically runs Hell."

"So it's Silas then?" Ramsey asked.

Andrew shook his head, "Maybe, but Euan could be referring to all of them."

"What are Strigois?" Izel asked, hating that once again she wasn't familiar with the beings of this realm.

Andrew pinched the bridge of his nose. "They feed on blood and their touch burns all other beings."

Her pulse sped up. "They're vampires?"

"Not exactly."

"Word has it that Imogene Zarr is the Reaper. Death herself," Lennox added.

Andrew shot a look at Izel. "Enough talk of this. Is there anything else from the journal we need to know?"

She shook her head and Andrew scooted away from the table and rose. "Euan writes of the Zarrs and we have demons walking the realm."

"Coincidence?" Ramsey offered.

Both Andrew and Lennox shot him an annoyed look.

Ramsey lowered his head, displaying his palms.

Andrew's stormy gaze landed on her. "You better go pack."

Chapter 29.

Kelvin was hoarse from roaring for Izel for the past several hours. In fact, he hadn't stopped yelling, begging her to return. His instinct was louder than ever. After last night, he was going crazed by the distance between them. He needed to be near her, to protect her.

Christ! His whole being was created solely to pleasure and safeguard hers and he was currently failing his purpose. His body ached, his blood sluggish and thick in his veins. He was suffocating without her.

When he heard the soft steps of her approaching footfalls, he nearly went to his knees in thanks. The closer she got, the more he scented her, felt her. He was like a caged dog, circling and sniffing at the bars and awaiting his treat. Awaiting his female.

"Kelvin." Her sweet voice was laced with intent. Every time he laid eyes upon her, he could swear she was lovelier than the time before. "I came to say good-bye."

He gripped the bars. "They finally convinced ya ta off me, then?"

Her green eyes shot wide and she gasped. "No!"

Gaze locked on her, he studied her face. She genuinely didn't want to see him hurt. She was a far better being than he. Such a pure soul.

"No It's me. I am leaving."

Fury coursed through him. "The hell you are!"

She frowned and stepped closer. "I'm going with Andrew to-"

"Oh, bloody hell no. That weakling could no' protect you even if he tried, and I'll be damned if you-"

"You," she drawled, "don't have any say in what I do."

His pulse was in his ears. The need to kill Thompson became overwhelming. He thinks ta take my female? I'll cut off his hands first.

"We're going to see a seeker. Hopefully he can tap into the Cypher and I'll get a chance to speak with my grandfather." Her voice was calm, but Kelvin's grip on the steel only tightened. "He's a Sentry. Forever bound to the Cypher with no hope of returning to this realm. He sacrificed himself for me. I can't let that go to waste because of my mistakes." She spared him only a glance before returning her gaze to the ground.

His head shook as he tried to gain composure. After last night, he was certain he could reclaim her. Win her back. At the very least, she was attracted to him. He could build from that. But to be in this godforsaken place without her? Never!

"I will escort you, then," the Pookah said as if not locked in the cell. She crossed her arms over her middle, secretly loving his tenacity and pride. Still, there was no way she could release him, not until she returned. She'd already asked Ramsey to keep an eye on him while she was gone and make sure no one hurt him. If she freed him now, he would most likely follow her, and the last thing she wanted was a fight between Andrew and Kelvin just when she was finally on the path to answers.

"The last time you were my escort, I ended up bloody, beaten, and nearly dead. And that was just the physiological damage."

She hadn't meant to say the last part. She had practiced all afternoon, trying to prepare for facing the Pookah again. Over and over she'd told herself to be strong, not give an inch. All she could do was pray that Kelvin couldn't see through her facade of indifference.

"Love, you can no' leave without me. I am your protector. I must be with you. We're bound." His voice was raspy and she almost believed that he truly wanted to be with her.

"No," she whispered. "You don't protect me; you hurt me."