(45) When all else is lost the future still remains

“Am I interrupting anything,” Kayne asked as he appeared late that evening in what Addie laughingly called the dining room .

“A fabulous supper of fresh fish, dried fruits, and what I think is supposed to be bread or rolls,” Race told him. “Want some?”

Kayne took one look at their meal and declined. “Surely there are deer and such around that you could kill and eat.” He shot a glace at Shan. “Especially you.”

“What makes you think I haven’t? After all I brought back the fish, which Race insisted we cook for some reason.”

“Sushi is so not me,” Race muttered. “Although, technically, it would be sashimi. The sushi I’ve had isn’t half bad.”

Shan’s eyebrow cocked. “Show off.”

“Be that as it may,” Kayne said as he pulled up the remaining chair, “I need to talk to all of you. Where is Addie?”

“She went for a bit of a walk to visit an old friend but should be back soon.”

“Old friend?”

Shan nodded. “Although he doesn’t know he is of course. He owns a small farm a few miles from here. She used to feed from him in emergencies. I offered to take her to town but she declined, as she did Race’s offer to let her have some of his blood.”

“The latter is just as well. The three of you will need to be in top form.”

Shan’s eyebrow went up yet again. “Then you know who we’re going to be dealing with?”

“I do, but I’d just as soon wait for Addie, so that I can tell all of you at once. That being the case, come boy.” He stood, beckoning Race to follow.

“Do I have to?” Race whispered to Shan.

Without stopping or turning around Kayne growled, “Yes, you do.”

“Why do I have a feeling I’m about to find out if I can pull rabbits out of hats,” Race grumbled as he got up to tag along behind Kayne to Shan’s training room.