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

Later the same night Shan checked his email, frowning at the response he received from Kayne. “He found nothing,” he told the others. “He also says there are no rumors, real or otherwise, about any powerful vampire sorcerers other than the one on the Continent who was the Master’s friend.”

“Which just says that whoever it was, he isn’t really a vampire,” Addie commented.

“No, it says if he is, he’s keeping himself well protected from discovery. Honestly, Addie, I can’t see anyone but a vampire wanting something from you these days. As ‘the Messenger’ said, it was your words in that minion’s ear which caused the King to end up truly dead. One can logically presume there are those who have a reason to hate you as a result.”

Race spoke up, asking, “Why couldn’t it be the one you just mentioned?”

“Because, according the Master, he never leaves the Continent and rarely even leaves his home, as he’s very reclusive. Besides, what reason would he have to be interested in Addie. He’s the one who warned us about the involvement of the man responsible for killing all of our friends and our families.”

Race nodded, again seeing the devastation cross Shan’s face; and Addie’s when he looked at her. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. I shouldn’t have asked.”

Addie patted his arm. “It’s all right. What happened happened, there’s no changing it and we’ve learned to handle it for the most part.”

Shan just nodded, ignoring the brief conversation because he no choice but to do so if he was going to stay in control. There wasn’t a day he didn’t think of Lav and miss him to the point of pain. He knew that was true for Addie as well and didn’t understand how she could talk so calmly about the loss of her lover and their family.

Concern limned Addie’s face as she covertly watched Shan bury himself in what he was doing on the computer. She worried about him. He kept it all inside now. He had almost since the beginning, being stoic on the outside, but she knew his thinking of Lav still tore him up emotionally.

She glanced at Race as he stared at Shan and saw that he seemed as concerned as she was. Concerned and more, and a brief thought came to her—he might be just what Shan needed. Then she pushed it away, knowing it was too soon. Just as she was avoiding a certain man who she knew loved her, so Shan would back away fast from anyone who might come to care about him on a truly personal level. Perhaps in the future both she and Shan would open themselves to love again, who knew, but not now. She just prayed Race had enough sense to realize that, for both his and Shan’s sakes.