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I added her to my list of people I shouldn't play poker with. Bain's rock-like, usually expressionless face was right at the top.
Dex, on the other hand, wore his feelings right up at the surface, where I could see them. Oh, I wasn't naive enough to think I knew what was going on in his head, but compared to the other two, he was a flashing neon sign.
"I thought the Sanctuary was safe." I put my suitcase on the floor beside a small table carved with leaves and swirls.
"It should be." Dex gave Bain a look as though he placed the blame squarely on the other man's shoulders.
Fair enough, I supposed. Bain was the head of the guards in the Residence. Still, he'd also been away for months.
"The guards who attacked us have been in the Residence for several years," Bain said. The only sign of annoyance or frustration was a flicker of a frown so minuscule I almost missed it.
"Did you know one was like me?" I asked. Okay, demanded. Although, I was sure I already knew the answer.
Bain shook his head, just slightly. "I didn't know there was anyone like you until you came here. Even after that. Your power isn't something I can sense."
That explained why the guard flew under the proverbial radar for so long. Did they even have radar here?
Whatever.
"You can sense intent," Dex pointed out.
Bain's shoulders slumped a fraction. "Evidently they were able to keep me from discerning that."
"There is another explanation," Kerina said. "This fight is new. None of us would have looked twice at anyone who had lived and worked here for that long. Someone might have enlisted them recently."
"Maybe you can line them up and ask them who is loyal," Dex said. His tone was short with obvious irritation. He clearly didn't appreciate anyone undermining him.
"Or we could try something more subtle," Bain suggested.
"Whatever it takes," Dex snapped. He rubbed his chin. "I don't want to have to remove anyone who isn't a wolf, just because a couple of tigers suggested there's a divide between shifters."
"Good," Kerina said dryly. "I would hate to think I'm under suspicion."
Dex regarded her for a moment. "Wouldn't someone planning a coup say exactly that?"
Kerina grinned. "Probably, but I'm not. It sounds like way too much hassle to me. And before you ask, I don't know anyone who is."
Silence fell.
If I had to guess, I'd say they were thinking, if any of the tigers were left alive, they might get some answers. I know that's what I was thinking. The hemitheos in particular might have told me more about the others, if they really existed. At this point, I had no reason to believe they didn't.
"Get some rest," Dex said to Kerina. He nodded to Bain to indicate he meant him as well.
"Keeper—" Bain started. He quirked an eyebrow in my direction.
"Viva can take care of herself," Dex said. "And I'll be here to keep an eye on her."
Bain's lips pressed into a tight line.
If I didn't know better, I might think he was worried Dex would have more than his eyes on me.
Was he jealous?
Interesting.
"The Alpha will arrive in a few hours," Dex continued. "I want you both ready to greet him. We'll have a lot to talk about."
Bain hesitated.
