He didn’t want to lose his sister.
Don’t make me regret this, Seth spoke in Étienne’s head. “I will allow it for now,” he decreed.
Much to Étienne’s surprise, Krysta didn’t smile with relief.
“Until we have eliminated the mercenary threat,” he continued. “I would like the two of you to either stay here at David’s home . . .”
“You are both welcome for as long as you wish,” David said.
“. . . or remain with Étienne at his,” Seth continued. “You have both now become targets of the mercenaries and will fare better with an immortal’s protection.”
The rest of the meeting comprised logistics. The siblings opted to stay with Étienne, who couldn’t be more pleased with the decision. Sean would have to refrain from attending classes until this was resolved, but would spend time at network headquarters working with Dr. Lipton and gaining a greater understanding of the virus in the meantime. Krysta would hunt with Étienne at night and train with him during the day.
Étienne was happier than he would’ve thought about that. Was he already so drawn to her that he would use any excuse to spend time with her? Even if it put her in danger?
Which it wouldn’t. He would keep her safe and ensure no harm befell her.
The ride home was quiet.
When Cam and Sean headed into the house, Étienne held Krysta back.
Guards still walked the perimeter, he noted, but those near the house had been dismissed.
She crossed her arms under her breasts and avoided his gaze.
Once the door closed behind the others, Étienne tilted her chin up. “What troubles you?”
For a moment, he thought she wouldn’t respond.
“Am I really a liability?” she asked, voice low.
He didn’t know how to answer that, whether he should be honest or sugarcoat it. Since he would’ve preferred to hear the truth if he were in her position, he opted for that. “Yes.”
“Then why did you agree to hunt with me?”
“Because I know how much hunting means to you. And, though the thought of you continuing to hunt terrifies me, I want you to be happy.”
At last, she met his gaze. “Why?”
“Because I care about you.”
“You barely know me.”
“I’ve been following you and learning everything I can about you since the night we met. I’ve listened to your conversations with your brother. I’ve caught occasional glimpses of your thoughts. I’ve fought beside you, both when you were awake and while you dreamed.”
“That was you in my dream?”
He nodded and tucked her hair behind one ear to expose her troubled features to the moonlight. “I know you,” he said simply.
She chewed her lower lip. “I don’t want to endanger you, Étienne.”
“You won’t.”
“I already have. I don’t want you to sacrifice yourself for me again.”
“At the risk of angering you, in this instance I don’t care what you want. If hunting endangers your life, I will do whatever it takes to protect you.” He rested a hand on her lower back and urged her toward the door.
He loved touching her. Even casually. And he loved that she let him.
“Now,” he said while she pondered his words, “you’ve already donned hunting clothes. And filched some of the weapons my sister left in her room. Before we embark on the night’s hunt, you may have your pick of the weapons in my armory.”
“We’re hunting tonight?”
“If you’re up to it.”
At last he won a faint smile from her. “I don’t know. What if you don’t have all of the weapons I need?”
He grinned. “I’m sure we can find something.”
A minute later his smile broadened as Krysta surveyed, with wide eyes and gaping mouth, the vast array of weaponry in his armory.
“Ho-ly crap!” she breathed.
Étienne laughed. “Think you can make do?”
“Uh . . . yeah. But it may take me several hours to choose.”
It was quite a selection. He usually kept on hand enough swords of varying lengths and styles, daggers, throwing stars, and more to outfit himself, his brother, his sister, and their three Seconds on any given night. With some left over for immortal visitors.
She strolled around the room, studying the blades displayed on the walls. “Could I just say holy crap again?”
Again he laughed. “This is only the portion of my collection that I keep in this home.”
She looked at him curiously. “You have others?”
He nodded. “In various countries. Many immortals own multiple homes. When we’ve been stationed in one place for long periods of time, it’s sometimes hard to move on and abandon what we’ve built there.”