Several children lounged around, and a couple adults were sipping coffee, keeping watch over everything. When Andra came in, everyone stopped what they were doing and stared.
“What is this place?” she asked Paul.
“We call it Dabyr. It’s home for about five hundred men, women, and children.”
“You mean those kids live here? It’s not just a vacation spot?”
“That’s right.”
“Why?”
“Some because their parents live here, though most of them are orphans under our care. Today was a school day, but now that the school day is over, they hang out and do kid stuff.”
“But it’s summer.”
Paul smiled. “We like to keep them busy so they stay out of trouble.”
“They don’t look like they’re causing any trouble to me,” said Andra.
“That’s usually when they’re at their worst. Especially the teens. They’re always planning something—fighting against the confines of this place.”
“I would have loved to have a place like this to go when I was a kid.”
“You say that now, but many of these kids have no choice about being here. They can stay here, or they can die when the Synestryn hunt them down for food. That kind of thing grates on the more rebellious teens.”
“Do they make any other kind?” she asked.
“Not since I’ve been alive.”
They passed through the dining area and turned right, entering a long hallway. “Where are we going?”
“I thought we could check to be sure Nika is settled in my suite before we go see Joseph Rayd.”
His wide shoulders stretched the gray knit of his shirt, letting her see the yummy bulge of muscles over his back. His dark blond hair was mussed, and from her side view she could tell he was in desperate need of a shave.
Or maybe not. The soft scratch of those whiskers over her skin would be a pleasurable sort of pain—the kind a woman could definitely get used to. Paul knew what he was doing when it came to giving her pleasure.
“Who is Joseph Rayd?”
“The unlucky bastard who was elected to lead us. He keeps us all in line—as much as anyone could. He’ll need to know about you and Nika.”
“He’s going to agree to help her, right?”
“He will. Nika is one of ours now.”
Andra let out a slow breath of relief. She was sure that if anyone could help Nika, it would be these people.
Paul led her down another long hallway that reminded her of a hotel. Doors lined each side, though they were farther apart than in any hotel she’d stayed in. At a door near the end of the hall, he slid a key card in the lock and opened the door for her to enter first.
Andra was shocked to find that though it looked like a hotel room from the outside, inside it looked like a normal home. The place was neat, with only a few pieces of art on the walls—all seascapes. One wall was lined with shelves that groaned with the weight of hundreds of books. The couch and matching recliner were worn, but looked comfortable, and the flat-screen TV nearly took up one wall all by itself. A small kitchen was tucked into one corner, with a round table and two chairs crowding the space.
“Took you long enough,” said Madoc in a low voice. He quietly shut the door he’d just come out of so the latch didn’t even click. In his hand was an empty water glass.
“How did you get in my rooms?” asked Paul.
“Morgan had Nicholas pop the lock remotely.” Madoc went to Paul’s kitchen and ducked his head to peer into the refrigerator.
Andra nodded to the glass. “Did you get her to drink?”
“Yeah. She’s sleeping again, though.”
“Good. Where did Morgan go?” asked Andra.
Madoc pulled out a beer, opened it, and took a long pull from the bottle. “I’m sure he went to tell everyone we’ve found two more women. This place is going to be crawling with men within the hour.”
“I’ve got to go see Joseph,” said Paul.
“Then I’m staying here with Nika.” Madoc pulled a chair out from the small kitchen table and crammed his body into the tight space. He leaned back and got comfortable, as if he weren’t planning to leave anytime soon.
Paul gave a grudging nod. “Fine. Stay.” He turned to Andra. “You should stay here, too.”
“I think I should talk to this leader guy with you. Just in case he needs any convincing to help Nika.”
Paul’s mouth tightened. “I don’t think that’s going to be a problem.”
“Maybe not, but if I go along, then I can make sure it’s not.”
“Suit yourself.”
Andra dropped her overnight bag and followed Paul to the door. He opened and held it for her to exit. When she hit the hotel-style hall, she was jarred again by the fact that this wasn’t some suburban home. And then she was jarred even more when she collided with the chest of a man coming down the hall.
Andra bounced off the man and Paul steadied her before she could fall on her ass and humiliate herself further. Paul’s hands were surprisingly strong, even for a guy as big as he was, and though she was steady on her feet, he didn’t let go. He kept a loose grip on her waist and elbow, and his touch caused a surge of heat to lance through her stomach. She knew she should pull away, but it felt too good to be touched by such strong, capable hands. She’d seen what the man could do with a sword—the brutal lethality he was capable of—but right now, all she felt was gentleness and warmth and tingly spirals rioting around in her belly.