Let the Night Begin (23 page)

“Did you get a package from Temple?” he asked.

Reign shook his head. “No, but I haven't opened all my mail yet.” He rubbed a hand over his jaw as he glanced toward the pile of packages and envelopes on his desk. “You know, I heard the damnedest rumor about him.”

“He's been abducted,” Saint said bluntly.

Olivia grabbed his arm and Reign lifted his face to the ceiling. “The Order of the Silver Palm?”

Saint had one dark brow arched when Reign lowered his chin. “I take it you've heard of them?”

Briefly, Reign filled him in on what had happened in Scotland, leaving out of course, that Olivia had originally planned to hand him over to the Order.

“They're behind the murders as well.” Saint pushed his thick hair back from his face, revealing a faint mass of delicate scarring. There was a similar pattern on the back of his hands. “They tried to nab me as well.”

Reign touched his face where the silver net had brushed his skin, knowing that the pattern burned into his flesh matched the one Saint wore. “What the hell do they want?”

“I don't know, but Temple wants us to go to Italy. Go look for a box from him.”

His three companions followed him to the desk where Reign brusquely rifled through the packages there. He found the box within seconds and
tore open the paper wrapping. Inside was a silver amulet and a note telling him to go to an address in Rome.

Saint nodded at the amulet. “Pick it up.”

Dubious, Reign nevertheless did as his friend instructed. “It doesn't burn.” Wonder turned to revelation. “It's part of the Blood Grail!”

“The cup that turned the five of you?” Olivia asked.

Saint nodded. “For some reason Temple melted it down and sent us pieces. I'd wager that Bishop and Chapel received similar packages.”

Reign's jaw tightened as his fingers closed around the silver. Energy tingled through his arm. “Temple knew the Order was up to something.”

“Or it could be a trap,” Olivia suggested, ever suspicious.

Reign shook his head. “The Order would want the cup intact, I think. No, Temple did this.”

“Then we have to do what he asks.” Olivia nodded sharply. “We have to go to Rome and save him.”

Reign turned to her. She wasn't tired of saving people? “You are the most amazing woman.”

She grinned. “Yes.”

Saint and Ivy watched both of them with sly grins, as though they understood this strange magic Reign felt whenever Olivia was near.

“We planned to leave tomorrow night,” Saint said.

Reign tore his gaze away from his wife. “If you can wait an extra two days, you can come with us. I've a ship booked to take us to Calais. We can travel by private train car from there to Venice.”

Saint grinned. “You always were a useful sort.”

Reign returned the smile, a rush of excitement coursing through his veins. Obviously he hadn't had enough adventure in Scotland. They would go to Clovelly and close Olivia's house and ship her belongings to the new place in Paris. They could settle into their new home after the Order was defeated.

Saint and Ivy stayed for an hour longer. After making quick plans to reunite two nights hence they spent the rest of the time sharing their experiences and knowledge of the Silver Palm.

The Order knew too much about them, and that wasn't good.

After Saint and Ivy took their leave, Reign and Olivia sat on the sofa in his study. “Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked her. As much as he wanted to pound the Silver Palm into the ground, as much as he wanted to help Temple, he wanted Olivia happy more. Perhaps more danger was exactly the diversion she needed to stop flaying herself over James.

“I am—not just for your friend, but for us and for James. I want to see those manipulating bastards pay for what they've done.”

“That's my bloodthirsty wife.” Laughing, he
cupped her cheek with his palm. “Do you know how much I love you?”

Big brown eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Yes,” she replied with absolute conviction. “I do, and someday I hope to show you the depths of my love for you.”

“You already have.” The night she risked her life rather than betray him.

Perhaps Reign's choices hadn't always been the right ones, but they had all contributed to bringing him where he was right now—with the woman he loved. With that thought in mind, Reign took Olivia in his arms and kissed her, knowing that regardless of where future choices took them, they would make the journey together.

K
ATHRYN
S
MITH

My husband says I have the best job in the world. The only thing that could top being paid to do what I love is if Avon Books decided that all their authors had to be hand-fed chocolate by Hugh Jackman, Gerard Butler, or John Cusack. But my husband probably wouldn't think so much of my job then, so instead I'll let him feed me chocolate and go on being forever thankful that I have the best job—and husband—in the world.

Please visit my website at
www.kathryn-smith.com.

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