Ronan stared into his glass. “He died.”
“I’m sorry.” Bree dropped the subject, since he seemed uncomfortable discussing it. “Cody said he’s from the Connor clan, but he lives in America.”
“His family’s been there a long time. Some secret mission. There are other warriors in America besides the Connor clan, but they all originated from Scotland. Warriors were sent to guard the new country. I’ve lived there the last few years myself, when I’m not hunting.”
“In America?”
“Montana. I was in Alaska for a while. We had a warrior who went rogue. I needed some time to clear my head, so I volunteered. I chased him to Montana. Liked it there, so I stayed, as much as any warrior stays put. Last month I was given a demon in Ireland, so here I am.”
“A warrior went rogue? They can do that?”
“Just like angels can fall. It’s a choice.”
“Like being a traitor?” she asked, and they both grew silent. Was he thinking of Angus’s pronouncement?
“Like being a traitor,” Ronan agreed.
“So what did you do with this rogue warrior?”
He studied a cookie then met Bree’s gaze. “That’s nothing for a bonny lass to worry about.”
Bree traced the circle on her glass. “Then tell me something else. What’s with Sorcha and Duncan?”
“Don’t tell me you can feel the tension.” He rested his elbows on the counter. A look of pain crossed his face. Did he have a thing for Sorcha too? “Duncan’s always been protective of her, but protecting Sorcha’s like protecting a porcupine. She makes it hard for him. Hmmm, I think that was a pun.”
Bree’s face warmed. “Are they together?” she asked. “I mean this whole mate thing?”
“Duncan’s never said anything, but for his sake, I hope not. I’d shoot myself first.” Ronan handed Bree another cookie.
“Do you think Faelan and Sorcha could be…” Bree’s voice hitched.
“Mates?” Ronan finished, watching her closely. “Does it matter?”
“I don’t know. She seems attracted to him.”
“Sorcha acts like that with all men. She does it to piss Duncan off.”
“Why?”
“Who knows why Sorcha does anything. I don’t know how he puts up with her. I’d throw her in Loch Ness and be done with her. As for Sorcha and Faelan being mates, there’s been some speculation since she was to come and wake him, but that’s about it. Speculation.” He popped another cookie. “So life threw you for a loop, waking a warrior from another century. Not just any warrior, but the Mighty Faelan.”
“It’s been interesting.”
“You two get along? I mean, he’s living in your house, sleeping there…” His tone was deceptively casual. She suspected everything about Ronan was deceptively casual.
“I guess so. He didn’t have much choice but stay, waking after a century with only the clothes on his back. Well, that and his dagger and talisman.”
“That’ll change soon enough. His money’s been invested all this time.”
“You’re kidding.”
“That’s what Sean said. A century and a half. Not bad, huh?”
“Does Faelan know?”
“Don’t know if Sean or Duncan mentioned it yet, with all the excitement.”
“He’ll be relieved. He hates depending on someone else. After this is over, he was going to get a job working with horses.”
“He could buy a hundred horse farms. Half the stock here came from Nandor’s line. Do you ride?”
“Me, on a horse? I have balance issues.” Bree smiled. “The cutest little boy offered to teach me to ride earlier. I’ve never seen so many happy kids.”
“We breed like rabbits. When a warrior finds his mate, he can’t think of anything else.” Ronan grinned. “Keeps the clan supplied with plenty of warriors.”
They munched in silence as Bree puzzled over Ronan’s words. Was that what Faelan’s appetite was about? Not a side effect from the time vault, but he’d met his mate? He was almost finished with his duty. Had he left behind a mate? He seemed guarded when she asked him about it earlier.
“Faelan speaks highly of you.”
“He does?”
“That surprises you?”
“He’s different lately.”
“Stands to reason. He’s got the world to save, demons to chase. And now we have mysterious time vaults popping up in cellars and castles vanishing into thin air.” He rubbed his chest and winced. A dark spot on his shirt seemed to be growing.
“Are you bleeding?”
