Trent’s arm was still around me as I shook the warden’s hand. “I can’t promise that as long as I have someone who thinks it’s funny to fling me across the continent. Thanks for your hospitality.”
The warden’s eyes narrowed. “Once is an accident, twice and I’ll lock you up until a court order tells me otherwise. Understand?”
Trent stiffened, and I tugged him closer. “I told you I’m having a problem right now and that I appreciate your understanding. If you try to lock me up, I’ll tear a hole in your island so big it will sink.” My smile widened. “Hey, I appreciate the shower and change of clothes. Is there somewhere I can send them when I get home?”
The warden’s gaze went from me to Trent, probably trying to decide if I was being serious. “Ah, keep them,” he said when Trent hid a smile behind a cough.
Pike shifted impatiently, and I pressed into Trent, enjoying his warmth. I could almost pretend we were leaving a behind-the-scenes tour. A little too much behind the scenes.
“Sir,” Trent said as he leaned past me and shook the warden’s hand in farewell. “If this happens again, call me.” He slipped him a card, adding, “Before she sinks your island.”
Turning away, Pike stomped down the light-spotted dock to the boat.
“Bye! Thanks again for the shower!” I called out as Trent tugged me into motion and we followed Pike, clasped hands swinging. Leaning in, I gave his hand a squeeze. “I can threaten people all on my own,” I said, and Trent chuckled.
“You can’t begrudge me some fun, eh? It took me an hour to get here.”
I couldn’t seem to bring myself to let go of his hand as we made the easy move to the boat and the two crew members in their thick wool coats and gloves pulled the ramp aboard. The engine was a heavy thrum, and we went to the back of the boat and out of the way as the boat was cast off and we pushed from the dark dock.
Pike had already put himself up front by the captain, out of the wind, and Trent and I sat on the cold, water-splashed seats at the back. It was a sightseeing boat, and I wondered how much it had cost to rent it and the crew for the late-evening jaunt.
But the island was already shrinking behind me, and I didn’t even care that my seat was wet. “I shouldn’t have said all that,” I half shouted over the roar of the engine. “I mean, he could have locked me up or held me for trespassing.”
Trent leaned in, lips brushing my ear. “True, but he didn’t. You must have done something right.”
I laughed somewhat sourly as I remembered my fight with Lenore. “Busted the Rock’s bully is all. Held my ground. Stayed calm.” I shifted into him, appreciating his warmth as the boat hit the heavier waves and began bouncing. “Followed the rules,” I added, softer. “Let them make themselves feel safe.” Didn’t use elven magic. “Thanks for coming out here. I might be able to get an earlier flight now. I wasn’t looking forward to trying to snag a spot on a red-eye. People without light restrictions always get bumped.” I smiled up at him, glad he was here. “How on earth did you get here so fast?”
His gaze was on San Francisco, the city’s lights beginning to glow in the early night. “I was at the Jetway ready to head home when you called.”
I rubbed my ring, a dull gray in the dim light. “You don’t think they’re going to give me any trouble about being in San Francisco, do you?”
He smiled to show his teeth and gave my hand a squeeze. “I won’t tell if you don’t,” he said, but it was likely the local police knew where I was. “I should be thanking you. I needed to get out of there. Ellasbeth is driving me crazy. I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve arranged for our flight home.” His gaze lifted to Pike. “All three of us.”
“Wait. You’re coming, too?” I stammered, and from beside the captain, Pike met my eyes. Yep, he was hearing everything despite the loud engine and being fifteen feet away. “No. I’ve got this. I can’t do this and protect you at the same time. Besides, you have to stay here and get your Sa’han status back.”
“As far as I’m concerned, I never lost it,” Trent said, his expression cross. He wasn’t angry at me, but the people he’d been politely and politically arguing with the last few days.
“You know what I mean.” I gave his hand a squeeze, and Pike closed his eyes again, napping in the lee of the wind beside the captain.
“I might return after it’s settled,” Trent said, face tight. “Pick up a few things from home first. Like my sanity. I believe I left it in my sock drawer.”
I stared at him, never having heard quite this brand of sarcasm from him.
“The Goddess help me, I missed you,” he said, leaning to kiss me though the jostling of the boat made it awkward. “Believe it or not, the enclave wants me to go back to Cincy,” Trent whispered as he tugged me closer.
“Maybe they’re hoping you’ll get caught up in everything and die,” I whispered, and he made a soft “mmmm” of agreement.
“Perhaps,” he said. “I told the enclave about Constance taking Zack and refusing to let him go until he agrees to do her bidding. I can’t tell if they’re more upset that a vampire is breaking tradition by trying to wield power over them, or that their intel didn’t know about it. I told them you were handling it, but when word got out that you were in Alcatraz, I stretched the truth to let them think that you were there checking out a lead.” He smiled with half his mouth. “I’m officially here to learn what you found out.”
“That Lenore still has a mean right cross,” I said, and he tugged me closer. But at least I didn’t look like a flake to the entire elven enclave, and I rested easy against him despite the boat thumping into the black waves. Pike was pretending to be asleep again, but I saw one eye open when a deckhand went past him to go below.
“I’ve been asked to accompany you until he’s safe,” Trent said. “Truth be told, I think they want me on the other side of the continent so they can talk about me.”
“Gawd, it’s like high school,” I said to lighten everything up, but Trent’s jaw tightened.
“Actually, there’s a good chance they’re going to use this conflict to evaluate us.”
“Oh.” I hesitated, thinking that over. “Us as in an effective team in promoting elven issues? Or us as a couple?”
“I’d say that’s about right.” Trent was clearly peeved, and his attention went to the second deckhand going below as well.
“So . . . I guess that precludes me asking you to sit this out, huh?”
Trent grinned and gave me a light kiss. “I’d say that’s about right, as well.”