they still made use of his extensive criminal network, and living

together as they did, united in a common cause, it was often easy to

forget what he had been. Or where the money they were living on

had come from. Except for times like now, when it was forcibly

brought home to them. In some ways, Modred hadn’t really

changed at all. And never would.

“Pity?” Modred said, raising his eyebrows. “Compassion?” He

smiled faintly. “Would it surprise you if I admitted that I was

capable of those emotions? I am, you know. But being capable of

feeling such emotions is not the same as being ruled by them.”

“Well, I’m sorry, but I haven’t had two thousand years in which

to learn how to turn my emotions on and off at will, ” said Kira.

“And I haven’t had much practice in killing people, either.”

Modred looked at her curiously. Billy and Makepeace watched

them both, looking ill at ease.

“Kira… ” Wyrdrune said gently. “Lighten up, okay?”

She met his eyes for a moment, then looked away guiltily.

“I’m sorry, ” she said softly.

“We’re all under a great deal of stress, ” said Merlin.

Kira sat hunched over, staring at the runestone in her palm.

“Sometimes I hate these damn things, ” she said savagely. “Why

aren’t they doing anything? Why the hell can’t they tell us…”

Her voice trailed off. She got up suddenly and went into the

bedroom, slamming the door behind her. Modred stared after her, a

slight frown on his face.

“Sometimes I forget how young she really is, ” he said.

Makepeace raised his eyebrows. “You think it’s just her youth?”

Wyrdrune shot him a warning glance. He suddenly realized that

Makepeace knew. He didn’t know how, but he knew. Makepeace

caught the look.

“What, then?” asked Modred, missing their exchange of glances.

Makepeace simply shrugged. “Women can be very complicated, ”

he said, and let it go at that.