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dear. Ten of Swords.”
    “Is that bad?” A dumb question since Jean-Luc could see the card’s depiction of a dead man on the ground with ten swords in his back.
    “Desolation,” Fidelia answered. “Your fate is tracking you down, and there is nothing you can do to avoid it.”
    “Louie,” Heather whispered, and squeezed the pillow tighter.
    “I won’t let him harm you,” Jean-Luc assured her.
    Fidelia turned the fourth card. “Eight of Swords, reversed. Your past has come back to haunt you.”
    He shifted in his chair. This was too close for comfort.
    Fidelia flipped over the fifth card. “Knight of Swords.” She shook her head with a confused look.
    “That’s bad, too?”
    “No, good. You are brave like Sir Lancelot and a defender of women.” Fidelia sighed. “I just find it odd that you would select so many Sword cards. There are three other suits. The chance of picking cards from only one suit is rare.”
    Jean-Luc shrugged. “I am a swordsman.”
    “The swords stand for reason.” Fidelia narrowed her eyes. “It must mean you have been concentrating on your intellect and ignoring the needs of your heart.”
    “I had no choice. I couldn’t risk a relationship with anyone because of Lui.”
    “How old is Louie?” Heather whispered.
    Jean-Luc stiffened, then forced himself to lounge back in the chair nonchalantly. “He is…older than I.”
    Heather watched him closely, her fingers digging into the soft chenille pillow. “How old would that be?”
    Merde. She was on to him. How could he gain her trust if he had to keep lying? “I don’t know his exact age.” At least that much was true.
    Fidelia revealed the sixth card. “The Moon.” She gave him an odd look.
    Jean-Luc swallowed. “Something to do with hunting?”
    “No. It means deception.” Fidelia glanced at Heather. “It could also mean something supernatural.”
    Heather’s eyes widened.
    He sat forward. “Do not be swayed by superstition. I have sworn to protect you, and I will.”
    “I want to believe you. I’m just not sure I can.” Her eyes searched his, and he tried to pour all his concern and admiration for her into his gaze. She didn’t look away. A spark of hope ignited inside him. He wanted her trust, her friendship, her respect. He wanted everything she could give him.
    “Time for the last card,” Fidelia announced. “This one is very important, for it signifies the outcome of our current dilemma.” She reached for the card.
    The doorbell rang.
    Heather jumped to her feet.
    Fidelia reached for her purse. “Who would come at this time of night?”
    Jean-Luc strode into the foyer with the women following close behind. He heard Angus on the front porch, sending a psychic message to his wife. “It’s not Lui. He would never bother to ring the bell.”
    Heather flipped on the porch light and peered through a pane of leaded glass in the door.
    “It’s all right,” Jean-Luc assured her. “I think it’s Angus. Allow me.” He opened the door.
    Angus slipped inside and nodded at her. “Good evening, lass. How is everything here?”
    Heather shrugged. “Okay, I guess. I didn’t expect Jean-Luc to show up.”
    Angus frowned. “He had no choice. ’Tis a matter of honor.” His face brightened when his wife skipped merrily down the stairs. “There ye are.”
    Emma grinned and walked straight into his arms. “Miss me already?”
    “Aye.” Angus hugged her tight.
    Jean-Luc groaned inwardly. Angus was so easily distracted these days. “Is there any news to report?”
    “Nay.” Angus rested his chin against Emma’s brow. “Robby and I looked all over town. There’s no sign of Lui.”
    Frustration gnawed at Jean-Luc. He desperately wanted to hunt for Lui, but he couldn’t ignore his duty to guard Heather. “We need more men.”
    “I’m going to New York to arrange for more guards,” Angus assured him.
    Jean-Luc nodded. Roman and Gregori had already teleported back to New York, taking Shanna and the baby