Born of Shadows by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page A

her lip in indecision. What if the killer wasn’t working alone? Another member of the Guard could very well be in on it. Right now, she didn’t dare trust anyone until she knew where their real loyalties lay. “It’s of a private nature.”
    “There is nothing private from my Guard. You know this.”
    Why was her mother being so ridiculously stubborn? Was it to keep the others from thinking she had favor toward her daughter? Or was her mother just that stupid?
    Desideria debated what to do. Ultimately, she had to speak. The longer she kept silent, the closer the killer could get to striking distance. Taking a deep breath, she handed her mother the bottle and told her what she’d heard. “I have reason to fear for your safety.”
    Her mother went perfectly still, then cackled. “While we’re here? Please. I know you want to prove your worth. But there’s no threat here unless they plan to bore me to death.”
    Several of the Guard laughed.
    Desideria was humiliated by her mother’s rough dismissal.
    Peria, the Head Guard, stepped forward. “Why don’t you take a small break, child?”
    And Desideria really could have done without that slap. Honestly, she wanted to cry, but she wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction.
    “I just now overheard a plot to kill you.”
    That at least got her mother’s attention.
    Until she burst out laughing again. “Don’t be a fool, child. No one here has the balls to come after me. Now go take your break and leave us.”
    Desideria was mortified as she summoned what tiny bit of dignity she could find and turned away while they laughed at her.
    “An attempt at a summit?” Peria’s mocking tone sent a wave of nausea through her body. “Really? What was she thinking?”
    “Perhaps I was impulsive to appoint her so soon.” Her mother sighed. “I had such ambition for her. Oh well. I only hope Narcissa and Gwenela don’t turn out to be disappointments too. I should never have bred with her father. So much for thinking of adding to our bloodline with an offworlder. I should have known better.”
    Those words were like a kick in her gut. I hate you, you sanctimonious bitch . But she didn’t hate her mother. Not really. She was hurt and lashing out.
    It was bad enough when other people mocked her. When her mother did it, it was so much worse. All she wanted was to make her mother proud of her. Why was that such an impossible task?
    How will I ever face the others again?
    None of them had any respect for her at this point. They thought her inept.
    Worse, they thought her weak.
    Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t pay any attention to where she was going until she collided with a solid wall. At least that was what she thought it was until she realized it was a man.
    A huge, powerful man with a body so hard it was like touching granite.
    Gasping, she looked up and froze.
    Dark brown eyes glowed with warmth as a slow smile spread across the face of the devastating male she’d noticed earlier. And her collision laid to rest any speculation about the body obscured by his voluminous robes. He was as honed as any warrior she’d ever seen.
    The teasing light in his eyes faded into a look of deep concern. “Are you all right?”
    It was difficult to think of a response when the pleasant masculine scent of him was thick in her head and his eyes captivated her so. Oh, he was gorgeous. “Fine.”
    His intelligent gaze sharpened. “You don’t look fine… I mean, you do look F-I-N-E, but something’s bothering you. Can I do something to help?”
    She hated to be that transparent to anyone. Great. Just great. Now I’m humiliating myself with strangers too. That was all she needed. “You’re right. You are bothering me. Now move out of my way.” Her tone was sharper than she meant it to be, but she couldn’t control her anger over her own stupidity and embarrassment.
    He held his hands up and stepped aside to let her pass. “Pardon me for trying to help.”
    Desideria took