Gabriel chuckled and exchanged a look with his wife. “It seems our friend is quite smitten with her.” Then he looked back at Cain. “I’m happy for you. How about your memory? Is anything coming back?”

“I’m afraid not. Which makes certain things difficult. I don’t know who I can truly trust without knowing what my history with them is.”

“That’s understandable,” Maya agreed. “But it’s also an opportunity.”

“An opportunity for what?”

“To see everything with fresh eyes.”

Cain sighed. “Right now, I’d settle for remembering just a few essentials, rather than having to worry every moment of the day that I’d trip myself up and make people suspicious that things aren’t the way they should be. I can’t afford to appear weak.”

“And you’re not weak.” Gabriel’s words were reassuring. “I’ve always told you that you were an exceptional bodyguard when you were in our service. We’re sorry to lose you.”

Cain laughed. “Are you trying to tell me that I’m fired?”

“I believe by taking on this job here you were subtly trying to tell me that you quit,” Gabriel joked. Then he turned serious again. “You were a skilled bodyguard. You’ll be a great king.”

Cain looked toward the window. “Would you believe me when I told you that before I became king here, I was actually the leader of the king’s guard? I guess that’s why I did so well with Scanguards. I had prior experience.”

“Doesn’t surprise me at all. From the start you knew what you were doing. You didn’t need much training at all. Though your willingness to take orders did lack toward the end,” Gabriel said and winked.

“Must be the fact that I’m not meant to take orders.”

“Guess so.”

Maya sat up straight. “Hate to interrupt your reminiscing, but I’d like to see my patients as soon as possible and examine them.”

“Of course.”

“Is there a place where we can do that in private? I’ll need access to water and blood, and a surface to turn into an operating table. My guess is that the operation will be painful, and without any means to sedate them I’ll need help restraining them. Maybe strap them down.”

“The old plantation kitchen may be suitable for it. There’s water and blood supplies, and it’s a little separate from the rest of the palace. It’ll provide some privacy. I’ll be happy to assist.” Cain looked at Gabriel, who nodded instantly.

“I’ll help with restraining them,” Gabriel agreed.

“Cain, I’m sure you have better things to do,” Maya said. “Why don’t you get Thomas to do it. He might even be able to calm them down a little with mind control. He’s the only one who can safely use his skill on another vampire.”

Maya was right. Thomas was a master of mind control. “I’m afraid Thomas and Eddie had to go into New Orleans to follow up on a lead. They won’t be back for twenty-four hours.”

“Oh, that’s a shame.”

“What kind of lead?” Gabriel wanted to know.

“We’re not sure yet. Just a hunch. I’ll fill you in later.” Cain rose. “Let me introduce you to David and Kathryn and have my staff set up the kitchen for you to use.”

Both Maya and Gabriel also rose when the door was suddenly ripped open. Cain whirled his head to it and saw Faye storm into the room.

“How could you!?” she yelled at him, her face a mask of fury, her eyes glaring at him.

Stunned, Cain froze. What had he done now? “Faye.”

She marched toward him, when she suddenly seemed to realize that he wasn’t alone.

“Faye, these are my friends: Gabriel and his mate Maya. Maya is the doctor I told you about.”

Faye took a deep breath and nodded toward them. “Nice to meet you.” Then she looked back at Cain. “Can we talk? In private.”

Her tone told him that this conversation couldn’t wait. He glanced at his friends, but didn’t have to say anything.

“We’ll be unpacking in the meantime,” Maya suggested and took Gabriel’s hand. “Shall we, baby?”

With a concerned look on his face, Gabriel followed his wife and shut the door behind them.

Cain waited another few seconds, before he looked back at Faye. He’d never seen her this furious. “What’s wrong?”

32

Looking at Cain’s clueless expression, Faye fumed even more. As if he’d already forgotten what he’d done!