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Although I understand it, I do not like that he regards you with such suspicion. You must use Tariq for entrance into the security guards, Elisabeta.

You are always calm, Ferro. Always. My steady rock.

He felt a brief flash of amusement. It might be true that he was calm and steady, but only until it came to her. He found he didn’t like anyone slighting her or implying that she was in league with her captor—even if it was something he might have done—just because it was an explanation that fit when, so far, there had been no other.

“Tariq, you will have to guide us into your human force,” Ferro said. “We will work as fast as we can here to be ready in order to protect the compound from the attack.”

I have been considering what you asked me, Ferro, about how Sergey will bring down the safeguards to enter. He cannot, and he knows that.

Ferro started to reply to her but then stopped himself. There was speculation in her voice. He felt the stillness in Gary and the other ancients tied together. Like Ferro, they knew she was on the brink of a discovery. She turned the pieces of the puzzle over and over in her mind along with her knowledge of the vampire, a master strategist.

He will open the gates from within. She said it with absolute certainty.

Tariq, not tied to the others, was already leading the way to the first of the humans infected with the burns, and Elisabeta and Ferro followed into the man’s mind. The burns were not nearly as severe as Josef’s had been, but they were moderate, with more scorching than Tariq had. It would take a little more effort on Elisabeta’s part.

How will Sergey possibly open the gates from within, piŋe sarnanak? Ferro asked, watching her work. She was so efficient at what she did now, soothing the man and removing all trace of the burn, that she didn’t have to pay that close attention.

Tariq was with them now and Ferro felt him startle, but he said nothing.

It would be easy to be wrong. Very easy. There was hesitation in her voice now.

Ferro knew she wasn’t used to giving her opinion on any subject. He sent an entreaty to the others, keeping his command on the pathway for them alone. Do not say anything. She was never allowed to voice her view. This is extremely difficult for her. Gary, make certain Tariq knows not to speak. Let her take her time. Do not be impatient with her.

If any of them spoke or showed impatience, she would instantly clam up and they wouldn’t get anything further from her. As it was, he would have to coax the information from her. Her first thought was always that she might say the wrong thing.

I am simply looking for your input, Elisabeta. You know him better than anyone. You have studied his ways. What would he do, based on what you know of him?

Elisabeta carefully removed the scorch marks from the human brain. I believe he somehow was able to introduce this infection into the compound. If that is so, it is very possible that I missed something. These burns were extremely deep in some. Light in others. It occurred to me that it is possible that a suggestion was planted into the burn, branding it into the brain, the behavior part of the brain, so that even if the brain was healed, the suggestion sank so deep, the healer, in this case me, would miss it.

Ferro felt Gary’s instant reaction to her reflections. His heart sank. Gary thought she was onto something. If that were so, it was one more thing his woman was going to blame herself for. At once, Gary’s healing spirit entered the human. He was so bright and hot that it took a few moments to adjust to his being close.