Daederich ran the whetstone along the blade, the sweet singing scrape of the metal almost hypnotic. The sword was one of Elah’s, true Damascus steel forged in the 18^th century, with a solid metal hilt more practical than decorative. He’d been surprised when Jase had brought him the weapon, but he didn’t ask questions. Being unarmed, even here, was worse than being naked in front of a crowd.

Knowing it had belonged to Elah meant more than he could say to the hunter. The weight of the sword in his hand made him feel like Elah was by his side, ready to cut down any who stood in their path. Absurdly sentimental, which none of the hunters would understand, but fuck it. Elah probably would have, though he’d have laughed and clapped Daederich hard on the back before asking him why he was still here.

The hunters said they would bring him to his son in two weeks. Alrik was being kept at one of their holdings in Australia, but that was all they’d tell him. They would charter a plane to fly him there, but none were available at the moment and reuniting him with his son wasn’t considered a priority.

“The boy’s safe. You’re free.” Jase barely spared him a glance as he’d gulped down cold blood from a metal mug in the mess hall. “What more do you want from us?”

If there hadn’t been two dozen hunters around, watching him, Daederich would have laid the fucker out. The funny thing was, Jase reminded him of Elah in a lot of ways. Elah’s dry sarcasm had rubbed off on his pupil, and Daederich could imagine the man had been just as insufferable when he’d been that young.

Daederich could almost like Jase if he didn’t hate the cocky bastard. But between dismissing Daederich’s concern for his son, and refusing to tell him where Lydia had gone, the young hunter was on his last nerve.

Three nights had passed since Daederich had last seen Lydia and he wished he’d given her a reason to stay. She had her own savings and access to several safe houses he’d set up around the country, so she’d be fine, but it hurt to know she’d be alone.

Because he’d pushed her away.

What choice did I have?

He sighed and laid the sword beside him on the bed. Elah’s death had shown Daederich how powerless he truly was. He couldn’t protect the people he loved. Not even his own son. And definitely not Lydia. She’d made it clear she didn’t need his protection, which was good. She deserved a better life than he could give her.

But letting her go still felt like a mistake.

The door opened. Daederich looked up and scowled as Jase sauntered into the room, a smug smile on his lips.

“You’re still here?” Jase leaned against the doorframe, folding his arms over his chest, the leather of his long jacket wisping against the wall. “We have more swords in the armory that need to be sharpened if you want to make yourself useful.”

Daederich stood, clenching his fists at his sides. “I wouldn’t be here if you’d simply tell me where my son is.”

“Not happening.” Jase smirked. “Now ask me about Lydia again. I do so enjoy repeating myself.”

“If she wanted me to know, she would have told me herself.”

Jase cocked his head, looking amused. “She couldn’t very well tell you when she didn’t know where she’d be assigned.”

Picking up his sword, Daederich eyed the hunter. “Assigned?”

“Yes. And don’t bother threatening me. I may not be immortal, but I went through the same training as the others. You’ll be on your back before you take another step.” Laughter lightened Jase’s tone. “Though you do seem to like the position.”

The hunter was trying to get under his skin. Daederich refused to take the bait. “If you came in here simply to goad me, don’t waste either of our time. I’ll stay until you bring me to my son. Then you’ll never have to see me again.”

“Which I’m looking forward to, but let’s put your talents to better use than sulking in this room.”

“Sharpening your swords?”

“That. Or the team of disposable recruits we sent out could use backup.” Jase’s expression tightened. “She’ll be fine without you, I don’t doubt that for a fucking second. But she still has a lot to learn. She’s determined to continue Elah’s work and I admire her for it. I proposed she be allowed to continue her training here. The idea was rejected. The committee doesn’t take kindly to attacks on our own. They won’t turn down the offer of a skilled fighter joining in on missions though.” He met Daederich’s eyes. “They’ll use her. Until it kills her.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Daederich grabbed the scabbard that went with his sword and attached it to his belt. “You know our bond is too weak for me to find her. If you won’t tell me—”

“I won’t tell you, so stop fucking whining about it.” Jase pushed away from the doorframe, a sneer twisting his lips. “You keep insisting your bond is too weak, but you haven’t even tried to use it. If you want to find her, you will.” He shook his head. “I like her spunk. I get what Elah saw in her. And it pisses me off that she’s out there, trying to save lives while no one’s got her back.”

“I. Do.”

“Then fucking prove it.” Jase reached into his jacket and pulled out a black and silver SPS Pantera. A decent gun, one Daederich had used in the past in a pinch.

He wasn’t a fan of using borrowed weapons, but he didn’t have time to fetch his own. Even if he could find Lydia, it would take time.

Time she might not have.

“Thank you.” As much as it irked him to owe a man who’d shown him nothing but contempt, Daederich wouldn’t forget all he’d done. For both him and Lydia. “I will repay you.”

“Yeah, well do that out there. With her. Kill some evil fuckers and we’ll call it even.” Jase sighed and pulled out a set of keys from his pocket. “Take this. Leave it with one of the men. You don’t have far to go.”

Daederich arched a brow, wondering why the man didn’t just give him a damn location. But then he considered how Elah might have handled this situation. He wouldn’t even have given Daederich this much. Even now, Daederich could hear the three words Elah would have said.

Figure it out.