“This isn’t what it appears to be,” Caitriona said to Hawkins’ officer who was sent to represent the Order’s interest during the official parlay. After the events of the earlier intercession, she knew both sides were guarded and on edge. Her eyes tracked Duncan’s movement across the room.

“Is there somewhere we can talk privately?” she questioned the officer. She didn’t miss the way the soldier’s eyes swept across her body. She shuddered when he licked his lips like a cat waiting to devour its prey. Caitriona wondered if she hadn’t made a mistake seeking out this man’s help, but she was desperate to find a way home—for both her and Dani—and this man had both the means and the influence to help her. She gave him a brilliant smile, not missing the way Duncan’s eyes had narrowed, his perpetual scowl deepening. Had he heard her? she wondered. Surely that wasn’t possible, yet his scowl said otherwise.

The man placed his arm lightly around her waist and nodded in the direction of a private verandah that provided a magnificent view of the 23^rd century Mexican city. She allowed the officer to escort her outside and waited while he maneuvered them to a quiet corner where they wouldn’t be disturbed. She turned to face him and was dismayed to see lust pass across his harsh features before meeting her gaze. She shuddered. Get to it, she mentally chided herself. Duncan won’t tolerate your absence long. Squaring her shoulders she took a deep breath.

“I understand you have a ship,” she stated in a low voice, casting a glance at the doorway lest Duncan make an unintended entrance.

The soldier nodded. “And I’ve been told you have information.”

“I have intel Commander Hawkins is seeking.”

“Intel doesn’t necessarily advance my career,” he growled.

“The information I have will ensure your rise in the Order’s ranks,” she ground out, wishing the soldier would get on with the negotiations. She was certain Duncan would appear at any moment.

“Depends.” He was waiting for her to make the next move.

“Tell your commander that Caitriona Sinclair sends her regards.” She turned on her heel, hoping her bluff was all that was needed. She started to walk back toward the hacienda’s ballroom, part of her hoping he didn’t take the bait.

“I hear you’re a witch,” he stated, his voice just loud enough for her to hear.

Caitriona slowly turned to face him. “You should watch who you accuse of being a witch,” she said, her voice dripping with honey. Her eyes narrowed to daggers. She didn’t like the direction the conversation was turning. “In exchange for passage to another time, I will give your Commander information about the battle he is planning to wage against the Templars.”

“He indicated you would say as much.” Hawkins’ parlay officer deliberately paused as his eyes traveled the length of her body. She was wearing a black floor-length ball gown that hugged her curves appreciatively. The gown was cut exceptionally low in front, barely covering her nipples while the back was open just above the small of her back. Chevrons had been cut into the dress at both her hips and knees providing a sexy view of even more skin. Her hair had been swept atop her head in artfully arranged curls that just touched the back of her neck. While she loved the reaction she received from Duncan, she was not altogether sure his choice of gown had been a good idea with so many of Hawkins’ lecherous men wandering about.

The young soldier cleared his throat and licked his lips salaciously. “He also told me I was to guarantee your safe passage in exchange for the information you would provide—with one exception.” A sardonic smile twisted his sharp features, making him appear even more menacing and threatening than usual. Caitriona’s body trembled. “Hawkins has invited you to his home to share this news with him personally. He said it will be a gesture of good will on your part. He told me to assure you we would continue the rules of intercession and parlay there and that no harm would come to you.”

“I don’t negotiate,” she snarled. “Either the information is valuable enough to Hawkins to have it delivered through you—or we don’t have a deal,” she finished. She was treading on thin ground. “Of course, if he doesn’t trust you, that will be his loss and something for you both to work out.” She turned once again, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. She knew from her time in Hawkins’ internment that his soldiers knew better than to cross him. She knew the negotiations were about to turn in her favor.

“Very well. Meet me at the Basilica in Chihuahua in two days. You deliver your information and I will grant you passage to your time.”

She didn’t trust him. There was an edginess to his voice that she didn’t like, but she was too far into her plan at this point to turn back. “There will be another passenger as well,” she added. At the soldier’s inquisitive look, she hurriedly explained. “To make it worth your while I will provide the Commander with the location of several Templar leaders—but only after we’ve made it safely to our own time. Do we have a deal?”

The man eyed her skeptically, but eventually drew a deep breath and nodded his head. “You realize this violates the rules governing intercession and parlay?”

She nodded, saying nothing.

“And you know that violators are prosecuted by death?” he inquired. She almost thought his tone had softened.

She nodded again. She had a momentary attack of morality as she thought of what her actions would do to Duncan. She couldn’t think about that now.

The Order’s officer started to say something else, but at that moment Duncan chose to make an unsolicited entrance. She backed away from Hawkins’ officer and faced Duncan, noting the scowl on his face. The officer also noticed the hulk of a man coming toward him and, nodding brusquely, disappeared into the shadows of the well-kept gardens.

“What are you doing out here, Caitriona?” Duncan growled. His eyes traced the path the soldier had taken.

“I just stepped out for some fresh air, Duncan,” she said stiffly. She tried to move past him. She couldn’t look him in the eye, not with the knowledge of what she’d just done—or what she would soon do. But Duncan had made his position with her quite clear. She was nothing to him save for a pawn and a tool in his military coup. She had to get herself and Dani home. From their time, she and Dani would work to enhance their powers and stop this time—this world—from ever becoming a reality. If she was successful in that endeavor, she would ensure the consequences of her actions would never come to fruition. She just hoped she understood the tenets of time travel well enough to ensure she was right…and that her trust hadn’t just been sold to the highest bidder.