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. Don t sweat it, Lacey.Devlin salready figured out that you ve been reading the files.He sicced D.J.onyour trail. 82 She d be lucky if her boss didn t have her up for disciplinary action. I needed the information. Next time just ask for it.We all have a vested interest in yourwork. Thanks, I will, she replied, surprised by his answer. I won t promise that Devlin will allow you free access toeverything.But if you can convince him that your need to know islegitimate, he ll listen. Trahern pulled out a handkerchief and used it to pick up the swordby the hilt. I ve never seen inlays like that before.I would guess that thislittle beauty belongs to your friend back there. Is Barak allowed to carry a weapon? Trahern arched an eyebrow. He s carrying a sword right now, isn the? Your doing, I assume. She felt a blush rising up her face. No, actually, it was his idea tocome with me in case I ran into trouble.He said that the practice swordsin the gym were the only weapons he had access to. Well, let s go see what he has to say about this one. Trahern stoodaside to let her lead the way.Devlin stood glowering, his hands on his hips. Damn it, Barak.Ican t have you wandering all over creation.The Regents would have myhead for it. Barak frowned.He was still learning to differentiate the meaningbehind some of the expressions used by the Paladins and other humans hecame into contact with.There was nothing in his experience that madehim believe that the Regents would kill one of their fiercest championsbecause of Barak.No, logically speaking, they d be more likely to order his deathinstead of Bane s.Devlin was exaggerating again.83 Was I supposed to allow Dr.Sebastian to come into the tunnelsalone? Barak kept his tone reasonable, but he was growing weary ofhaving to defend his actions. Hell, no, but you could have called me instead of letting her gotraipsing all over the place. Devlin gestured widely with his hand. Thebarrier could have gone down. As you ve already said. Well, it doesn t appear to have sunk in yet, has it? You re standinghere arguing with me, and she s still acting like she has the right to beusing these tunnels as her own private geology lab. It occurred to Barak that Devlin was ranting on and on because he dbeen worried about the two of them. I m sorry we worried you.Nexttime we ll call. Next time? Haven t you been listening? Hell, if you hadn thappened to hear those bastards coming right at you, it could have been abloodbath! No! I would have protected her! Barak drew himself up to his fullheight and met Devlin glare for glare.He was willing to take a certainamount of bad temper from Devlin, but he had pride in his own abilities.Lacey would have been safe, or he would have gladly exchanged his lifefor hers. With what? That practice sword? Devlin wasn t going to backdown anytime soon. It s the only weapon you allow me.If you want to make sure I cankeep her safe, then allow me the tools to do my job! He rarely yelled,but dealing with an irrational Paladin sure called for a show of strength. Give me a sword, and I will use it.You may be a Paladin, Bane, but Iwas considered a formidable warrior in my own world.I can be in thisone as well. Before Devlin could respond, the ice-eyed Trahern stepped back intoview.Barak knew without looking that Lacey was right behind him.He dcaught her scent on the air, and something else.Something that resonatedinside his head and his heart.Before he could speak, Trahern did.84 If you re going to give him a sword, Bane Trahern shot Devlin alook daring him to contradict his words you might want to give himone that he knows how to use. Lacey stepped out from behind Trahern and held up a sword.Notjust any sword: Barak s father s sword.He fought the urge to shout outhis relief.He held out his hands, and Lacey s smile brightened as shegently placed it there. I ve never seen a blade that wide or one curved like that.It sbeautiful, Barak.Almost a work of art. He supposed it was, but its real value was as a weapon that had beenhanded down from father to son for generations upon generations.Hewould be the last of his line to own it. Where did you find it? His voice sounded rough.Trahern leaned closer to study the weapon. Near where you crossedover, I would guess.Lacey spotted it looking for more places to put hertoys. He got the predictable rise out of her. Those toys might just saveyour life one of these days, Blake Trahern. Devlin had evidently gotten over his mad. Yeah, they just might,squirt. He ruffled Lacey s hair before crowding in to admire the sword,too. The workmanship on that inlay is unlike anything I ve ever seen. Quit that! Lacey batted Devlin s hand away from her head. Thatblue scrollwork is beautiful against the dark metal. It was.Only someone with the gift for the blue stone could haveworked the metal and stone in such a way.If Barak concentrated hardenough, he could make it glow, a trick he was not anxious to share withanyone. Thank you for finding it, Lacey.It is a piece of my home that I vemissed. He offered her a small smile.If Devlin demanded that hesurrender it to his safekeeping, he would, but at the cost of much pain. We d better get out of here before those men come strolling backthis way. Devlin held out his hand. Give me back the practice sword, soI don t have to report it stolen. 85 For the first time since his arrival, Barak felt balanced, with thefamiliar weight of the sword in his hand.If he and Lacey continued theirwork in the field and in the tunnels, he would carry a warrior s weaponthat would keep them both safe.He nodded in the direction of the elevators. I would suggest weleave.We were lucky enough to avoid those gunmen once. As the four of them walked in companionable silence, Devlinglanced down at Lacey
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