Though he had anticipated it, the sight of a slender form letting itself into his rooms sent a spike of adrenaline through him. Laurent waited in stillness until the intruder had shut the door behind her. There was little time to make an inventory, but he had spied on her person only a hiding place for knives - this would buy both he and Damen time.

Pulling out his mobile phone, Laurent sent a message to the only other person he trusted in Darrow, and John Riley did not disappoint. He had assurances in moments and, feeling more confident than he had minutes before, Laurent returned to his door and opened it.

He had already steeled himself to a number of tableaus, and the one that greeted him did not rank among the worst scenarios. Laurent could not enjoy the blood on Damen's face and throat, but the man was upright, and the snap of bones beneath his hands was unmistakeable. Laurent's gaze found the woman's face, eager to observe the moment that she discovered how deeply she had miscalculated.

He said, 'Do you have this under control?'