The Fourteenth Key (The Chronicles of Terah Book 3) by Mackenzie Morgan Page B

front of. Figured he felt the same way about you. Just trying to save him some embarrassment.”
    Lt. Martyn slowly straightened up and took a few more deep breaths. After he felt a little steadier, he turned towards Kevin and Gen. Crandal. “It does take the wind out of you. Thanks for the warning.”
    Kevin nodded. “Guess I’d better get back to Ashmont. I’m sure Sister Janine’s ready to go by now. See you later.”
    ~ ~ ~ ~
    When Kevin knocked on the front door of the chapel this time, Theresa opened it, stepped out on the porch, and shut the door behind her. “We need to talk.”
    “Okay. What’s up?”
    “How do you plan to rescue the captives if Janine finds them in Glenarbour?”
    “To be honest, I don’t know yet.”
    “I was afraid of that. Kevin, you’ve got to have a plan, and I mean today.”
    “It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours since I heard about the raid. I haven’t had time to catch my breath, much less come up with a rescue plan. What’s the rush?”
    “Janine’s the rush. She doesn’t know you and she’s not at all convinced you’ll do anything. She’s not even sure you care.”
    “Well, if I didn’t care, I wouldn’t be here, would I?”
    “I tried that one. She said the only reason you’re here is because it’s your job.” She looked away from Kevin and chewed on her lips.
    “Okay, what’s bothering you? Out with it.”
    Theresa paused and then shook her head. “You can’t ever let anyone know I said anything. What’s said between sisters, stays between sisters, but this time … She figures she’s got to come up with a plan on her own, that if she finds the captives, it’ll be up to her to rescue them, and you can’t let her do that. The damage it would do to the relationship the Sisterhood has with the owners of that slave house would be irreparable. You’ve got to convince her you’ll handle it, and that you know how you’re going to do it.”
    “All right,” Kevin said with a nod. “I’ll take care of it.”
    “But you can’t say anything about what I told you.”
    “I won’t let her know you said one word, and I won’t even pretend Marcus or Alek overheard her. By the way, did they?”
    Theresa sighed. “Marcus did and he wanted to tell her what he thought of her and her attitude. Took Hayley and me both to talk him down. I’m not sure she wouldn’t have burned him for impertinence.”
    Kevin frowned. “You can do that? I thought those pendants were for self-defense.”
    Theresa shrugged. “I don’t think I could, but someone with Janine’s experience and temperament? I wouldn’t want to risk it, and I didn’t want Marcus to risk it either.”
    “I’ll speak with him,” Kevin said, secretly pleased. “And I’ll check in with her while she’s in Glenarbour so she won’t think I’ve forgotten about her or the captives. Think that’ll do it?”
    “I hope so, but you really do need a plan.”
    “Okay. Now let’s go in before someone notices us out here.”
    “It’s okay. I told her I wanted to talk to you about finding homes in Milhaven for the children, which we do need to do. These people are nervous enough about slavers right now without being reminded about it every time they see Caitlyn or Corey. I think the children will be better off in a new environment, too. It would be different if they had family around here, but they don’t. We can talk about that later though. Just let Joan know we’re bringing them back with us. She’ll figure something out.”
    Kevin nodded, as Theresa led him back into the chapel. They walked past the parlor and down the long hall that led to the living quarters. When they reached the kitchen, Alek was seated at the table with a large cup in front of him.
    “Want some coffee?” Alek asked as he started to get up.
    “No, I’m fine,” Kevin answered. “Have you had any sleep?”
    “Not yet. I told Marcus to get some after the sisters got up. I’ll sleep this afternoon, after we get