Shield's Lady

wants to talk about business this morning? I want to talk about the ball.”
    Lord Avylyn gave his business manager a sharp look. “Does this concern the cutter?”
    Gryph answered before Sariana could speak. “The prisma cutter has become Shield business.”
    Everyone turned to stare at him, including Sariana who didn’t have the least idea of what he was talking about. It was obvious his words meant something to the Avylyns. They looked distinctly startled.
    “Shield business?” Jasso exclaimed. “But how? Why? I don’t understand. That cutter has always belonged to the Avylyns. Our family has held it since the first crystal was sold to us.”
    “Calm yourself, Lord Avylyn,” Gryph said. “When the cutter is found, it will be returned to your family. I meant only that locating the cutter is now a Shield matter. I will pursue it for Shield purposes and when I find it, I will give it to you. I just want it clear that there is no longer any question of my working for anyone else in this matter.”
    Jasso was stunned. “You’re going to look for it for free?” he finally got out.
    Gryph glanced at Sariana and then gave his attention to his food. “Let’s just say that my fee has been paid in full.”
    Sariana suddenly realized that everyone in the room except Gryph was now staring at her. She sat tensely in her chair and, stared back in bewilderment.
    “Is something wrong?” she finally asked in irritation.
    “Nothing is wrong,” Gryph stated. “Eat your breakfast. You wanted a conference in you office after the meal? All right, you’ll have your conference.”
    Sariana bristled. “There is no need to take that tone with me. You may have decided for some obscure reason that you are no longer working for the Avylyns, but—”
    “I never was working for the Avylyns, remember? I was working for you. And you have paid me well.”
    Across the table Gryph’s eyes clashed with hers and Sariana felt herself turning pink. She was suddenly aware of the conclusions the Avylyns must be rapidly drawing from this small scene. Gryph was as good as implying that she had paid his fee last night while everyone else had been noticing Sariana’s absence from the ballroom. The implication was obvious. A flare of temper pulled her to her feet.
    If you will excuse me,” Sariana said through her teeth, “I will go to work. When you are finished, please join me in my office.”
    She was halfway to the door, her attention riveted on escape, when she struck something with the toe of her slipper. Automatically she glanced down and saw that the object on the floor was Gryph’s weapon kit.
    “You appear to have dropped something, Gryph,” she remarked icily as she bent over to pick it up.
    “Thank you,” he said with unexpected tenderness. He stayed where he was and gave her a curious smile. “I’m glad you found it. l hadn’t noticed it was missing from my belt.”
    “That’s hard to believe,” she retorted, remembering how he had awakened from unconsciousness the night she had detached the kit from his belt. “Here, you’d better take it. I certainly don’t want to be responsible for it.”
    Gryph started to hold out his arm but then he winced painfully and lowered it again.
    “Oh, your shoulder. I almost forgot.” Sariana was flooded with remorse as she recalled vividly just how much his shoulder had pained him the night before. For all she knew he was in much greater pain now that the light anesthetic had worn off. “Are you all right? You shouldn’t stretch it that way. You should take it easy.”
    “What’s wrong with his shoulder?” Luri asked with great interest.
    “Nothing that won’t heal in time,” Gryph explained. His gaze was still on Sariana. “If you would bring the kit over to me, l would appreciate it.”
    “Of course.” She moved toward him, aware of the cool prisma lock under her fingers. Last night that lock had burned itself into her palm, or so she had imagined. The punch served at the ball had certainly had a strange effect on her senses. Everything had seemed so incredibly intense. It was amazing what tricks the night could play on a woman’s senses. Wordlessly she held the kit out to Gryph.
    “Would you open it for me, Sariana?” he asked quietly.
    The silence in the room was almost overpowering. Sariana was aware that the Avylyns seemed frozen in their seats. Their attention was focused completely on the small scene being played out in front of them. In fact, they