Once out in the front of the building on the cobblestone street I took in several gulps of fresh air. I headed straight for the fountain in the center of the circle, partly because it was so well lit there. Four large statues surrounded it, shadowing over me where I sat on the fountain's edge settling my nerves.

Something inside me warned that I wasn't alone. I eyed the alleyways on either side of the large building where music and light poured out of the open front doors. Both sides of the building had shadowy areas where an attacker could be lurking, waiting for an opportune moment to strike. I focused hard, trying to look for any signs of life in the shadowy crevices of the street. Was something moving there? I leaned forward trying harder to see into the dark abyss across the street.

At that moment of complete vulnerability, I felt a hand land on my shoulder. I let out a small scream as I whirled around, planting my fist into the person's chest and knocking myself backward towards the fountain's pool of water behind me. As if in slow motion, I recognized Kael just as I swung again, and my fist hit his shoulder. I was an instant from hitting the water when he took hold of my arm, pulling me up and effectively keeping me from falling completely backward into the water, wedding attire and all.

"Where did you come from? I thought you were another stalker!" The adrenaline pumped through me; every muscle in my body shook.

He dropped my arm and nodded. "Right. I guess it makes sense for you to be a little jumpy..."

"A little jumpy? I almost got killed this time yesterday!"

He turned and nodded toward the reception. "What were you staring at?"

I flushed, realizing I must have looked slightly idiotic. "I was making sure there wasn't anyone... which obviously there was not over there..." I trailed off. "Where did you come from?"

He watched me, saying nothing.

"Safe to say you are stalking me then?" I placed a hand on the hip of my deep red satin gown.

Kael ignored my question and sat down on the fountain's edge where I could have fallen to my death a moment ago. His voice was low, even. "So you haven't completely recovered."

I refused to sit, needing to keep my alertness to the highest level. I wished I could pretend to be calm like him, but there would be no truth in it. "Are you surprised?"

"Not really."

"Where did you go last night? I told you I had a hundred questions."

"Well, I don't have a hundred answers." I raised an eyebrow and he shrugged. "You are leaving tomorrow then?"

I shook my head. I had to be tough now, lay some ground rules before this strange man was walking all over me. "No. I'm not answering your questions. Not until you answer a few first." I strolled over to the statue and leaned my shoulder into its leg. I dropped my voice to an irritated whisper. "I don't care if you don't have an answer to all the world's secrets, but you certainly know a lot more about what is going on here than I do."

"You're right. I do." He stood up and walked over to where I stood leaning against the statue. He stopped just outside of my personal space, thankfully. He was towering over me, and I secretly wished he would just go back and sit down. "What do you want to know?"

For a second, my mind went blank. What did I want to know? I decided to start with the most important question. The topic that had likely brought this havoc into my life. "Is my father alive?" I shifted my weight so that my back was against the statue instead of my shoulder.

"I'm not sure."

"But you knew him?"

"Yes."

I nodded, glad I was finally getting some answers. I considered my next question carefully, wishing I had left my hair down tonight so I could twist it over my shoulder and occupy my hands.

Kael cut into my thoughts. "Now my turn. Are you going home tomorrow?"

I considered lying, but guilt washed through me. I had the feeling he had been honest with me thus far. "Probably not." The slender heel of my shoe twisted into the grouting of the monument's tiles beneath me. "I need to clear some things up first. Garrett feels this whole issue will follow me right home if I don't uncover what's going on while I'm over here. Why everyone is attacking me. Well, not everyone, but certainly not no one." I stopped my rambling. Why couldn't I just say 'yes' and 'I don't know' like he had done?

"Hmmm." He leaned one hand on the statue over my head and rubbed his forehead with his other hand. My words seemed to worry him. "Where will you go then?"

I tried to be brave not naive. "I don't think I should tell you. I'm afraid you would just follow us." I pushed a stray curl of my newly highlighted hair off my cheek.

"Tell me and I'll try to make sure you don't get killed on your little adventure. I want to help. I thought that was pretty apparent last night."

"Killed?" I was tired of choosing questions carefully. My voice grew much more audible now. "Who are you? Why are you helping me or anyone for that matter?" I paused, but he said nothing. I felt my temper flare a little, and my tone was panicked. "What did you mean yesterday when you said my father sent you? I want answers!" I punctuated this with a blow toward his chest which he caught deftly, pulling my arm down, pulling me toward him.

"Harper!" I heard Garrett's voice carrying over from the reception even as Kael spoke intently. "I told you I'm your friend not your enemy. Now tell me, Harper. Tell me." His hold was firm on my arm. He glanced up to where Garrett stood on the steps surveying the crowd. He must have spotted us as he called to me again, this time in alarm, and started sprinting over.

"The man that came after you last night is no one. You understand? He may have been caught but there are more where he came from. His boss? He's not in jail and he will be hot on your tail. If you're determined to stay, just tell me where you are going. It will make your life easier."

He had saved me last night, I reasoned. Before disappearing, he also ensured I was safely returned to the hotel. "Harper Manor. We are going to Gideon Harper's place. I assume you know it?" He let go of my arm.

"Don't." He looked up. Garrett was only a few short seconds from crossing the street and approaching our spot. "Don't." He repeated. His tone spoke of warning as he backed up behind the statue and was gone.

Tingling swept down my arms as Garrett reached my side a few seconds later. "What was that? Another attacker? You need a bodyguard!" He leaned forward to work out a muscle spasm in his side under his tuxedo jacket.

I sighed. "Oh Gar. It was that guy. The one that saved my life last night."

"What did he want?" Garrett looked into the shadows much as I had done earlier, to see if there was any movement.

"He wanted to know where we were going. He says he wants to help. But from a distance apparently." Turning, I started back toward Maria's reception.

All Garrett had to offer was more questions. I wanted answers. I wouldn't last through an interrogation tonight.

********* Thanks for reading!! Don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed this installment of the story :) *********