His Prejudice 9

Her bewilderment was priceless. For once he felt the subtle caress as Elena finessed his mind and met resistance. Her technique was opposite to his -- where he went in with an arrow, she sent out tendrils of mist. Satisfaction brought a twist to his lips; he'd blocked her from his thoughts and discovered something about her. If only he'd remembered the charm earlier; an ancient relic with warding power that had hung in the temple for eons, thick dust encrusting the chain. Now it was tucked under his shirt beside his cross, humming with energy. He vaulted his horse with a lithe spring, feeling carefree, almost young again. A silent summons sent a whir of black racing past the horses -- the beast hounds would accompany them, skulking in the shadows at the four points of the compass. Travelling long distance with a vampire and a child he was taking no chances. They set off; the ladyfolk riding in tandem behind him, their mare tethered to Lanzig his grey stallion, with the pack horse follo