Death of an Adept

"Similarly," he went on, "when someone transgresses against the Higher Law, that infraction demands a response from a higher authority, if the balance of the cosmos is to be maintained and restored to harmony. Conventional detection methods usually fall short when investigating such crimes - and those who operate in contempt of the Higher Law are often quite adept at covering their tracks. Dealing with such offenders requires the intervention of individuals wielding comparable gifts. In other words," he finished bleakly, "it's up to me and those like me to find them, stop them, and require them to make whatever restitution is owed to re-establish the balance of order."

"Me and those like me" Ximena repeated softly, her eyes wide with wonder. "Does that mean you actually work within an organization?"

"It does," Adam admitted. "That's one of our greatest safeguards. As long as you work with a team, you reduce the temptation to become a law unto yourself."

Ximena was silent for a long moment as she assimilated this. Then abruptly she asked, "Does Philippa know anything about all this?"

Adam could not restrain a smile. "Philippa is the one who trained me."

This disclosure startled Ximena as nothing else had done.

"My God!" she exclaimed. "Who else is involved in this work? No, don't tell me - let me guess: Noel McLeod, certainly. And Peregrine Lovat as well?''

Adam nodded. "Correct on both counts. But please don't ask me to tell you anything more. It isn't that I don't trust you to keep a secret. But we do have our share of enemies."

"Like the ones who blew up your car at Melrose?"

"Among others," Adam said bluntly. "Their methods don't stop there. There are many forms of violence, not all of them physical. If it's all the same to you, I'd rather keep the risks to a minimum, for the sake of all concerned."

A long silence fell between them. Then, at last, Ximena spoke, her face a little strained.

"I seem to have gotten far more than I bargained for."

"I know," Adam said, "and I'm sorry. I should have told you sooner."

"Yes, you should have," Ximena agreed, a faint smile curving her lips. "But now that I think of it, you've been feeding me hints about this for quite some time now, haven't you? It isn't your fault it's taken me this long to really hear what you were saying."

"If it's more than you're prepared to take on," he said, "you're still free to back out."

"Do you want me to?" she replied.

Slowly he shook his head, his eyes never leaving hers.

"No," he said softly.

"Then I'll stay," she whispered - and sealed the declaration with a kiss.

Chapter Eighteen

"You've told Ximena about your secret life," Philippa said.

She was looking not at her son, but at the wintry landscape streaming past on either hand as they sped along the snow-banked ribbon of the M90 toward Edinburgh, Adam at the wheel of the Range Rover.

"I have," Adam acknowledged. "I won't say that it was an easy confession to make, but I felt it was both just and necessary. I can't very well ask Ximena to share my life, while at the same time withholding significant truths about my work. She deserves better of me than that.''

"Indeed." Philippa's tone was noncommittal. "And how much did you feel obliged to tell her?"

"Enough to give her some idea of the shape of things to come," Adam replied, slowing for traffic ahead. "Ximena's no fool. For the most part, all I did was confirm guesses she'd already made for herself."

A blue route sign loomed ahead, relaying the information that they were some fifteen miles out of Edinburgh. Adam checked the road in front and behind before whipping the Rover around the slow-moving bulk of an articulated lorry. A dark green Granada traveling several cars back, attempted to copy the maneuver, but was forced to tuck back in when an ambulance came up fast from behind, blue lights flashing, and overtook them.

Philippa dismissed both vehicles with a casual glance before focusing her attention on her son's patrician profile. "Your wife certainly has more brains than most," she observed, "but this isn't necessarily a matter for intellect. If you don't mind my asking, how did she take your revelations?''

"She didn't immediately question my sanity, if that's what you mean," Adam said wryly. "Perhaps between us, her father and I have succeeded in demonstrating that the world is more full of mystery than is commonly believed, in these materialistic latter days. In any event, she's prepared to take a great deal on trust."

"Even the fact that there are going to be times in your life when you can't explain yourself or your actions?"

"Ximena knows that I have certain - special abilities," he replied. "She understands that there are limits to what I can tell her without compromising the interests of others besides myself. She accepts that keeping the peace occasionally necessitates keeping secrets, if justice is to be served. She knows the value that I set upon my vocation - and my honor."