He’d been still and silent for so long, I felt sure he must have fallen asleep, but then he moved, suddenly and decisively, and got out of bed. Taking his sword with him, he walked over to the writing desk and shut the laptop. I don’t think I imagined it. The temperature in the room really did drop a few degrees. I was staring at Alec’s bare forearms, noting the muscle required to wield the heavy tools of his trade, when he shivered convulsively. I drew the bedclothes up around me and decided I’d felt a lot safer when Alec was in the bed. He continued to watch the laptop, as if it might suddenly levitate. When he finally spoke, I thought he was addressing Meredith. ‘You can’t sleep in here.’ Belatedly, I realised he was referring to me. ‘Oh, I don’t think I’m in any danger. If Meredith’s out to get anyone, it’s you, isn’t it?’ ‘I don’t know.’ ‘What do you mean? Why would she hold a grudge against me?
