“What are you doing here?” Nathalie realized how rude it sounded as soon as the words came out, but fortunately Darius didn’t seem at all put off.

“I was on my way to a meeting. But I wanted to talk to you about a new project first.”

“A new project?”

“It’s for Zion.”

“Zion,” she echoed, still feeling totally off balance at his unexpected visit.

“May I come in?”

She hesitated, glancing over her shoulder. The house. The mess. She was about to be a whole lot

more embarrassed in a minute. But Darius visit was about Zion, so she couldn’t leave him standing

outside.

“Of course.” She opened the...