"Are you sure?" Tyki returned, not much appreciating the irritated glance Phoenix had shot in his direction. He took a few steps into the room, closer to the other two men so that they could talk more easily and they could all see each other's expressions in the semi-darkness.

"One of them troubled to go straight to your office in disguise to kill you, Phoenix. It's not impossible that it could be a coincidence, but I am not at all certain that the Earl's aim is not to at least attempt to kill anyone I am associated with," he said bluntly. "At this point, I can't dismiss the possibility."