“Aethan,” Echo groaned, her one arm flaying as she tried to grab a sliding Bob with her other. The feline screeched and fell, landed on all fours, and waddled off. She rolled her eyes.
Aethan smirked, making Shadow smile.
“You already seem to have that well in hand,” Michael drawled, leaning against the isle counter. “But a quick round-up. Anything I should be aware of? Any progress on who’s behind the human trafficking?”
“Found one. A human,” Aethan said, his teasing expression switching to granite. “We rescued four females and three kids.”
The archangel’s relaxed posture stilled. “Where is he?”
“Frozen,” Nik replied.
He blinked as if dumbfounded. “Dammit, Nik. Couldn’t you simply cuff him or something?”
“The something worked better,” Nik muttered. “He had demons working for him. He would have disappeared into the woodwork, then crawled out and done the same shit again, selling females and children. Whether he comes out of this with his mind intact?” He lifted a shoulder. “Hard to say.”
“Hell.” Michael rubbed his temple. “In this world today, with the technology humans have come up with, they’re even locating ghosts. It’s simply a matter of time before someone squeals about sighting ones like us. We can’t have that. I hope you took care of it?”
“Tagg saw to it,” Aethan said. “And I scrubbed whoever’s memory I had to.”
“Good. But this isn’t the end. The gang leader was only a small screw in a vast damn circle and a realm-wide problem. Anything else?”
“Yeah,” Nik said, his warm breath coasting along Shadow’s nape, but she felt the tension in him. “Encountered several demons earlier tonight, direct from the Dark Realm judging by the strong stench of sulfur—”
“Why the hell didn’t you call us?” Blaéz demanded, frowning.
“I could handle the demons. Killed the lot but realized too late they didn’t come alone. The hellhound that followed us to Romania appeared.”
“What?” Kira gasped, hazel eyes flashing to Shadow. “And you didn’t say a word?”
“I would have.” She scrunched her face. “But I guess I’m still processing and trying to get over my shock.”
“We need to find the damn thing and kill it before it causes chaos,” Týr pushed up from his chair.
“No, no, wait!” Shadow flashed out her hands as if she could stop him. “It didn’t hurt us—”
“But it had you pinned to the ground,” Nik growled.
Of course, Nik didn’t want her anywhere near the hound. Only a fool would let their guard down. “I know,” she said, stepping away from him. “But then it licked my face.”
The silence that swept through the kitchen made Shadow feel as if she’d stepped into a void.
“What do you mean?” Nik demanded, fingers clenching as if to stop from grabbing her and leaving. Probably to lock her up some place safe.
She just shook her head as she continued. “When a demon slammed me to the ground with a bolt of power, the hound attacked him and tore him apart. It protected me. But when Nik faced it with his sword, it vanished.”
Everyone quieted. All eyes nailed on her like lasers.
Man, she didn’t like being the center of attention. But since Nik didn’t say anything about her feeding from the hound, she remained silent, too.
“The presence of a hellhound means we’re dealing with higher-level or old demon,” Blaéz said contemplatively. “They can command the creatures, but this one didn’t follow his master’s orders…”
“Great,” Michael muttered, rubbing his scruffy jaw. “We not only have women and children being abducted and Narakas on the hunt for whatever, and now one of their deadlier hellhounds attaches itself to Shadow. Am I missing anything?”
“Nope.” Týr grinned, dropping back in his chair. “But this sure beats hunting demoniis nightly.”
Michael straightened. “Just deal with this. I have to take two young psionics to the Celestial Realm.”
Echo gasped. “You found more of them?”
“Yes, and they are orphans. Too young and far too powerful to remain in this world.”
Psionics? Shadow had no idea what they were talking about, her mind still on the hellhound. She understood the creature was dangerous, but it let her touch it and feed, and she really didn’t want it dead.
I saw you with him. At the eerie voice in her mind, Shadow froze. What the hell? What you have belongs to me. You belong to me.
Tolvi?
A sinister growl rebounded inside her skull. You still carry my mark.
“Excuse me, I need a little air.” Her heart thudding, she scurried outside onto the herb-scented terrace and past the trellis, rubbing her temples, trying to claw out the ominous sensation lingering in her head. Anger tore through her. The damn jerk—
A strong gust of wind swept past her, startling her. Trees rustled. The gales grew, tugging at her hair. Leaves and debris flew about, and a garden bench lifted.
“Shadow!” Nik dragged her close, his gaze swiveling from the shaking trees up to the garden seat hovering midair. “What is it?” he demanded.
“I don’t know!” she cried out, fear streaking through her, her gaze pinned on the cyclone of flying debris, so sure she would shatter at the energy coursing through her. “I-I heard Tolvi’s voice in my head, and then this started—” She lifted a hand to the swirling havoc.
“You’re safe, I have you, moró…hell.”
At Nik’s curse, her head snapped to him. “What is it? Oh, god? Did Tolvi track me here?” Her gaze darted about.
“No, no. I think this is you, Starshine.” He hugged her to him and rubbed her back. “Your psychic powers are awakening…I can feel your roiling energy. You need to calm down.”
“What?” She reared back. Gasped, “Me? I did this?”
Nik nodded. “But you need to shut it off, baby—”
“I don’t know how.”
“Yes, you can,” he encouraged. “Imagine a vault around the place where this energy stems from within you, then lock it down.”
Teeth gritted, her frantic heartbeat whooshing in her ears, Shadow shut her eyes and instantly found the churning heat deep within her. She bolted it.
Utter silence fell, followed by thuds.
She opened her eyes, dragging in huge gulps of breaths, and stared at broken branches and shattered bench parts scattered about. “Oh, crap. I’ll clean it up.”
Nik smiled and shook his head. “I’ll see to it later.”
“Wow,” one of the women said. “That was quite something to see.”
She pivoted and cautiously eyed the Guardians and the girls standing on the terrace. Her friends grinned in excitement, flashing thumbs-up signs. The guys just nodded, looking as if it was an everyday occurrence to see someone’s powers awaken.
As they all strolled into the castle again, despite her exhilaration over this new ability, worry careened through her. She wheeled back to Nik.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
“Tolvi. He said I still carry his mark. How?” she asked, eyes wide.
Nik instantly ran his palms over her body, his brow creasing. “Your powers are locked down, I can’t pick up anything, except for your symbionts’ dark energy…”
“Is it this?” She pulled down the neckline of her top, revealing a faint red tinge around the middle ruby-colored symbiont on her sternum.
He gently ran a finger over it, and his features hardened. “Has to be.”
“I’m so sorry for burdening you with this—”
He shook his head and straightened her top. “You are not a burden, agápi. You are my mate. Whatever this is, we will fight it together. We will find and get rid of the damn scourge.”
God, she hoped so.
She pressed her face into his chest, tightening her arms around him, wishing the dickwad would just vanish. She didn’t want him ruining their lives. But on the bright side, yay, at least she ha
d a new ability.
“C’mon.” Nik ushered her inside. “You’ll need more of the potion.”
Ugh. For that alone, she wanted to kill the stupid demon.
Chapter 29
Sweat beading her brow, Shadow eyed the smirking immortal woman in front of her the following afternoon.
Why on earth was she training with this fighting machine when she could have spent some sexy, alone time with Nik before he left for work?
Because she was a masochist for aching muscles and burning lungs—
Ely charged.
Ugh. Teeth gritted, Shadow sprinted head-on toward the twin swords swinging at her, spun around at the last second, gaining momentum, and struck hard with her own dual blades, causing Ely to falter back a step. “Whoa,” she wheezed. “Well done.”
They’d been training with weapons for the last two hours. Man, the girl was too fast and darn good. Shadow just about managed to keep up with her.
“That’s it for me,” Shadow groaned, collapsing to the floor of the ginormous training arena, protected with arcane magic—just in case the warriors’ immense powers slipped—or so Ely had said. And judging by the nicks and gouges in the stone wall, yeah, it probably had many times over.
“I think you’re trying to kill me,” Ely grumbled, slumping down next to Shadow, her copper eyes bright with satisfaction.
Shadow huffed out a laugh. “As if.”
Ely set the short, twin swords on the floor next to her and swiped her damp face with the back of her paint-smeared fingers. “But you’ve definitely got a handle on this, and you’ve never used twin swords before.”
“It’s exhilarating,” Shadow agreed, snagging her energy drink next to her and gulping the sweet liquid. “I’d teach you parkour, but why would you want to learn running and leaping across building roofs when you can just flash?”
Ely grinned and unscrewed her water bottle. “As you can now, so I’ve heard.”
Shadow gently rubbed her symbionts on her sternum where they lay quiet in her chest, content for now. “Nik was supposed to help me with it today, but the day just runs away from us.” She exhaled roughly. “I have to practice summoning it faster, in case of dangerous situations.”
“I can help you with that. Tomorrow?”
“Really? Thank you.” Shadow glanced at the girl she’d once been fleetingly jealous over.
Ely was an Empyrean angel, incredibly stunning, but Shadow couldn’t understand why she’d chosen this dark job. “Can I ask you something?”
“Sure. Hit me.”
Shadow set her drink down. Grimacing a little, she stretched first one arm then the other, trying to ease the throbbing in her shoulder blades. “Why here, this life?”
“You mean as a Guardian?” With a wry grimace, she sipped some of her water. “I like it. I have a purpose here. Besides, it was the only way I could stay in the realm and do what I wanted. “Another sip, then she blurted, “I search for a young.”
Caught off guard, Shadow blinked. “You gave up everything to find a child, here?”
“I didn’t give up much.” Bitter laughter escaped her. “Back home, my mother’s determination to mate me off to another who isn’t my destined, just to form an alliance, drove me to leave. My brother found his fated mate in this world, maybe I will, too. I won’t settle for less.”
Shadow nodded, recalling her own beloved sister’s torment. “Yeah, arranged marriages suck.”
Her expression troubled, Ely continued, “I came across a little boy crying in the alleyways when I searched for my brother a few years ago. I left him with some humans to aid him. I want to find him, see that he’s okay.”
“If he’s homeless, then you’re patrolling in the right place. Or he could have been found and already back with his parents.” Shadow frowned. “A few years? You do realize he’ll be older now?”
Ely’s eyebrows tipped together. “Oh, right. I hadn’t thought of that. Time moves faster for humans.” She sighed, her shoulders sagging. “No, matter, I have to find him for my peace of mind.”
At her despondency, Shadow changed the subject. “So, painting, huh?”
“What?” Ely frowned.
Shadow nodded at the evidence on her fingers wrapped around her water bottle.
“Ah, yes.” She laughed, sticking out her paint smudged digits. “I’ve always liked it. It relaxes me and gives me something else to do with my days.”
“Can I see?”
“I don’t know why you would want to put yourself through that torture, but sure.”
The door opened, distracting them, and Nik walked in, his gaze instantly connecting with hers.
Man, that look. Her face, already flushed from her workout, heated further, and she bit her lip.
“Ely,” he murmured in greeting, but his gaze remained on Shadow as he prowled closer.
“That’s my cue to leave.” Ely grinned. “See you later, Shadow.” She leaped to her feet, flashed to the far side of the room, set her swords in the rack, and dematerialized.
Nik stopped in front of her. Shadow looked up and scrunched her nose. “I’m too tired to move a limb. Ely is a hard taskmaster—eeep!” she shrieked as he scooped her into his arms. She grasped his neck, wrapping her legs around his hips. “Nik, I’m not only sweaty, while you smell amazing, I haven’t cleaned my weapons or put them away.”
“Later.” His mouth came down on hers as he dematerialized them. They reformed again, and his tongue slid into her mouth, his hands molding her butt, pressing her into his hard groin.
Eyes bright with desire, he lowered her to her feet and drew off her sports tank top. “I need you.”
“In the dressing room?” she teased.
“Dressing room, bedroom, any room is good enough for me. But I thought we’d start with a shower first.”
“Don’t you have work?”
“In about two hours. Plenty of time—”
A strident sound of a cell ringing erupted the sensual moment. Nik growled, glancing around in irritation. Then he crossed to her backpack she’d dumped on the black chest and frowned as he retrieved her old phone. “You haven’t unpacked?”
“It’s all old clothes. Thanks.” She accepted the device.
At the name flashing on the fissured screen, her heart skipped. Aba usually only made a handful of calls to see that she was okay. And she’d just spoken to him… In her panic, she had to swipe twice over the spidering cracks before she could connect. “Aba?”
“He’s hurt badly,” he said roughly.
“Nate?” she croaked, dread gripping her. She not only shared a blood connection with Nate, he’d also saved her. He was family. “What happened?”
“I don’t know. You need to come.” The call dropped.
Her gaze rushed to Nik’s, knowing he would have heard the conversation. “I have to go to him. Aba wouldn’t call if it weren’t life or death, and I’m scared. Tolvi must have gotten to him.”
Nik gave a terse nod. “On one condition, if I say we leave—whether we’ve seen Nate or not—we do.”
Shadow nodded. “I won’t be a moment.” She hurried to the bathroom, did a spot wash, and changed into skinny black jeans and a soft gray sleeveless top that dropped to her hips.
As she put on her boots, a piercing pain seared her skull. Ugh. She rubbed her temples.
Come, female. Come to me.
At the grating voice in her head, she gritted her teeth. When would this crap ever end? Always being hunted by assholes.
Mouth clamped tight, she pushed her cell into her back pocket and walked out. Nik had already changed into his patrolling gear and was staring out the window at the murky view as rain continued to fall. She didn’t say anything about Tolvi, didn’t want to worry him, not when she was desperately anxious about Nate.
Nik crossed to her. “The address?”
“It’s near the Bowery Mission. The garage there.”
In the familiar parts of the rougher end of the Bowery, Nik remateria
lized in the drizzle on a quiet lane between two buildings. Dark clouds hung low, obscuring the evening sunlight.
He did a quick scan of the area, reassuring himself no demons—the kind he dealt with—were around. He grasped Shadow’s hand as they cut through rain and slow traffic to the garage a short distance away.
“We’ll go through the back,” she said, leading the way around the well-lit garage to a gloomy workshop. Three vehicles took up space in the cramped shop, two with their hoods popped. The harsh smell of oil, grease, melded metal, and cold cement hung heavy in the closed space.
“Aba and Nate have their apartment upstairs,” Shadow said, opening the door.
A passage separated the back room from the front business part. An old leather couch and two armchairs decked the place. A stack of car magazines littered the wooden coffee table.
“Aba? It’s me—” she called out, running up the side stairs. Nik shut the door and followed her up to a dim landing.
A grunt and a curse erupted then cut off. A tall, lean male shuffled from one of the rooms, his aura lightly scraping Nik’s psyche. An Otium. A spark of red flashed briefly in the male’s wary stare, then his gaze settled on Shadow and softened. “Shadow… It’s so good to see you.”
“You, too.” She hugged the old demon, then reached back, grasped Nik’s hand, and drew him close. “Nik, this is Aba. Aba, my mate, Nik.”
Nik gave a curt nod, and the demon responded in kind, still a little guarded. He inclined his head toward the door he’d exited. “He’s there.”
Nik tailed Shadow into a darkened bedroom. The lights from the garage below threw a faint glow in the room through the undraped window. It did little to brighten the gloom. But he could clearly see the tall, gaunt male silhouetted there, hunched over, one hand clenching the windowsill. Knuckles chalk white. Even the knobby bones on his spine stood out.
“Nate?”
He angled his head slowly as if it were too heavy. “You shouldn’t have come here, Shadow.”
Shattered Dawn (Fallen Guardians Book 5) Page 32