Several deep breaths later, she managed to calm down a little. She leaned against the wrought iron table when a ripple of unease slid through her, and she stilled.
Whatever was causing this hiking anxiety, it sure wasn’t her nodes. She rubbed the chill from her arms and skimmed through her thoughts, trying to find the cause of her disquiet… There was only one person who could make her insides twist with worry.
She darted back into the living room. “Do you know where Nik is?”
All heads swiveled her way, the movie discussion forgotten.
Kira frowned. “No.”
“He said he’d be gone for a few days, so, where?” She didn’t care she might have revealed her deeper feelings for Nik, but something wasn’t right.
“I didn’t even know he wasn’t at the castle.”
Dammit. Shadow glanced at the blonde angel. “Ely, you’re a Guardian. Do you know?” She pressed her hand into her agitated tummy, a sense of foreboding gripping her. “Is it work-related?”
The woman sat up. “Not that I know of, but now that you ask, he wasn’t at the morning’s meeting, either. And no one said anything. What is it?”
“I don’t know.” The urge to get moving tugged at her. “It’s this feeling that I should find him, like he needs—” Her? Yeah right. “Someone.” Hell, she had no idea if he did, but she’d face his wrath after assuring herself he still breathed.
“Shadow,” Kira said softly, her fingers rolling the turquoise and black beads at the end of the skinny braid in her hair. “Wherever Nik is, he can take care of himself. The thing is, as nice as he is, there’s a certain reputation following him among the guys. Of course, they wouldn’t confirm or deny it.” She snorted. “Not only is he dangerous, but there’s no emotion in him, as if his power has leeched it all out. And with just a look, a touch, he can freeze a person. Most times, you don’t come out of it alive.”
Oh, she’d felt his coldness, all right. But beneath it all, there was something more. A warmth that wanted out. A warmth she’d felt and longed for.
“I know.” Shadow rubbed her clammy palms down her skirt. “I saw it all when I first er, bumped into him during a demon attack in an alley. Those he froze shattered into fragments from just a kick then dissipated into the ground.”
“You saw that?” Echo blurted, appearing dumbfounded. “Does Nik know?”
Frowning, Shadow gave a cautious nod. “Yes.”
“And he let you retain the memory?” Ely’s copper eyes rounded to the size of headlights. “I mean, considering how tight they are about privacy and us remaining undetected. They usually clear a mortal’s memories of things like that.”
The girls glanced at each other. Clearly, something passed between them, then Echo spoke as if she were the chosen leader. “The only place he’d go that we know of is Romania.”
Feeling as if she couldn’t breathe, Shadow whispered, “The other side of the world?”
“Oh, honey, it’s okay.” Kira hurried over, putting an arm around her waist. “He’ll be back.”
“No.” She broke away. “You don’t understand. He… I need to go to him.”
“Shadow, he opened a portal there. He could be anywhere.”
Christ. “We-we had a disagreement. A quarrel earlier,” she whispered. “And there’s this feeling growing inside me that something’s terribly wrong.”
The girls stared at her, openmouthed.
“Kira, remember when you had a feeling about Týr?” Echo said softly.
Her friend’s lovely latte complexion drained to ash. “Oh, shit.” She swiped back her curly hair from her face. “Okay, okay, let me think.” She paced the length of the couch, brow creasing.
The door opened, and Hedori entered, carrying a tray. Heck, he appeared more like a warrior than a commonplace steward with his tough build, attractive features, and long, braided, steel-colored hair.
“Coffee to go with Kira’s delicious cake,” he announced with a quirk of his lips, setting the tray down.
“Hedori!” the girls chimed at once, as if he could solve all of Shadow’s problems.
He straightened, his eyebrows nearly touching his hairline. “Should I be wary of all this feminine power surrounding me?”
“No,” Echo laughed. “But I’m sure you know where Nik is, right?” she asked sweetly.
“Indeed, I do,” he answered slowly as if aware something was afoot. “Why?”
Shadow sensed her chance. “Can you take me to him, please?”
The smile faded. The lines of his lean face morphed to implacable. “No. The sire especially asked that I keep you safe at the castle.”
Trapped here, he meant.
With a regretful smile, Hedori walked out.
Dammit it, Nik. Shadow pivoted and paced to the open door, the hole inside her widening in worry.
“Darn. I knew he wouldn’t relent,” Kira grumbled.
“Ki?” Echo said. “Aethan’s somewhere out on the estate with Dagan training. Do you think Týr would—”
“Of course!” Her excitement had Shadow spinning back, her smile fueling Shadow’s hopes again. “Okay, I sent him a message.” Shadow frowned, and she tapped a finger to her head and grinned. “Telepathy.”
Shadow nodded, realizing this warrior was her last hope.
The door opened, and Týr strolled inside. “Elska, you made me fold my game of pool to the Celt. I hope it was for a good reason I lost my bet.”
“I’m sure you’ll win back the dollar.” She rolled her eyes, and his mouth twitched in a smile. “And it is. We have a feeling that Nik’s in trouble.”
One dark blond eyebrow quirked. “You?”
Her cheeks flushed a light pink. “Well, Shadow has.” Then she blurted, “It’s really important you take her to Romania.”
Týr chuckled. “Are you crazy, my mate?”
“Honey, please?” Kira’s stare didn’t waver. “I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important, but…she feels it.”
He stilled, and whatever amusement lingered in his eyes faded. “She feels it, huh?”
“Yes,” the girls agreed in unison. Shadow had no idea what that was all about. Right now, the only thing that mattered was getting to Nik.
Týr glanced at them, then at Shadow and back to Kira. His eyebrows dipped together. “This isn’t wise, Kira. Nik wanted time alone.”
“Please,” Shadow begged, refusing to let her only chance disappear. “I will leave as soon as I know he’s all right.”
“Hell.” He tunneled his fingers through his messy hair, his brow creasing as he considered. Finally, he inclined his head. “Very well. Better me than anyone else, I guess,” he said as if he’d already had an encounter with Nik. “You good to go?”
Her heart in her mouth, Shadow nodded. “Yes. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me just yet. Nik could throw us out,” he drawled and walked out onto the terrace.
Ugh, she could do without his teasing. Shadow followed.
Týr lifted his hands, and with a wave, the air in front of him shimmered and magically split open, revealing a swirling vortex.