Jeez. She still had to get used to having a heavenly being in front of her who dressed like some biker dude in leathers, sporting messy hair and dark shades parked on his head.
“Really, Arc, dial down that crap,” Nik muttered.
Blaéz snorted, as did the other warriors.
Shadow petted Nik’s powerful forearms around her, soothing his crankiness.
No, not even the archangel could match up to her Nik. His persona might be deadly and dark, but his heart was huge. He gave her what she needed, vengeance for her sister, rescuing her brother, and especially her feeding from other males even when he didn’t like it. Moreover, he saved her from her own darkness.
Her emotions for him flooding her, she rested her head against his chest.
Michael lifted an eyebrow at Nik, and Shadow sensed amusement beneath his cool exterior. The angelic allure faded. He raked back the loose strands of hair that slipped his half ponytail. “I don’t have much time—”
“Hell, Arc,” Aethan groaned, the overhead lights glinting off his striking blue-toned hair. “Give us a moment to breathe and say hello to our mates. Then we can convene for the meet-up.” He scooped Echo from her seat, heavy cat and all, and onto his lap.
“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?”