He pulls back, keeping me at arm’s length while he looks me over, making sure I’m really okay. “What happened?”
I shake my head, still a little disoriented. “One minute I was thinking about my brother, and the next I heard you guys calling my name. I don’t remember anything."
I’m grateful when he picks me up and burrows his head in my neck. I can’t handle seeing the fear on his face any longer. “For twelve fucking minutes, I couldn’t find you.” His voice cracks. “I’m never letting you out of my sight again. I…I thought…fuck!”
“Shh.” I squeeze him to me as close as possible, but it’s not enough. “I’m here. I’m safe.”
“Do you smell that?” Ronin asks, appearing out of nowhere, setting Jess down in the cloud of smoke next to him.
Zarreth pulls back, eyes black with rage. “Yeah, smells like a shifter.”
CHAPTER 9
Zarreth
Ronin's eyes land on Frankie for a beat before giving me a nod, acknowledging what I left unsaid. The shifter scent isn’t the only one hanging in the woods. There’s another scent similar to one we’re both familiar with, only this one is more masculine…but that’s impossible.
I’ll think about that later. Right now we have to get the girls somewhere safe. “If there’s a shifter nearby, Dante can’t be too far, and we’re not in a position to deal with him yet. We should leave for the Dark Realm as soon as we can.”
Ronin turns, already preparing to leave. “It might take me a few days to find two demons with traveler’s marks, but if I leave now, I’ll be back in less than an hour.” It’s not very often the time warp works in our favor, but thank the Gods this is one of them.
Frankie pales as she nods her head. “Okay, yeah.”
Jess takes Frankie’s hand, squeezing it. “We packed earlier and the animals are with my parents. We'll be ready.” Her voice waivers, betrayingher confidence, but for a couple of young humans, they’re tougher than they look.
“How are we supposed to entertain four demons until they’ve recovered enough to trace again?” Frankie asks, rummaging through the hallway closet for extra bedding.
“I can think of a few ways,” Jess calls over her shoulder as she walks into Nate’s room, smirking as she disappears inside.
Frankie scoffs, rolling her eyes. “She’s so ridiculous.”
I take the sheets from her hand and shove them back in the closet. “They live in a realm with no moon or sun, where the only thing lighting the sky are the constant fires burning through the land. They won’t need to be entertained.”
“You’re right.” She starts pacing the length of the living room. “I’m just so nervous.”
I never stopped to think that her only experience in the Dark Realm was a horrific one. It’s true, the realm is dangerous—with its hostile terrain and hardened creatures—but my horde’s village is different…civil.
“You have every right to be nervous,Melita,” I say, grabbing her arm to slow her down, “but I would never bring you to my village if I didn’t think it was safer than being here.”
“I know that. It’s just…” She buries her head in her hands, but it doesn’t hide her pink cheeks. “This is so dumb, but…I’m nervous to meet your mom.”
I stare at her. Out of everything we’re facing, meeting my mom is what makes her nervous? It’s almost funny, but it triggers a softness in me I didn’t expect.
I pull her hands away, leaning close. “You have no idea how easy you are to love. My mom will adore you.”
The front door swings open, breaking the moment. Ronin steps in first with two demons right behind him.
“Finally,” Frankie says, stepping forward to greet them.
Ronin grins. “Awe, you missed me already?”
She wrinkles her nose. “Hardly.”
The corner of my mouth twitches, but I ignore them and offer Macen my hand. “Thanks for helping us.”
“Any time,” he says, his grip firm, solid.
The demon beside him already looks bored. His markings have grown since I last saw him, making him look like the tattooed humans Jess usually falls for. The difference is, his aren’t for decoration. They’re what’s left behind when he siphons or bleeds magic, a painful mark that never fades even when the power does. “Graven, I’d like you to meet my mate, Frankie.”
