I raised one hand and shook my head, warning Cas not to say anything. He sighed, but stayed silent.
“All right, wolf. You’re on watch. At leastpretendyou’re menacing if anyone other than us comes in here.” Zane saluted the pup. “Understood, soldier?”
Ignoring him, the wolf went straight to the girl, whining softly. She stirred, not waking, but turning toward the warmth. Maybe out of instinct. Maybe out of love. Her bad arm curled around him, her fingers sinking into his fur.
I froze. Zane’s mouth snapped shut. Cas stopped mid-mutter. Even the air seemed to still.
The wolf sighed, a contented puff of puppy breath, and nestled under her chin. Her lips parted, a whisper against the top of his head.
None of us spoke.
None of usbreathed.
In the hush, I memorized the lines of them: The girl’s golden hair fanned across the pillows, the pup’s paw draped protectively over her, the way her body cradled him.
“I think he’s got this,” I said with a tiny smile.
“So. Uh.” Zane cleared his throat and jabbed a thumb at the door. “I’m gonna. Luggage. Gear.”
“I’ll talk to the gargoyles.” Casimir nodded stiffly. “Ko?”
“Perimeter check,” I acknowledged.
I waited until the door clicked shut behind them before blowing out a heavy breath. That had been more brutal than just about anything I’d ever endured.
And I’d endureda lotof brutal in my twenty-two years.
The pup blinked up at me, blue eyes drowsy.
“Sorry for thinking it was you,” I murmured. “Keep her safe for us, yeah?”
He sneezed in agreement.
#
Zane
“Father swore there’d be staff and security here,” Cas muttered as he thumbed his phone screen hard enough to crack it. Good thing we always carried plenty of spare burners. “This place is open wider than your mouth in a bullshitting contest.”
“Wide, indeed, then,” I snorted. “Relax. We got this.”
The look he gave me had me spinning on my heel before the lecture started, popping the SUV’s trunk up with a flick of my wrist. Boxes stacked taller than a certain vampire king’s ego met my eyes. Weapons cases, ammo cases, knife cases, boxes of boots and armor, maybe four duffles total of clothes.
“You want me to empty this before you take it down to the gates?” I asked as I surveyed our life’s possessions.
“I’ll run,” he grunted and took off.
Best thing for him,I thought as I looked over at the smattering of bags and suitcases in the driveway.
Herluggage.
Deciding to start there, I loaded up with as much as I could carry, thumping up the stairs and sneaking into her room. The pup raised his head, saw it was me, and flopped back down in silence.
I set her stuff down, my gaze lingering on her peaceful form.
Even in sleep, her delicate features hinted at a beauty both fragile and resilient. Like a porcelain doll that might punch you in the face. I was eager to find out if her right hook was worth a damn. But for now, I’d let her sleep like Cas said we would. She’d already had one hell of a day, and I wasn’t a complete bastard.
“She’s safe,” I murmured, more to myself than anyone else.
