“Can I help you?”The chick at the reception desk looked athim with beady, unblinking eyes.
“I’m here to see Aurora Mercer.She was admitted yesterday.”
The demon tapped a few keys on her computer keyboard.“I’msorry, but she’s been released.”
“What?When?”
“Three hours ago.”
“Three hours?”Drayger could have her again by now.“Whatthe hell?Why didn’t anyone notify me?”
She scowled at the screen.“Did you leave contactinformation?”
“Yes.”
“Did you leave instructions to be notified of any change inher status?”
Shit.He’d taken off too quickly to even think about that.“Ah, no.”
She smiled sweetly.“Then apologize for yelling at me orkindly fuck off.”
“You know, your staff’s reputation for rudeness islegendary, but that was almost pleasant.”
“Doctor Eidolon asked us to be nicer.”
Hawkyn doubted that “be nicer” meant that the staff wassupposed to smile while telling people to fuck off, but whatever.
“Oh, well, then I apologize, and I’ll be sure to tellEidolon that you’re making a great effort.”
Ignoring her legitimately dubious snort, he went out to theparking lot and flashed himself to Aurora’s house, thankful he’d scoped it outearlier, or he’d have had to waste valuable time finding it.
He materialized in front of the house, his shadow wingsdeployed andkeepinghim invisible to all but otherMemitim.
It was late afternoon in Portland, the sun hidden behind athick layer of low clouds.The damp ground smelled like dirt and moss, but healso caught a whiff of something sweet from the bakery down the block.Auroralived in a nice neighborhood, one that was probably considered safe.
He moved down her narrow walkway toward the front steps andher tiny brick-colored porch, which was barely large enough for the two smallchairs and folding table she’d put there.He could have materialized inside herhouse, but that would be rude.And stalker-y.Plus, given the trauma she’dalready endured, it would be a serious asshole move that would probably terrifyher.
He’d just ring the doorbell.
How quaint.
Aurora knew she shouldn’t be at her house, given thata serial killer had her address and would almost certainly try to silence her.But she didn’t have anywhere else to go where she wouldn’t put friends andfamily in danger.What she did have was an arsenal of mystical weapons anddeterrents, and she’d gathered just enough energy from the hospital staff todeploy them.
The nice werewolf lady named Runa who escorted her home hadunintentionally provided a strong surge of power when she’d given her a hug,allowing Aurora’s palm to linger on her back.Runa wouldn’t miss the stolenenergy, but it had gone a long way toward filling Aurora’s empty well.
In any case, she didn’t plan to be in danger for long.Shewas going to the police as soon as she could come up with a plausible story forher escape and lack of injuries.After all, Underworld General’s medical staffhad done an amazing job of healing her.During the long, hot shower she’d takenwithin seconds of getting home, she’d noticed that the scar on her thigh wasbarely noticeable, and all the other bruises, cuts, and abrasions were goneentirely.A demon dentist had even fixed the tooth the bastard had nearlyknocked out.
The microwavedinged, announcingthat her mac and cheesewasready.What she wouldn’tgive for a good plate of homemade pasta—not that she could cook worth adamn—but she was exhausted and would just have to settle for frozen stuff froma box.At least it was organic.
Inhaling the mouthwatering aroma of cheesy goodness, sheheaded toward the kitchen but without warning, the hair on the back of her neckstood up.Her protective ward had triggered.
A split second later, she heard the deep voice that hadfilled her ears during her dreams.
“What the fuck?”
Oh, shit.She ran to the window and pulled back the cheeryyellow curtains that perfectly matched the floral pattern on her steel bluesofa.And there, standing motionless, arms pinned to his side on her doorstep,was the man—no, theangel—who had saved her life.
She didn’t bother to slip on shoes.She scrambled to openthe door and nearly tripped over her own bare feet in her haste to get outside.
