He was too worked up about the ritual. “Mating a demon is difficult. Apparently mating a Fae is a walk in the park.” He grinned at her frown. “Life isn’t fair, baby.”
“No kidding,” she muttered. “I’ve been thinking. When you’re in the ritual, if you’re moving between dimensions like Garrett did, you might be able to find Ivar.”
He’d been thinking the same thing. “Garrett says he can sense the other Seven members, so I figured I’d be able to sense the Viking if I end up going through dimensions like Garrett did. The other members of the Seven all had different experiences from each other, so who knows.” But he sure as hell was going to try. The Viking needed to be brought home.
She snuggled closer, worried thoughts chasing each other across her face. The clip released, and her hair cascaded down around her shoulders. “You must know you’ll run into trouble. My people have been preparing for this, and I don’t believe I’ve been told the entire plan.”
He smoothed his hand down her hair. “It’ll be over before they know it.”
She knocked her head back, hitting his chin. “No, Logan. You don’t get it. Everything in this world is connected. The Fae are tuned in. The very second you start the ritual, they’ll know it.” Her sigh was full of frustration. “Naïveté and arrogance will get you killed.”
She was sweet to worry, but he’d been through worse. Several times, actually. “I’ll be careful.”
“They’ll be armed,” she retorted.
He kissed the tip of her nose, wanting nothing more than to take her back to bed. “Promise me you’ll stay safe today. That you’ll teleport back here and spend the day resting from the mating.” They would have plenty to worry about after he survived, but one thing at a time. “I need your promise, mate.”
She blinked twice and then her body softened against his. “All right. This once, I’ll promise to do nothing. Briefly.”
He kissed her, memorizing the feel of her mouth against his. Soft and sweet. Once he returned, they’d have an eternity to figure each other out. But everything inside him knew she was his. Meant for him. “I won’t let anything hurt you ever again,” he vowed, giving all that he had.
“You need to focus today,” she said, placing her hand over his heart. “The universe is inside you as well as all around you.Everythingis connected. Work within yourself and not against any force. Trust me.”
“I do.” He looked at the dismal eggs. “Let’s eat, and then I’ll give you the coordinates.” God, he hoped he survived this.
* * * *
Mercy landed barefoot in the darkened cave with Logan by her side. It was even easier to teleport him this time. Soon he’d have the skill himself, and then what? Did he really think he could lock her in a castle somewhere while he fought all of the big bads? She might not be a soldier, but she’d never hide while others did all the fighting for her.
For now, he needed to focus, so she just smiled. Her cheeks hurt from it.
Garrett waited for them dressed in a light T-shirt and ripped jeans. “We’ve created the circle way down beneath the surface of the cavern. Adare is sure it’s the place meant for you.”
Logan nodded, his eyes clear and his jaw determined.
Garrett looked at her, paused, and then lifted his chin. “I’ll meet you down there. He’ll be okay, Mercy. I’m sure of it.” The worry in his eyes said otherwise, but Mercy kept her fake smile in place and just nodded. Garrett turned and strode into the darkness of the cave, and his footsteps slowly faded.
Logan turned her to him. “I’ll have Adare bring me home as soon as possible.” His grin flashed white teeth in the darkness. “Or who knows? After the ritual, maybe I’ll be able to teleport myself.”
“Don’t,” she warned, her smile coming more naturally this time. “At first, you can’t control it very well. You might end up in the middle of the ocean.” She’d done it once. Hence her dislike of sharks.
“I can’t wait to hear all of your stories,” he rumbled, his knuckles brushing her cheek. “Stay safe today.”
“You stay safe.” She rose to her toes and kissed him, wanting to teleport him anywhere but here. Instead, she dropped back down and put her hand over his heart. She loved feeling it beat. So strong and steady and all hers. “See you soon.”
He studied her, his gaze serious. Then he nodded. “Teleport, baby.”
She stepped back, filled her eyes with this last glimpse of him, and drew on the energy around her to transport herself.
Right outside an alley in New York City. She dodged into a store, slammed a pair of brown boots on her feet, hit the dressing room, and teleported right back outside the cave, making a mental note to send the store a check the following week. Then reality hit her. Sighing, she teleported again, this time to an outfitter’s store. A human-made gun would be useless, but she lifted several knives before disappearing.
She landed near a tree covered in snow, and the chill instantly pierced her sweater. The boots kept her feet toasty, though. She counted to sixty and then strode around a series of rocks and into the cave where Logan had just been, tucking the knives into her clothing. If he thought she was deserting him right now, he truly was crazy.
But, man, the three jumps had already tired her. She shook out aching muscles and continued on. Following the darkness, she found a path winding down. The walls were a dull brown with veins of silver probably worth a fortune.
Interesting. She’d have to send a mining team back here. Her heart lifted.
Warmth filtered around her, instantly drying her sweater. The air clogged with gravity and sulfur. But she continued circling down, and the walls started to shimmer from lack of oxygen and too much heat. Her lungs protested, feeling like they were on fire.
