Darci shivered at the chill stealing into her despite wearing her warm coat. Blaéz drew her closer, and she snuggled into him for warmth.
As they entered through the side entrance into the restaurant, which allowed them some privacy, Darci shuddered in relief, grateful to be out of the cold.
An elegant, blond hostess in a fitted, black dress looked up from her bookings journal. Smiled. “The Callahan party of nine?”
Then her polished facade slipped. Her gaze widened and her jaw dropped as she laid eyes on the men.
Declan was ruggedly attractive with naturally tan skin and striking green eyes. But with the warriors, it wasn’t just their looks, there was no hiding their otherworldly allure—that immortal magnetism they possessed in truckloads.
Daniel smirked as his father. “You want to take that, Dad?”
His expression bland, Declan stepped forward. “Yes,” he told the gaping woman, his tone dry as kindling. “One to join us later.”
“No problem, I’ll keep an eye out for him,” she gushed. “I’ll show you to the private dining room.”
As they followed the hostess down the corridor, the girls somehow integrated together, leaving Daniel and Declan up front and Blaéz and Aethan behind them.
“Jesus,” Kira snickered softly to Darci. “She acts like she hasn’t seen good-looking men before.”
“Not like thesemen,” Grace whispered with a grin.
“Yeah, well, they’re taken,” Echo huffed out.
Darci cast a quick look over her shoulder. Blaéz lifted a dark eyebrow, Aethan appeared stoic, but she knew. With their heightened senses, it was a given. They’d heard the conversation and appeared amused.
She wrinkled her nose at Blaéz before turning away.
No, they weren’t men, but immortal warriors who’d lived through hellish pasts, and finding happiness with them hadn’t been easy.
They entered the warm, private dining room. Wooden panels lined the walls on which hung several scenic shots of New York. A longish table stood in the center, draped with white linen and set with delicate china and gleaming silver for dinner.
Aethan, Echo, Grace, and Declan took their seats opposite them. Daniel and Kira sat with her and Blaéz. A waiter appeared and the hostess left.
Soon, the clinking of cutlery against china and soft voices filled the room. As dinner progressed, the atmosphere gradually relaxed. Kira had drawn Daniel into a conversation about some movie currently on the circuit.
“The dinner seems to be going pretty well,” Darci said to Blaéz.
“Indeed.”
At his short response, she glanced at him and lowered her voice. “Nothing’s going to happen.He’snot going do anything with the other Guardians around.” She stroked his thigh, wanting him to relax and enjoy the evening.
Blaéz laced their fingers, his thumb caressing her palm. “Perhaps.”
“Pity the others couldn’t make it,” Kira said from beside her.
“Yes.” Darci agreed.
Elytani had politely declined, as did Nik. Jenna had refused the invitation, too terrified to leave the safety of the castle, so Shae had stayed with her. Given his connection to Jenna, Hedori had declined, as well. And Dagan had probably gone out on patrol.
The door opened, and Týr strode inside, bringing the cold air with him. The dazed hostess followed, tripping over her feet as she hurried after him.
Grace’s mouth dropped. Declan glanced at his wife and shook his head. “Any more like him I should watch out for?”
“He’s the worst,” Aethan said helpfully. “But there’s a few others.”
Darci couldn’t suppress her laughter.
“Sorry for the lateness,” Týr called out as he reached them, a grin revealing his devastating dimples. He shrugged off his jacket and hung it over the backrest of his chair before dropping onto the seat adjacent to Declan. “So, what did I miss?”
