Týr straightened, his eyebrows pulling together into a V. “You sure about those kids disappearing?”
“No. I simply like running around in the darn cold on the night of my friend’s wedding,” she groused. “Of course, I’m sure.”
He stared at her, the frown still in place. “Who told you this?”
“Someone who works there overheard the guy who runs the place. It’s all really hush-hush. They probably don’t want to scare any of the occupants. I’m going to talk to them tomorrow.”
“No, you’re not.” Týr rubbed his jaw then grimaced when he came in contact with the reddened wound there. Kira didn’t bother to correct his error.
“You do realize he’s psychic, right?” he said.
“Tomas?” Her eyes widened, and just as fast, anger ignited. “And you left him alone all this time? He’s a child. A target for those evil fiends!”
“I’ve been keeping an eye on him,” he coolly pointed out. “We don’t go nabbing every human with a hint of psychic abilities. Just those who could be psi, and Tomas isn’t one. He’s male,” he said as if that made everything all right. “He appears to possess more of an awareness of Others, not any kinetic powers. The latter is what the demons go after. You know this.”
After hanging around the Guardians for a year, naturally she did. Kira had heard all about the psionics, female descendants of the Watchers, some of whom could inherit those formidable abilities from their ancestors, something no human should have. Not only would every evil out there be drawn to them, but the human authorities would probably seize the psionics and use the women for their own sinister plans.
“It doesn’t matter, I have to find him. That damn demon in the alley was hauling another homeless child away, and you did nothing—”
“Don’t even go there.” Týr’s features morphed back into a stony mask. “I would have, butyougot yourself into trouble.Iwill find him. You. Stay. Put.”
Kira clenched her teeth in aggravation, refusing to lose her temper.
She arched a brow and stepped closer, the toes of her boots bumping against his. “Do you really think I’m going to sit back and do nothing now that I know the truth?”
His head lowered, his nose almost touching hers, eyes like iced toffee. “Your grandmother left your safety in my hands. If ensuring that means I have to tie you to your bed, so be it.”
“Oh, my God—” Kira barely stopped herself from stomping her feet. “Gran and I sorted out this nonsense before we left here earlier.You. Were. There!”
“No, she spoke to meafterwe arrived at the brownstone, and you escaped upstairs.”
Kira’s entire body stiffened, betrayal stinging deeply. No wonder Gran had been so compliant about her staying alone. In helpless frustration, she pressed the heels of her palms to her tired eyes before she lifted her gaze to his. “Tomas is upset with me because he believes you’re my boyfriend. Do you honestly think he’s going to show himself when he sees you since you’re responsible for his misery?”
A shrug rolled off a thick shoulder, his brow creasing a little. “Matters little. I know his scent and his psychic vibe, it’s just a matter of tracking him. But why would the little mischief think I’m your boyfriend? What did you tell him?”
The man was utterly impossible. Kira rubbed her cheeks in resignation. She really, really didn’t want to talk aboutthatincident again. But he made it difficult to leave it alone.
“I told him nothing. Tomas saw you heal me in the alley and thought you were—well…anyway. He’s upset with me because I’m a clueless fool,” she muttered, still furious at herself. “I should have realized that he had a crush on me when he asked if I had a boyfriend. I honestly thought he was just being his usual snarky self. It’s why I have to find him, explain that there’s no chance in Hell you and I would be together, and take him back to The Shelter.”
At her barbed comment, Týr didn’t react, merely said, “It’s too late, and he’s probably holed up somewhere for what’s left of the night. I have to get back on patrol. I’ll keep an eye out for him.”
Sometimes, it was like fighting with a damn wall. A low buzz started in her hands. “He’s my charge. I’m going. You can’t stop me.”
“You’re so damn stubborn,” he growled, those toffee irises flaring.
Sensing victory, she held onto her defiant expression until he muttered, “Fine. Tomorrow. One night. If he doesn’t show up, you’ll stay out of it, you get me?”
Hiding her exultant expression, Kira merely nodded. Then she playfully bumped her fist against his chest. “What do ya know? A heart does beat in there.”
A low rumble vibrated deep in his chest. “Don’t push your luck.”
Happy she’d gotten this much leeway out of him, she smiled and stepped back. Later, she’d find a way to continue her search. She flexed her tingling fingers.
He cut a sharp look at her clenched hands. “What’s wrong?”
Man, he was far too observant. “Nothing.”
Grunting, whether in acceptance or disbelief—though she suspected it was the latter—he pulled out a pack of M&M’s from his jacket pocket, dropped several of the candies into his palm, and continued. “With demons involved, this has just become the Guardians’ top priority.”
