Chapter 9
Thick,black clouds hid the moonlight where they reformed again. It took a moment for Kira to get her bearings.
Hastily, she glanced around as Týr grasped her hand and pulled her along, their boots sinking into the powdery snow. Endless white blanketed the ground. The absence of honking cars and chattering people deepened the quiet to an almost uncomfortable silence. The icy air slid through Kira’s jacket like chilly fingers caressing her skin. She shuddered, more so recalling the sinister shadow that had attacked Týr and her.
Could it be the demons had already figured out the Guardians were looking for them? No, her chest cramped in fear for Tomas. Oh, God. Please,pleasekeep him be safe until she found him.
In front of them loomed a large log cabin with a jutting pitched roof, which appeared like a dark, cavernous maw waiting to swallow them. A single, solar porch light came on, chasing away her macabre thoughts.
Týr grunted, nearly skidding off the ice-covered steps. He grabbed the railing and continued up to the sheltered porch, then slapped his palm on the door. It flew open. He waited for her to enter, his expression hard, lips tight. The moment she slipped past him, he shut the door. But she couldn’t see much in the gloom. Stale, woodsy air tickled her nose.
A swirling orb of fire, as big as a baseball, hovered above Tyr’s palm. Kira blinked in surprise. She’d had no idea he could command that element.
“So you don’t trip.”
The air locked in her lungs at his thoughtfulness. Since she didn’t have super-sight to see in the dark, she appreciated the gesture. The warm glow brightened the interior, but nothing could take away the awful chill creeping into her.
Shivering, Kira sheathed her blade in her boot and wrapped her arms around herself. Her gaze skimmed over Týr, searching for signs of injury as he took in the place. “Are you okay? That thing—”
“I’m fine.”
At his brusque tone, she bit back a sigh. Even if he were hurt, he wouldn’t tell her.
Tyr made his way to the huge stone hearth in the center of the open floor plan.
He crouched before the fireplace, and the fiery orb vanished as if absorbed back into him. Soon, the snapping sounds of growing flames echoed in the silent room, the glow highlighting a deep-brown leather couch and coffee table taking up space opposite the hearth.
God, this cottage would make an icebox proud at how cold it was. Her wet jeans and jacket stuck to her numb body like sheets of ice. “W-where are we?” She could barely get the words out, her teeth clacked so badly.
“The cabin in the Adirondacks.”
Right. Middle of nowhere.
“Don’t you think it would have been s-safer if we went to the castle?”
“And lead whatever attacked us straight to our home base? With the females alone right now?”
He had a point. Even though the castle was shielded from supernatural assault, anything could roam the estate, waiting for a chance to attack. But being isolated here was equally dangerous. “So, you’d rather it come after us here?”
Týr cut her a sharp look and went back to tending the crackling flames, apparently in no mood to talk.
“I take that as a y-yes.” She rubbed her numbed arms.
“Whatever it is wantsme,” he finally said. “But seeing you with me…” His jaw tightened.
The fiend would use her as bait to get Týr?Not happening.
Týr shoved more wood into the fire, his leather jacket stretching over his back at the movement. The slashes on the top part of his right sleeve gaped open.
“You’re hurt,” she whispered.
“I said I’m fine.” He got to his feet. “Stay near the fire. I’ll be back in a sec.” He strode through the kitchen on his left, then opened a door on the far side and disappeared outside.
Kira trudged to the fireplace, which actually divided the long room into two, and held her chilly fingers above the flames. And wondered if she’d survive emotionally being here alone with him.
A rumbling sound from outside startled her, like the drone of an engine starting up. Lights flickered on, and a soft golden glow warmed the wooden interior of the cabin, revealing the entirety of the dwelling. Fat timber poles held up the steepled roof, and long slabs of rock made up the stunning stone hearth and mantel. Several animal sculptures were lined up near a small pile of logs, as if to be used for firewood.
To the left of the fireplace, a few wooden steps led upstairs. The place possessed a rustic beauty and really minimalistic décor. Oh wait, more furniture. A small table and two mismatched chairs were shoved against the scenic window near the entrance.
