“So my legions will swear their allegiance to you as my blooded daughter. Your safety is and always has been my priority.”
“And mine,” Týr added.
Wrath eyed him with an enigmatic stare. The Sin’s focus shifted to Kira, and his expression softened about as much as this fortress could. “Kira, your mate, I deem, would want to get a little more acquainted with our way of life.” Those eerie eyes flickered to Týr. “Réomer heads to the training fields.”
Another order. This Sin and Michael had probably traded notes in another time, considering both were as old as dirt.
“Kira, would you care to accompany me for first meal, or would you prefer to have it in your chambers?”
“Here. In my chambers.”
“Very well, I will see you later in the day.” With a nod, Wrath walked out. The march of thundering booted steps echoed seconds later.
Kira swiveled to him, dread brightening her beautiful eyes. And there, in her irises, he saw the same streaks of lime-green. She bunched his shirt as if to keep him there. “Týr—”
“It’ll be okay,elska. I could do with a…workout.”
“Please, please don’t kill anyone.”
He unhooked her clamped fingers, cupped her face, and kissed her on her mouth. “Stop worrying, I got this. Who’s Réomer?”
“That would be me,” Riley said, pulling his attention to the cool-faced demon he’d tried to kill a year ago. Then he added, “Didn’t like the name. Went with Riley back on Earth.”
Right. But at the sight of his mate’s worried face, Týr winked and walked out. Her frustrated sigh drifted to him. He bit back a smile. This female. He’d lay down his life for her, but he couldn’t blame her for the skepticism since he had no idea what he’d do. However, for her, he’dtrynot to slay the savages.
The brother and dickhead waited for him to pass and then followed closely, like he was a damn prisoner. The menace of guards shadowing Wrath had already disappeared.
As the door to Kira’s chambers shut behind them, Týr jabbed his elbow hard into Sparkles’ gut. The demon grunted, doubling over.
“You going to bash up everyone who looks at her?” Riley drawled.
“No, just dickheads who dare to touch or try to claim her.”
Riley nodded, those green eyes as penetrating as his sire’s. “Good enough for me. That’s Nicor, by the way.”
“Traitor,” the demon groaned through a pained breath as they continued down the hallway. “The thanks I get for trying to keep her safe.”
“All part of the job. You are Wrath’s right-hand, after all,” Riley retorted, opening a door leading into a stairwell. As they walked down the gloomy, twisting stairs, the brother added, “Besides, I owe you.”
Sparkles grunted. “You’re still going on about my pseudo-threat to your mate?”
“You really don’t want to go there,” Riley warned. “I won’t stop with a jab.”
“Guess my job here is done.” The demon took off down the stairs.
The moment they hit the ground floor, Riley said, “I may have known my sister for a short while only, butyouI do know. Hurt her in any way, and you’ll wish you had killed me that day. Oh, and dematerializing, along with the use of other powers inside the fortress is blocked.”
Týr didn’t bother to respond. He’d never deliberately hurt Kira. He paused at the huge entrance of the fortress, taking in the vast, dusty courtyard rife with soldiers. Two shit-tall demons—probably over seven feet, sporting leathery, russet-toned skin and chainmail armor—stood sentry at the enormous black gates some distance away.
Exploring the training fields of the Dark Realm was definitely not on his to-do list. Since he had other things urgently requiring his attention while here, he said, “Raincheck on the tour.”
Riley shrugged. “Figured you would. But, at noon, I’m off to meet with someone regarding the missing human children. You can go track on your own. Or, wait a little while, do thetour, then come along.”
Týr narrowed his eyes.
Riley shook his head. “I don’t know what it is with you and your hatred of my species. Anyway, Kira told me about the kids. Come. Stay. Your decision.”
Týr reminded himself of his new rule—can’t kill my mate’s sibling even if he is an asshole.
