“With the Narakas, anything’s possible. Nik?” Michael glanced his way. “I know I haven’t approved your permanent return to Romania, but this new development requires everyone here.”Let me know when it gets too close for you again,he telepathed Nik. “Race can handle things for a little longer. If this gets any worse, I might just have to bring him in, along with the other warriors I have stationed elsewhere.”
Nik’s thoughts focused inward. Even now, with the perilous demons’ blood moon mere days away, he could feel its tug straining his mental shields. Yeah, he would have to be as far away as possible from the living soon.
“Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that,” Aethan muttered.
“Yes…” The Arc’s eerie blues slid over them. “But back to the other problem. One of you has to infiltrate the underground gang before another child or woman is lost. The human authorities are too damn close to discerning otherworldly involvement in this. If they get an inkling, we’re in a shitload of trouble. Best is to get underground, get near someone there, and unearth the scourge behind this.”
“Let me.” Elytani straightened in her chair opposite Týr, eyes brightening in anticipation. “Since they’re abducting females and young, I should go and be a decoy. I mean, I can take care of myselfandfight Others.”
“No.” Michael shook his head. “Not for this.”
Yeah, Nik agreed with the Arc. Coming from a race of angel-like beings—the Empyreans—Elytani was too noticeable with her flaxen hair, six-foot height, and striking looks. She would instantly put the demons involved on the alert.
“I’ll go,” Blaéz said.
“You?” Týr reared back, faking shock. “The pin-up for Healthy Living, Glamour, and GQ? Yeah,rrright.”
Nope, the Celt didn’t fit. He was the antithesis of a gangster with his well-trimmed black hair and smooth looks, even if he currently narrowed his cobalt blues.
“Norse, I’m smiling. That alone should terrify you.”
Týr smirked, pulling out his M&M’s. “One on one, pool, tomorrow? I win, it proves I’m right.” He tossed a few reds into his mouth, brow cocking in challenge.
Blaéz’s grin became feral. “You’re on.”
“And this is why,” Ely deadpanned, “after the Creator shaped males, he decided he could dosooomuch better. And here we are.”
Startled silence swept through the room.
Nik snorted. The female had integrated well and held her own with this lot of hardheads.
Guffaws of laughter erupted.
“Well played, Ely,” Týr said, chuckling. “I’ll admit, I’m nothing without my mate.”
She gave a little bow and leaned back in her chair. “It’s good you recognize female power.”
“Nik,” Michael said, cutting into their levity. “You’re more suitable.”
Nik remained silent and rubbed his inked biceps, the urge to ignore all this shit and just hoof it back to Romania taking hold. But his damn hands were tied when the Arc had his ass nailed to this place. “Very well.”
“Nik, hold on,” Týr called out, all signs of needling gone. “Kira has a friend who lives underground. The female would probably know more. She also hauls the homeless kids to The Shelter and probably hangs out there, too. Goes by Shadow. Black hair, purple streaks, height around five-seven, or so. I’ll check with my mate for more info.”
Nik slid his hands into his pants pocket. No, he didn’t need a description. He knew exactly who Týr meant.
The littlemachitíshad kneed him in the balls.
Hell,hecould have saved himself a shitload of trouble hunting for her if he’d asked Kira straight out. But he’d been too busy isolating himself from the household and the females.
“There’s something else,” Blaéz said, sending a quick look at Aethan. “We have a tear in the veils again.”
The Empyrean’s expression appeared molded in granite. Yeah, he already knew. His mate, Echo, was the Curantii—the Healer of the mystical rift—a gift from her angelic ancestors, The Watchers. Nik had heard, it knocked her into a deep, healing sleep for several days afterward.
Aethan’s mouth thinned, but he nodded. “I’ll see to it.”
Yeah, no matter his feelings—or the adverse effect it had on his mate after healing the veils—his fellow warrior understood it had to be done.
The meeting adjourned, Nik walked outside.
