But finally, she’d get to see her brother.
She by-passed a crate and hurried toward the busy, main street.
“Slow down,moró.” Nik grasped her arm.
“I know-I know. I’m just a little nervous. I won’t speak to Liam, promise. I’ll check on Anna, a woman I helped settle here a few weeks ago. Nik—” She spun to him in the shadows of a building. “Did you find out anything about Joyce?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I would have told you this morning. But someone distracted me, dragging me off to the shower.”
She frowned, and at his smirk, she snorted.
The wretch. He enjoyed teasing her.
His expression sobered. “We found her and her boy. That thug gang leader had already gotten to her. The demon who lives underground in The Refuge managed to track them. It seems he has a liking for her.”
“Who?”
“Laex,” he said, studying the crowded shelter entrance.
“Oh, right. I know him. He’s one of the good ones.”
“It would appear so.” Nik shrugged, apparently still not convinced. “He’s also the one who pointed us to the human gang leader involved in the trafficking ring.”
“I hope you killed the sewer bastard. Poor Joyce, she must have been terrified.” Her mind slipped back to her beloved sister, and anger resurged.
You should have told Grandfather, Livy. Showed him your bruises.
A warm, callused palm gently rubbed her upper arm. “It is not your fault,” Nik said. “You cannot save everyone,moró. They must want it, too.”
She was starting to understand that. At least Joyce had someone who cared, and she’d been spared a horrible fate.
“Right. Let’s do this.”
In a blink, her tall, muscular mate shrank, taking on the form of the homeless man who’d stayed with her underground. The black leathers and t-shirt were replaced with old, faded black jeans and a threadbare, gray t-shirt. Even his tan, tattooed skin became a blank canvas. She missed his ink. But those eyes…nothing could change the core of him, the lethal predator barely leashed behind the façade.
He gave her a bland look, concealing his deadly stare. “Ready?”
She huffed out a laugh. “Yes.”
* * *
They entered the massive hall—the place reminding Nik of a hive—crowded with the downtrodden. The aromatic smell of something savory wafted in the air, muting the odor of unwashed bodies. To his right, volunteers of both sexes in their blue and khaki uniforms staffed the serving tables.
Shadow halted at his side, a wave of her emotions flooding him. He glanced at her, then followed her gaze to the last serving table at the far side, settling on the familiar, lanky teenager. The boy wore a baseball cap, the bill turned back, revealing lean features. His blue t-shirt hung a little loose on his wiry build. He spoke to a few of the homeless as he served them.
Starshine?
She shook her head slightly at his telepathic question, her gaze fixed on her brother.I wish I could say I’m okay, but I’m not.
Understandable, but he didn’t want her breaking down and drawing attention. Sure, he didn’t pick up any threat, but Nik didn’t trust the quiet.Perhaps we should do this another day?
“No. I’ll manage,” she whispered, dragging her attention away from the lad.
It’s gonna be okay.Just give me a few days, and you’ll have him with you.
She bit her lip and nodded.You should grab a plate, blend in, and get something to eat.Sheglanced around the place.I found Anna. Liam’s serving at the last table.
Nik waited as Shadow navigated through the crowd, then he made his way to the food line.
