After the night they had, heck, she was still in shock.
Her shoulder blades twinged. Ugh. Shadow reached to her back and tried to rub the slight ache that started last night. She must have strained her muscles or something while working out yesterday.
The door opened, and Ely strolled in, ethereally beautiful in her leathers and tank top, her long pale hair pulled into a high plaited ponytail.
“The night’s been too quiet,” she grumbled, grabbing a soda from the fridge.
Quiet? Sheesh. Nik probably hadn’t told them about the demon horde or the hellhound yet.
Ely dropped on a chair at the table laid out for the morning meal, broke the tab on her can, and swallowed some Pepsi. “You want to join me at the gym later today?”
“Yes. I’d like that.” She smiled.
The door opened. Aethan and Echo walked in, followed by Blaéz with Darci, then Kira and Týr—and even Bob, the chubby cat. Chairs dragged as they all sat at the massive oak table, and Bob immediately leaped up, parking his pudgy body on Echo’s lap. But her favorite person in the entire castle was missing.
Nik?She mind-linked with him.
On my way, agápi,he said softly, and her roiling stomach settled.
Dagan and Shae appeared, claiming their seats, too.
A shift in the air and Shadow’s focus snapped to the open terrace door.
Nik stepped inside, bringing the early morning breeze with him. His gaze immediately found hers…that stare. It warmed her all the way to her soul. God, she missed him. She rushed into his arms, and his mouth found hers in a tender kiss.
The inner door opened. A compelling presence sweeping through the kitchen had her turning in Nik’s arms. Michael stopped near the island counter, those eerie blue eyes taking them all in, in one sweep.
Jeez. She still had to get used to having a heavenly being in front of her who dressed like some biker dude in leathers, sporting messy hair and dark shades parked on his head.
“Really, Arc, dial down that crap,” Nik muttered.
Blaéz snorted, as did the other warriors.
Shadow petted Nik’s powerful forearms around her, soothing his crankiness.
No, not even the archangel could match up to her Nik. His persona might be deadly and dark, but his heart was huge. He gave her what she needed, vengeance for her sister, rescuing her brother, and especially her feeding from other males even when he didn’t like it. Moreover, he saved her from her own darkness.
Her emotions for him flooding her, she rested her head against his chest.
Michael lifted an eyebrow at Nik, and Shadow sensed amusement beneath his cool exterior. The angelic allure faded. He raked back the loose strands of hair that slipped his half ponytail. “I don’t have much time—”
“Hell, Arc,” Aethan groaned, the overhead lights glinting off his striking blue-toned hair. “Give us a moment to breathe and say hello to our mates. Then we can convene for the meet-up.” He scooped Echo from her seat, heavy cat and all, and onto his lap.
“Aethan,” Echo groaned, her one arm flaying as she tried to grab a sliding Bob with her other. The feline screeched and fell, landed on all fours, and waddled off. She rolled her eyes.
Aethan smirked, making Shadow smile.
“You already seem to have that well in hand,” Michael drawled, leaning against the isle counter. “But a quick round-up. Anything I should be aware of? Any progress on who’s behind the human trafficking?”
“Found one. A human,” Aethan said, his teasing expression switching to granite. “We rescued four females and three kids.”
The archangel’s relaxed posture stilled. “Where is he?”
“Frozen,” Nik replied.
He blinked as if dumbfounded. “Dammit, Nik. Couldn’t you simply cuff him or something?”
“Thesomethingworked better,” Nik muttered. “He had demons working for him. He would have disappeared into the woodwork, then crawled out and done the same shit again, selling females and children. Whether he comes out of this with his mind intact?” He lifted a shoulder. “Hard to say.”
