Nik put his mug down, leaned his elbows on the table, his stare fixed on hers. “You are not well enough,” he said, tone still low. “That demon didn’t just claw you, he gouged you. Don’t tell me you’re capable of moving about without falling on your face.”
Those striking eyes flared with anger. Her lips pressed in a tight line, she shot up, the chair dragging on the floor. The chatter died out as she rushed from the kitchen.
“Jeez, Greek,” Týr muttered, “Easy. She’s been through hell.”
Nik cut the warrior a flat stare as he shoved to his feet and strode out after Shadow. He found her making her way down the corridor, a hand on the wall as if needing the assistance. His heart pumped hard in concern. “Shadow—”
“Leave me alone.” She stepped into the open elevator.
He flashed, slipping inside just as the door rolled shut. “Look—”
“I don’t want to talk to you. Y-you embarrassed me in front of everyone.” She blinked at the ascending numbers, a glint of tears in her eyes. Hell.
“I don’t want you falling and causing more harm to yourself—”
“So I can get out of your life faster, you mean?” Her tense features hardened. “Don’t worry, I plan to. I didn’t ask to come here.”
He slapped his palm on theStopbutton, his own ire ramping up at her hardass attitude. He spun her around, and she pressed back into the corner, away from him. “Where the hell was I supposed to leave you?” he demanded, keeping his hand on the button and caging her. “Out on the street?”
“Maybe you should have—”
“Godsdammit.” Nik exhaled roughly, spiked with frustration…then she bit her lower lip.
And that unstoppable need and desire for her surged. Unable to stop himself, he gently stroked his thumb across her mouth, preventing her biting.
Eyes wide, her breath escaped in a rush, then she ducked under his arm and moved to the other side of the elevator.
Fuck. Nik lowered his head, a hand still braced on the control panel. He should have just left instead of going after her. But he didn’t because she washis—
No, dammit! Not his, his responsibility. He thumped the button, and the elevator rose upwards once more.
Nik leaned against the metal wall, watching her with a hooded stare.
She kept her focus fixed on the door.
The moment it rolled opened, she almost ran, as if escaping evil.
She wouldn’t be wrong.
Exhaling roughly, he scrubbed his jaw. Yeah, better he got his ass back on the street and forget this futile attraction to a woman who seemed to hate him.
His serpent tatt stirred.Fix it. Makesss her likesss usss again.
For once, Nik had no comeback.
Chapter 10
Nik prowledthrough the dank underground tunnel, heavy with musty air in the early hours of the morning, passing the area where the demon fight happened two nights ago. Frustration still torqued him, and the malevolent riot within ramped up, tearing at his mind.
The latter he’d lived with for millennia and endured, but the former gouged out chunks of his frozen heart.
He hadn’t meant to hurt Shadow with what he’d said. Didn’t the difficult female understand she would only do more damages to herself walking about while unwell? And, of course, he’d handled the situation with the subtlety of a battering goat.
Worse, the night’s hunting was a dead end. He’d picked up no clues about Eddi’s death or the abductions, and the homeless knew nothing, either.
Dagan materialized near him. “Nothing on the south side. All’s quiet,” he said, those keen citrine eyes skimming him. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Nik headed deeper into the tunnel, then slowed down near an open area with massive pillars. Behind one graffitied column, he found Shadow’s backpack. As he straightened, bag in hand, snarling voices reached him.
