But dammit, how did she ask if anything was wrong when he appeared like a grumpy bear awakened from mid-hibernation? She settled for the truth. “I sensed—I thought something was wrong with you…”
“Do youseeanything wrong?” he drawled, his expression lacking amusement.
She scowled, wishing she could scrub this sensation from her mind that something worrisome was going on with him. But he seemed okay, with his mile-high walls up again.
“We aren’t staying, Greek,” Týr muttered. “So reel in your ire. C’mon, Shadow. He appears his usual delightful self. Let’s go.”
Frustrated by Nik’s intractable stance, and the uneasiness in her tired brain that wouldn’t quit when it came to him, Shadow turned to Týr. “I’m sorry I wasted your time.” More fool her for following her stupid feelings.
“It’s never a waste of my time to help,” he said gently, eyes soft with understanding. He drew her close.
“No!” Rough hands hauled her away from Týr, and a raging caveman stood between them.
Honestly. Shadow glared at Nik, looming over her, his expression as hard as this granite mountain they stood on. “What is wrong with you?” she demanded. “You don’t want me here, so let me leave.”
The stare Nik leveled at her, blistered her nerves.
Man, no reasoning with him in this mercurial mood. Inhaling a deep breath, she faced Týr. “I’m so sorry.”
“No need to apologize. I can handle the Greek’s crazy moods.” A smile hovered, deep dimples creasing his cheeks. “Ready to go, or are you staying—”
“She’s staying,” Nik snapped, tugging her close, practically plastering her to his chest. Heck, it surprised her he hadn’t actually grabbed her by the hair and dragged her off into his cave—er, monastery.
“Guess that means I’m leaving alone.” Týr winked at her.
It relieved her a lot that Kira’s man was so cool even with a knuckle-dragging brute slaying him with a fierce scowl.
“You need anything, just call,” Týr said.
“She won’t.”
The warrior laughed and dematerialized, vanishing from sight.
She pried Nik’s hand away from her waist, then frowned at the blood smears on her palms. Hurriedly, she examined his inked arms, but he didn’t have any wounds. Her gaze shot up, and his grim stare snared hers. “What?”
“This is a bad idea.”
“Everything is a bad idea with you,” she muttered, frowning at the fading bruises on his jaw. Her gaze dropped lower. Scabs covered his knuckles, too. “You’ve been fighting!That’swhat I sensed?”
“There’s no need for you to worry about me.”
“Yeah, obviously,” she shot back. “You’re a big and strong warrior and utterly infallible. Why would you need someone like me?” A little slow, but she got the message.
A vein pulsed on his brow. “You’re here now, come inside.”
“Jeez, such a gracious welcome.” Feeling like a fool waiting for crumbs of acceptance, she pivoted for the granite balustrade. Exhaustion and a sense of unworthiness swamped her. “I think maybe it’s better if I leave—”
“Theós, Shadow.” Nik’s arms slipped around her waist, startling her, and he buried his face in her neck, a tired sigh escaping him. “This is so fucking hard. I’m at my most dangerous right now. It’s the only reason I left New York. And you’re right in its path. I need time—time to get myself together.”
She had to fight the constraints of his arms to turn and put a hand on his chest to get some space so she could see his face. “What do you mean?”
He let her go and rubbed a bruised hand on his bristly jaw. “It’s because of what I am. Just fucking bad news all round—”
A bright light flashed over the courtyard, distracting them and blinding her.
Nik pivoted, keeping her behind him, and he growled.
What the heck was that? Her sight a little blurred from the flash, Shadow clutched Nik’s shirt and peered around him, then gaped at the ethereal figure coasting down to take up space between them and the gloomy monastery. All the darkness created a perfect backdrop for the heavenly being. His six-foot wings fluttered, emitting a golden glow and sending a light breeze over them.
