He turned, bird cupped in his hands. “You’re not staking out anything. I’ll do the legwork, get you in, you take the scroll, and that’s it.”
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “You tried to take it before, didn’t you?”
“Yes, we attempted to, but when one like us touches it, it disappears. We let it be, but kept track of it over the centuries.”
“And if it doesn’t respond to me?”
“So easy you forget why it will: your blood.”
At his brusque tone, her mouth tightened. She lowered her gaze to the bird. “I’ll take him.”
Gently, she scooped the bird from him, her fingers brushing his. He jerked back—felt like a thousand volts had hit him hard in the chest. Her gaze flickered to his, hurt crossing her face. If she only knew the sad bloody truth—it had nothing to do with her damn scars—he could barely be close to her, without wanting to touch her.
“I’ll see you later. I have to pick up my car.” He strode out, the door banging shut behind him.
Outside the apartment, Reynner dematerialized to the backstreet where the car he’d acquired on the day he went to the gallery was parked—still safe with the protection spell he’d cast on it, which had been more for Eve’s safety.
He dragged in a deep breath and tried to get his aroused body to calm down. He leaned against the grimy building and hoped a couple of demoniis would troll his way.
He needed a godsdamn fight, needed to work off his frustration.
Shoving his hands into his pocket, his fingers brushed against a piece of metal. He drew it out and ran his thumb around Eve’s earring. The essence of her imprinted on the gold loop seeped into him… The taste of her branded in his memory…her hands clamped in his hair while he had his mouth on her...
Hunger, raw and wild took hold. His fingers tightened around the earring—his jaw clenched so hard, it was a miracle his molars didn't crack.
He dropped the earring back in his pocket.She’s off limits.
His was a soul trapped in endless darkness, not something any sane person would want to take on. Besides, he’d never trust a female enough to even try. He’d rather cut off his balls first.
A sudden spike of familiar pain spread from his chest and he gnashed down on his teeth. Godsdamn Inanna, she was back to her fucking stunts.
Pulling in a harsh breath, Reynner tried to ride out the shitstorm just as an odd vibe brushed his psyche. He scanned his surroundings. No sulfur, definitely not demoniis or humans, so who the fuck was following him?
Lowering his shields, Reynner tracked on the psychic plane. That strange sensation swept through him again, one he couldn’t quite place. He pushed off from the wall and headed out of the alley. In a flash, Reynner disappeared into a recessed doorway and dematerialized. And took form in front of his stalker with the white-tipped mohawk.
“Dark—shit!” Reynner’s voice dried off. His gut churned. Only those emotionless bastards would dare to look him in the eyes and not care that he could kill them. And he was so in the mood for an all-out fight.
“Guess that makes youlight…shit?” the male drawled.
“Why the fuck are you on my ass,” Reynner snapped.
“I don’t roll that way. But if you're willing—” He struck, head-butting Reynner. Stars exploded behind his eyelids.
Reynner lashed out and landed a solid blow to the Darkrean’s belly. He crashed into the building with a hollow thud, cursing. Not so emotionless, after all. Grabbing him by the scruff of his collar, Reynner drew out his dagger. He flipped the blade in the air, caught the hilt, and pressed the edge against the Darkrean’s throat. It meant little to him to end this asshole’s life, but for the fact the Darkreans would be on his ass for killing one of their own. And he wanted answers. He scanned the icicle in his grip for information. But their damn shields were just as strong as an Empyrean’s.
“What are you doing here, on this realm?” Like he didn’t know.
His expression guileless, Mohawk panted, “Mortal females are way too tempting—”
“You don’t want to fuck with me, Darkrean.”
A sly smirk rode the male’s face. “Let me make this real easy for you, since you seem to have lost your rational mind being away from Empyrea so long. What you have, we want. The foretold one.”
“Not happening.” Icy, thread-like fingers slithered into Reynner’s head. At the psychic intrusion, he snarled.
Mohawk laughed. “I know her face.”
Fury pouring off Reynner, he smashed Mohawk in the face with a power-driven fist. The Darkrean’s head hit the wall behind him with a resounding crack, and he slid to the ground, lights out.
