“We also know that the Fae trawl this world, right?” She glanced at her brethren, avoiding Týr’s direct stare. “It seems they’ve been abducting humans, too, under the guise of them leaving of their own will, but, obviously, using mind control.”
“And you know this how?” Týr demanded.
“I have my sources.” She held his flat stare. “However, I came across the tail end of a would-be abduction”—a little white lie, but she trusted Nate and what he’d revealed about that fae—“only I wasn’t sure what had occurred until I was told. The perpetrators were glamoured as humans.”
Curses flew.
Nik frowned. “Where?”
“On the border of the Bowery and Lower East Side, the alley between the old, shutdown furniture warehouse and the metal workshop.”
“I thought that shit stopped millennia ago when we reached a compromise with their king?” Dagan murmured.
“Probably should have denied the help they sought if promises can be so easily forgotten,” Týr growled, his attention finally off her. “Evil invading their realm would keep them busy, then Aethan wouldn’t have to risk his mate, going to the damn Fae world.”
So, the Guardians had reached a comprise with the Fae eons ago? Ely frowned, rubbing her damp brow. But they were still poaching humans?
“I don’t think it’s any of the Fae king’s people,” Michael said slowly, tossing the pen on the desk. “Their promises are binding.”
“Maybe rogue Fae?” Ely rasped, shifting on her seat, seeking relief from the prickling sensation bleeding through her—from her powers or the damn heat, she had no idea anymore. “Like we get rogue angels?”
And her core throbbed. Heavens, she wanted to moan.
“Perhaps.” Michael rubbed his temples. “You come across one of them, make sure to get answers first before taking them out. I won’t have these bastards infiltrating this realm.”
Ely bit back a groan, her head woozy. The room spun—
She grabbed the edge of the desk before she fell off her chair. Gods, she rubbed her cheek on her shoulder, shutting her eyes. Maybe she should go to Exilum—
“Still no relief?” Blaéz asked quietly.
Her head jerked up, and she met his concerned cerulean-blue eyes. Seated on the chair next to her, he seemed too close. And it chafed her. For gods’ sake! This was Blaéz, her fellow warrior and friend.
She shook her head.
“You don’t look well.” Týr’s voice had a slight edge. And she knew why. Her mouth flattened. But all eyes were back on her. Dammit. “Maybe, you should go off duty—”
“I’m fine!”
“I’m sure Ely knows what’s best for her,” Blaéz said, cutting the tension between them.
She rubbed her arms, inhaling lungfuls of air, and tried for a calmer tone. “I’m going to see Reynner after this meeting. I might have to return to the mountains or Exilum to try and expend this energy.”
“Take some time off, Ely.” Michael’s tone and shattered sapphire stare brooked no argument. “You’ll be a target out on the street in this state. The others will cover your shift.”
An order she couldn’t ignore.
Sighing, she pressed her fingers to her burning eyes and nodded.
The meeting finally over, Ely rushed out, pulling on her trench coat, needing to get out of there.
“Ely, wait.”
Biting off a groan, Ely pivoted as Shadow hurried toward her, a hand on her stomach.
“Agápi, why are you running?” Nik demanded, bypassing Ely to stop Shadow from her near sprint.
“Hardly running. I was merely walking. Fast,” she panted, giving lie to her defense, and she scrunched her nose.
