“What?”
“I mean, you being an Empyrean, I heard about your species’ immense powers,” Echo said, her anxious gaze searching Ely’s as if looking for a sign she was about to erupt. “I know Aethan had to do so constantly before we were mated. You know, let the white quartz found in the mountains absorb your excess energy?”
“No, no, I’m okay.” Ely huffed out a wry laugh. “It’s just the males who need to Ground…” she trailed off because her powerswereescalating. Wasthatresponsible for what was happening to her? A glitch in her DNA causing the temperature spike?
She sank on the wrought iron chair, dropping her face into her palms, and groaned, wishing she knew…and the crotch seams of her jeans brushed against her sensitive core—
Gods! She lurched to her feet.
“Let me call Aethan. He’ll know—”
“No, don’t. If it continues, then I’ll go and Ground. This could be because of my new power’s awakening. After all, the ancient goddess did gift me with another ability.”
“Ohhh, right.” Echo nodded, her relief palpable, the concern in her striking eyes diminishing.
“Eshana, a moment?”
Echo pivoted at her birth name as the archangel and Aethan joined them on the terrace.
Frowning, Ely rubbed her arms. Something was up.
“What’s wrong—what happened?” Echo asked, hurrying to her mate.
Mouth tight, his gray eyes resembling gathering storm clouds, Aethan slipped his arm around her and held her as if to keep her safe from the world.
Echo might appear petite, the top of her head just about reaching Aethan’s collarbone, but she was a firehouse with a potent ability. It was expected with her being a descendant of the all-powerful leader of the Watchers.
“You’re needed,” Michael answered. “We have—”
“Another rift?” Her bi-colored eyes widened.
Michael inclined his head. “Yes.”
The air shimmered, and a stranger took form, wearing a navy tunic over black, leather-like pants and knee-high boots. His gleaming mahogany-red hair was pulled in a ponytail, revealing pointy ears and a stunning face. Extraordinary purple eyes swept over them.
“This is Angelus,” Michael introduced the young fae, who appeared to be around nineteen or so in mortal years. “That’s Elytani of Ademéras, and Echo, Aethan’s mate. She’s the Curantii.”
Oh, crap, trouble on another world?
“My ladies.” The fae gave them a half-bow in acknowledgment.
“Angelus will be your guide for where you need to go,” Michael told Echo.
Angelus inclined his head, expression somber. “While we can fight the evil that attacks us, the tear in the veil into our world grows wider, and makes it impossible to win this battle.”
“Wait-wait.” Echo pushed away from Aethan, her brow furrowing. “Not Earth?”
“No. My old realm in the fae world,” Angelus said. “At the Vales of Ishinor.”
Echo’s jaw nearly smacked her chest.
Worried now, Ely rubbed her damp palms down her jeans. Being a Guardian, she’d learned a little about the Fae. The Light Fae were tolerable at best, but the Dark Fae? Humans were collectibles to the latter. She had to warn Echo, just not in front of Aethan. But judging from his tight features, he already knew.
“So…” Echo’s gaze rushed to Aethan’s, and a smile started. “I, a former human, will save the fae world?”
Aethan sighed and shook his head, but his grim expression softened.
“Okay. Give me a few minutes to change and pack a few things.” Echo hurried for the door, then threw over her shoulder, “I mean, we don’t know how long we’ll be gone, right?”
