“How did I do that?” Her gaze locked on his. “Both take and return your powers?”
“Your ancestor, Zarias, the Watcher’s leader, possessed that capability. Your emotions brought it out faster. Though with him, it was just a touch.”
Unable to cope with what he was telling her, Nia rubbed her chest. Heck, her heart pounded so hard against her sternum that it actually hurt. She had inherited a perilous power from a long-dead and powerful angel.
His eyebrows knitted together. “What is it? Are you okay? Does anything feel different within you?”
Okay? Man, she wanted to run and hide, pretend none of this existed…but that meant never seeing Lore again.
Inhaling sharply, she shut her eyes and took stock of herself…
Everything appeared normal again, but an intense warmth lit within her, soothing her.
She looked up, and her heart squeezed as she met his quiet stare. Hell, whenever she saw or thought of him, happiness swamped her.
“I’m fine. Everything is as it should be.” With a deep sigh of relief, she hugged him, pressing her face to his chest. “I don’t know how you do it. Live with all that.”
His arms came around her. “I was created this way, and my powers increased once I settled into my role in the angelic order. I can shut out everything when needed?—”
A knock sounded. Nia hastily put space between them.
Lore glared at the door. “She’s fine. You can leave.”
“Good to know.” Race’s chuckle echoed from the corridor. “Nia, see you soon.” His laughter faded as he left.
She frowned at her angel. “There’s no need to be so curt with him.”
“He barged in when I was inside you.”
Heat scorched her face, vaguely recalling the incident. “He probably thought you were attacking me.” She bit back a smile at his scowl. “Anyway, he kept me safe when the demons attacked.”
Lore’s entire being went scary-ass still. “Demons? They appeared here while I was unconscious?”
She nodded.
Instantly, he glanced around, probably scanning for any discrepancies. “What happened?”
Right. There was still that to explain. With a deep exhale, she returned to the bed and picked up her socks from the floor. “It occurred after I brought you inside.”
He took a step toward her and halted. “Youbrought me inside? How?”
She shot him a terse look as she pulled on her socks. “I had to teleport you from the river to here. After I settled you on the bed and tended to your wound?—”
Her gaze shot to his brow and the Band-Aid there. Nia darted up, went on her toes, and carefully removed the bandage to reveal smooth skin. She exhaled in relief. “You’re healed, finally.”
Nia squashed the Band-Aid, crossed to the corner fireplace, and tossed it into the dying embers. She returned to the bed.
He didn’t respond, but he touched the healed spot, and his gaze softened.
“Anyway,” she continued, picking up her boots, trying to stop her stupid heart from doing a dizzy spin. “Demons filled the courtyard, trying to get into the abbey?—”
“And the wards kept them out,” he said with a slow nod.
“Yeah.” She put on her boots and zipped up. “I was terrified they’d find a way to break in. Then Race appeared in his dragon form and took them out in one bellow of fire. Man…” She shook her head, smiling and remembering. “He sure was something to see.”
Lore leveled her a dark stare, sliding his hands into his pants pocket. “He’s annoying.”
“Hey.” She reached out and patted his arm, hiding her smile. “Race is nice, but I like you more.”
