He scanned the room where the little human remained asleep. All seemed quiet. He didn’t sense a break in the wards, nor were there demons about. Yet his unease remained.
The faint odor of something burning drifted to him.
Eyes narrowed, he tracked for it but couldn’t pinpoint the source. Andthathe didn’t care for.
He flashed outside. Whatever was out there wouldn’t remain hidden for long.
Chapter
Five
Terror torethrough Nia as she fought to free herself from Kas’ grip. “No!”
“Yes. Finally, you’re mine.” He grabbed her throat in a stranglehold, baring her neck. “You can never escape me.” His fangs lengthened.
“Let me go!” she choked, yanking at his wrists. With a growl, he sank his fangs into her flesh. Agony flooded her mind. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t scream.
Impossible heat swept through her. Sparks erupted from her hands, consuming her in flames?—
“No!” Nia bolted upright, clawing at her throat, panting for air.
It took several seconds before awareness trickled back into her horror-stricken mind. No hands were squeezing her throat. Kas wasn’t there. She was safe…safe.
It was just a nightmare.
Sucking in a shuddering breath, she flexed her prickly fingers and blinked, her attention drawn to thedomedwindow. Watered-down sunlight filtered in, revealing the strange room.
Hastily, she took in the small, gloomy room with its faded walls and corner fireplace. The double bed and desk were the only pieces of furniture.
Oh, no, no!Where the hell am I?How the heck did I get here?
Nia frowned, trying to recall what had happened, but her head remained fuzzy, and the acrid smell of something burnt distracted her. Her gaze darted around. Nothing appeared to be on fire, not even the wood in the hearth…
Her gaze lowered to the pillow she clutched. Charred handprints had seared right through the linen.
Nooo!She shrieked, leaped off the bed, and darted across the room, opening the window near the desk. She shoved the cushion outside. Panting hard, she gaped at her ash-coated fingers.
God, it can’t be me. It can’t.
The only thing she could do was sense demons. Not summon fire.
The door flew open, and she spun around. Lore stood there like a warrior angel ready to smite an entire demon army.
“You screamed. What happened?” His stare, as sharp as a sword, nailed hers. “I don’t sense any interference in the wards. No threats.”
Eyes wide, Nia backed up a step, her hip hitting the desk behind her, and she grabbed the edge for support. She opened her mouth, then shut it. There was no way she could ever spill her suspicions. She already had enough to deal with.
His gaze shifted to the messed-up double bed, minus one pillow. “I smell something burned.”
Her heart thudded, and she searched the room, scrambling for an excuse. “Of course you do, Sherlock.” A thick taper on the desk had melted down to its base. “I lit the candle, saw a rat, and screamed. Can’t stand the critters.”
His eyes narrowed, shifting to the unlit taper and back to her.
“What? Do you think this place is rodent-free?” she blurted, trying to distract him. “With dust balls everywhere? See?” She swiped a shaky finger over the table surface. It had been clean, but now a light scatter of ash covered the wood, which had probably dropped from the singed pillow. Nia mentally begged whoever cleaned this place for their forgiveness.
Lore left without a word.
Oh, boy!She sagged against the desk, pressing a hand to her heaving belly.
