“Did you ever thinkthatcould be why the demon is after you?” A tic worked in his jaw.
Because of her quick mouth? She bit back a grin. While her life might suck right now, she did enjoy rattling him.
His expression slipped back to impassive—no lingering sign of his teeny break in control. “I will do a recon of the area. When you’re finished, wait here for me.”
“If they don’t have what I need here, I might have to visit other stores too.”
His cool stare shifted outside and back to her, his eyes like silver-flecked, green granite. “Very well. I will find you.”
Nia shrugged and strolled off before he laid down more rules. Seriously, where did he think she would run off to in this place surrounded by forest, mountains, and fresh air? Besides, much as she liked taunting Lore, she was sticking to his side like duct tape until it was safe to go back home.
Her troubled thoughts slipped back to the name Lore mentioned as she flipped through the knitwear.
Michael.
Why on earth would an archangel want her protected? And from whom?
Kas, or…?God. She blew out an anxious breath. She didn’t know anymore.
Her chest constricted, remembering her near brush with death when the balustrade broke. Before she gave herself a heart attack, she shut it out and concentrated on what she came here for…
Two hours later, Nia slipped her credit card back into the case of her cell phone and left the last store with a shopping bag containing the few things she needed. Underneath her jacket, she wore a thick cream sweater she found on sale—yay forunraveling wool and one tiny hole at the hem. At least she was finally warm.
She glanced up, then down the busy street.
No sign of Lore.
Hunger gnawed at her as she crossed the road to the pharmacy for toiletries. This last stop, then she’d go feed her starving belly and wait for Lore.
Ten minutes later, Nia tapped her foot as she waited for her purchases to be cashed up.
“I haven’t seen you here before.” The guy behind the counter cast her a friendly smile as he handed her a slip to sign. “A visitor, yes?”
She slashed her signature, then took her card. “I am.”
“If you need a tour guide, I’m happy to oblige.” He gave her a flirty smile as he bagged her few things. “I’m Vasile Petre?—”
“She won’t,” a cool voice said.
Nia glanced over her shoulder as Lore strode to her, his previously unbound hair pulled into a ponytail, revealing the hard lines of his cold, handsome face.
It wasn’t like she would have accepted the clerk’s invitation, anyway.
“I’m busy, but thanks.” Nia smiled at the man, who cut Lore a wary look. She grabbed the toiletry bag and walked out before Lore turned the poor guy to stone or something, considering his icy glare.
“Where were you?” she asked.
“Keeping an eye on you.”
She stopped dead. “What? I didn’t see you anywhere.”
“That’s the point when in a busy place, isn’t it? I draw notice. It was best to remain invisible and keep watch.”
Pedestrians skirted them, some casting her a scowl.
Nia shook her head, slipped her credit card into her jacket pocket, and detoured for the café.
“Where are you going?”
