Chapter
Seven
Lore exhaled deeplyas the door slammed upstairs, staring at the empty spot where Nia had been. He could understand her being upset. No one wanted to be hunted for the rest of their life.
He’d give her a few minutes to calm down, then seek her out and explain that she had choices. He shut his eyes, letting his mind connect with the Celestial Realm…
And like before, he came back with a bump, his mind on his charge. He walked the perimeter of the table a few times…
Might as well go and speak to her.
He collected her shopping bags and headed upstairs. A palm on the door, he pushed, but it wouldn’t budge. Though he sensed nothing untoward, a feeling of unease trickled through him. Lore flashed into her room. The bed was empty, the room icy-cold.
He found her seated on the floor, her back against the door, face hidden in her raised knees. Her hair spilled all over her arms.
He set the bags on the desk near the open window. Frowning, he glanced back at her, but she didn’t stir. She’d removed all her warm clothing and wore only a thin top and jeans.
He walked over and knelt in front of her. “Nia?”
A shuddering breath escaped her, and she tilted her head sideways, her hair falling away, revealing her softer, sleeping profile. She appeared pale beneath her tan skin, and sweat dampened her brow.
Carefully, he scooped her into his arms, and her fresh apple scent enfolded him as her slight weight settled against him. Asleep, her eyelashes cast shadows against her honey skin, giving her an innocent air, a facade concealing her quick mouth and fiery temper.
Lore found himself intrigued by her spirit.
He settled her on the bed and drew the covers over her. A whimper escaped as she turned to her side and curled into a ball. He hunkered down and placed his palm over her temple. The growing psychic buzz within her continued. He couldn’t pick up on any thoughts or dreams. Everything within her was a turmoil of colors.
Her brow furrowed, and he soothed her mind. With a soft sigh, she settled again.
As if compelled, he picked up her silky, inky black strands and gently rubbed them between his fingers. Mid-stroke, he froze.
He dropped her hair, fingers clenching. Why had he done that? He was not the type to soothe or even beintriguedby anyone.
It would be best to find her a protector. She’d need one when he left this world, anyway.
There is an unmated Guardian…
Yes, the warrior would do.
She’d be safe if her abilities turned out to be deadly, and she could live her human life uninterrupted… Until he found out the truth and received his elimination order from Chamuel.
Lore flashed from the room to a cave deep in the mountains, not far from the abbey. A short distance from the dark mouth,he crouched on a rock protruding from the mounds of snow, not interested in traipsing through the thick, white layer to find his target.
Whorls of heavy mist curled around him. The low clouds slowly parted, and the sun cast its weak light over the craggy, snow-covered peaks.
Eracier—Race?he sent out the thought.A word.
The warrior had to know who awaited him.
Minutes passed. His mouth thinned, then he heard a shuffle deep within the cave. A guttural rumble erupted?—
A burst of fire rolled out of the cave mouth, melting the layer of snow for several meters and forming a huge puddle.
Lore didn’t move. Always a show with these Guardians.
The air shifted. Race appeared in his massive, black dragon form, his horns and the top parts of his elongated, serpentine features lost in the low-hanging clouds.
Lore didn’t bother to ask him to change forms. This wasn’t a meet and greet. “We’ve found another psionic. You are the only unmated male left to protect her.”
