He nodded. “You need anything, call. Remember, our home is always open to you. You know that, right?”
Tears burned her eyes. If only those words had come from Lore. But he didn’t do emotions. Didn’t even understand what comfort meant, the one thing she so badly needed. She pressed her face into Zayn’s chest and hugged him. “Thank you.”
“Hey.” He rubbed her back. “We got you, Nia.”
Her words were muffled against his shirt. “I know.”
“So, what gives? I feel there’s more.”
She shook her head.
He stopped guiding her around the dance floor and tipped her chin up. “Is it the angel?”
Her heart skipped a beat. “What?” It was one thing for Saia to know, but she didn’t want anyone else catching on. Not even Zayn. “I don’t know what?—”
“Okay, got it.” He nodded. “Nia, love, I want you to be happy, to smile, and collect happy kisses.”
“Collect what?” She blinked. “I don’t think?—”
He kissed her, just a brief press of mouths, but it startled her. “Happy kiss number one.”
A snarl erupted behind her. “She’s mine!”
Nia spun around as Kas’ form shifted to demonic and back to human. A shriek exploded as a sizzling demon bolt torpedoed toward them. The lights flickered. Patrons screamed.
A furious angel materialized before them, taking the fiery bolt in his chest. The impact sent him stumbling into Zayn.
Riley appeared, and the shrieking patrons froze. He dove for Kas.
Teeth bared, Kas escaped in a swirl of black smoke. Riley cursed and vanished, too.
“Lore!” Nia cried, darting toward him and grasping his arm before he disappeared.
He twisted around. At the gaping, bloody hole in his shirt, she gasped, “You’re hurt?—”
Her gaze rushed up. His eyes blazed with such anger that she stumbled a step.
Then he was pushing her to Zayn. “Keep her here.”
The ice in his tone sent a chill down her spine. “Lore, wait!”
He vanished in a scatter of silver sparks.
The patrons came alive and scrambled, knocking into tables and screaming. Zac materialized among them, and they all calmed down and continued with their fun as if nothing had happened. Music blared, and laughter erupted.
Breathing hard, Nia stood there. No, he wasn’t gonna just walk away! She tried to tug free of Zayn’s grip, but his hold remained unbreakable. “Dammit, Zayn, let me go!”
“It’s dangerous.”
“Lore’s hurt?—”
“I know. He’s an angel, he’ll heal.”
“This is different. I feel it.” It wasn’t just him being wounded. The rage in him gutted her. Something was dreadfully wrong.
With a hard yank, she broke free and sprinted for the door, hoping she wasn’t too late.
Chapter
