“He’s right.” I knocked Sloane’s arms down before she smacked me in the face. “Sleep is off the table.”
“Then let’s go for a walk.” Rían took my hand, hauling me onto my feet. “Sound good?”
“Sounds amazing.” I hesitated before he dragged me away. “Thanks, everyone.”
Anticipation buzzed through the room, but it was the anxiety spawned by an upcoming mission and no longer aimed at me. If I was successful, I might bridge the gap between the clan’s fears and the niche I hoped to carve out for myself as an equal partner for Rían who wouldn’t hesitate to get my hands dirty to protect those I loved and those within the clan I would soon join.
Out on the sidewalk, I drew in a cleansing breath, noting the position of the sun.
“Hard to believe our strategy session lasted for so long.” I threaded my fingers through his, smiling when his grip tightened, reassuring me he welcomed my touch. For as long asI lived, I would never take his casual acceptance for granted. “I was scared for a minute it was going to be a bust.”
“You’ve made a big impression on Seamus. That’s the first step toward acceptance among the enforcers. They respect and admire him. He’s trained most of them, so they listen to what he says. To have him throwing his support behind you in front of the others shows them your actions have cemented his loyalty.” Pride danced around his mouth. “Securing Liam’s support doesn’t hurt either.”
“We’re getting along better than I expected,” I admitted, willing to give him credit where credit was due. “He only cares about protecting you, the same as the rest of the clan. I won’t hold that against any of them.” I couldn’t stop my smile. “I’m rather fond of giraffes these days myself.”
“I would prefer if no one else in the clan heard you refer to me like that.”
“Liam and Fayne already know,” I comforted him, snorting. “How much worse can the rest be?”
“That is…” he dredged up a sigh, “…sadly true.”
“I need to leave a spare key under the mat at GSG.” I shoved down the excitement bubbling up in me. “Clary wants to get started first thing in the morning, and it sounds like I’ll be in the field or just getting in around her start time.”
“The muralist, right?”
“Yes.” I froze as an idea struck me. “Would you mind handing it off to her?”
During the Brentwood lockdown, I didn’t mind as much knowing so many people had access to GSG, but it was a source of anxiety leaving one of the four keys cut to fit the new locks where anyone could find it if they used their shifter senses to retrace my steps. And I had no doubt there were eyes on GSG too.
The bomber and the poisoner,ifthey were different people, would monitor it until they completed their tasks. As much as I hoped they were one and the same, we couldn’t afford to make assumptions with so many enemies at our borders.
“No problem.” He patted his pocket, where he kept his key ring. “She can borrow mine.”
“Thanks.” A flash of heat in the center of my chest had my hand lifting, my fingers searching out my single dragon scale through the fabric of my shirt. “You’re a lifesaver.”
As we walked on, we came upon an SUV with its trunk open, and Rían slowed to eyeball the vehicle.
“Guess someone was in a hurry.” He scanned the street, but no one was out except us. “We should shut it, in case they forgot. Crime is low in Brentwood, but I wouldn’t feel right leaving it like this. Someone could break in.” He threw out a hand, stopping me from following him. “I’ll be right back.”
For some reason, my mind overlayed Mindy sprinting toward her car onto the scene before me, and my gut twisted. The heat in my chest grew more persistent the farther he got from me, until my feet propelled me forward in a jerking gait that jittered through my knees.
Flames ignited across my skin in a whoosh that stole my breath and turned me into a human torch.
Damn it. I still had no control. I was a danger to myself and others until I got a handle on my powers.
“Don’t,” I gasped out, reaching toward him. “Get away.”
“Ana?” Rían pivoted toward me, his voice dipping. “What’s…?”
“Get away from the vehicle.” I swept my arm in an arc. “Stand back.”
Rían approached me, open palms facing out, a pinch in his brow offering me comfort amid my confusion.
“It’s okay.” His voice lowered to a soothing register. “I’m right here.”
“Get behind me,” I slurred, a drugging sensation swimming through my veins.“Now.”
“Okay.” He put up no further resistance. “I’ll do as you say.”
