Well, shit.Nymon had known he’d have to explain all of this to Kael, and soon, but he wasn’t sure where to start.He couldn’t lie to Kael, though.“Yeah.I’m going to leave.Tex doesn’t belong here, and I don’t think he’s going to be allowed to stick around.Even if he was,Idon’t want to stick around.I want to see what’s out there, and now, I have a mate to do it with.”
Kael nodded.“I get it.”
Nymon wasn’t sure he did.He didn’t have a mate, and he might never get one.It would be nice if he did, though.Even with all the new complications in Nymon’s life, he’d never been happier, and he wanted his best friend to have the same.
* * * *
TEX WAS HAPPY TO LETNymon and Kael talk.He was curious about Nymon’s best friend, but now wasn’t the time to introduce himself.Kael was freaking out, and Nymon needed to give him an explanation, while Tex had his own things to do.
He hadn’t even left the bathroom before the information Gregory had promised to send him had landed in his inbox.He’d been looking over it when he’d heard someone come into Nymon’s bedroom, so he still wasn’t sure what all of it was, but he suspected he had enough to get out of the house and find out more.That would give Nymon and Kael the opportunity to talk.It would probably be easier for them without Tex hovering there, watching them.
Tex knew that Nymon wasn’t going to be happy about him sneaking out.Unfortunately, it was non-negotiable.Tex couldn’t allow Nymon to get involved, even though his mate would want to.He wasn’t trained.He knew demons better than Tex ever could, but he’d never had to fight one.Tex hoped things wouldn’t come to that today, but just in case, he didn’t want his mate anywhere near where he was going.
Because hewasgoing somewhere.Apparently, Gregory’s analysts found an address.Tex wasn’t quite sure how he’d get there because people were bound to notice a wolf hanging around town, but he’d find a way.From what he’d seen of Starhaven these past few days, no place in town was far from the forest.It was probably one of the reasons the people who’d built Starhaven had done so here.Not only was it hidden under a magic shield, but it was also protected by the forest it was in.There was a lot of nature here, and it would be a lovely town to visit if the demons who led it weren’t so focused on keeping everyone out and isolating themselves.
His phone vibrated as he walked into the kitchen, headed for the back door.He looked down, surprised to see Orlando’s name on his screen.He answered right away.Orlando wasn’t a council assassin or an enforcer, and Gregory had said he wanted to send someone he knew he could trust but who wasn’t official.Besides, Orlando was Tex’s friend.“Hey.”
“Tell me why I just got a call from Gregory telling me you need help?”Orlando asked.
“That’s probably because I do need help.Did he tell you what’s going on?”
“Yes, he did.He mentioned that you met your mate?”
“Yeah.Apparently, I had to visit an invisible town full of demons to find my mate.You had a lot of luck, stumbling on Liam the way you did.”
“I did have a lot of luck when it comes to Liam,” Orlando agreed.“All right.Tell me what you need.Gregory already mentioned a few things, but I want to hear it from you.”
Tex was happy to tell Orlando everything.He wasn’t sure what he would need beyond a few people, but there was one thing that would make all of this easier.“I think Seymour needs to come.”
“Of course he does.He’s a Nix.”
He’d be able to shimmer them around, maybe not in and around town since the shield prevented that, but within the town if they stayed inside the shield, and back home once they were out of it.He’d also be able to heal anyone who got hurt, although Tex wasn’t planning on allowing that to happen.
He wanted out of this place.It was Nymon’s home, but even though it was a gorgeous place, Tex didn’t like it.It felt like a prison that his mate had been stuck in for too long.Keeping everyone in and the world out wasn’t fair, and eventually, the demons would realize that.If Tex had to guess, they’d find out when demons started leaving.Several had already, and he was sure more would leave after Nymon.
“Give us ten minutes,” Orlando said.“From what Gregory said, we should be able to shimmer to the shield, then to you once we’re inside.”
“I didn’t talk to the demons he talked to, but I’m sure that he got his information from them, and they should know.”
“Stay where you are, and don’t get into trouble.”
“I don’t think that’s possible,” Tex said with a smile.“I’m at my mate’s house.I’m trying to keep him out of this, so I’d be grateful if you could hurry.I don’t want him to notice I’m gone.”
“Oh, you’re going to be in trouble if you sneak out right after bonding with him.I’m so glad I’ll be there to see it happen.”
Tex huffed.“Just hurry.”
He could still hear Nymon and Kael talking upstairs when he hung up.He quietly slipped out the back door and onto the porch.He was too exposed there, so he walked down the steps and went to sit in the greenhouse.He’d have to get one built for Nymon once they found a home.He didn’t have a lot of space in his apartment, and he wanted Nymon to have a yard.
But first, they had to get out of here.
Luckily, Orlando hadn’t been lying.He got there just ten minutes later, along with Seymour and Ridge.They all looked a little green, especially Ridge, but he perked up as he looked around.
“Man, I was curious about this town, and I’m not disappointed,” he said.
“You’re not going to be disappointed when you meet demons, either.We need to finish this first, though,” Tex said.
“Gregory said that you were taking the lead,” Orlando said.“He also said that since we’re a team, it’s official.He’s sanctioning us to do this for the council.”
