Tex was surprised.He’d thought the council would want to wait for more proof.At the same time, it made sense that they didn’t want this to continue any longer.People were getting hurt.The council’s job was to protect supernatural beings, but it also protected humans when they had to.The demons here had hurt both humans and supernatural beings, and they needed to pay.Clearly, the council had decided to do that without bringing in any other authorities.
As little as Tex liked it, he understood why.He doubted that the demons in charge of the village would have given the council any help even if they’d asked.They were supposed to, but there was a very big difference between what they were supposed to do and what they would actually be willing to do.The council wouldn’t want to start a war with demons.They were doing this the sneaky way because of that.
“What do we do, then?”Ridge said as he clapped his hands together.
“I got some information from Gregory,” Tex said.“Even though I gave his analysts just a few details, she was somehow able to find an address.Apparently, the operation is based out of this place.We need to find the people who own the place and neutralize them.”
Seymour blinked.“What does neutralizing them mean?Because there’s a reason I didn’t become a council assassin.”
“Gregory said to tie everyone up and shimmer them to the shield, then drag them out.”
Ridge groaned.“That’s going to be a lot of work.How many people are we talking about here?”
“And isn’t that kidnapping?This is these people’s home.We’re going to take them without warning anyone?”Seymour asked.
“It’s either that or kill them,” Tex said plainly.“Which isn’t something I want to do.Besides, Gregory wants to interrogate these people.The network might be wider than we think, and it might extend to other towns.We need to know for sure.”
“Are we waiting for someone else?”Ridge asked.“Or is your mate going to help us?”
“My mate doesn’t need to know about any of this.He’s staying out of it.”Tex looked at his three friends, making sure they understood what he was saying.Seymour and Orlando looked amused, while Ridge looked confused.
“But he could help,” Ridge said.
“He’s not going anywhere near those people.I don’t want him to get hurt.”
“So what do we do, then?Are you just going to sneak away?”
“I am, which is why we need to leave now.”
“Or it’s why you need to stop and tell me what the fuck you’re doing,” a voice said from inside the kitchen.
Tex groaned.It was too late for him to sneak out.“I thought your chat with Kael would take longer,” he said as he turned.
The kitchen door opened, and Nymon stepped out.He crossed his arms over his chest and glared.“Yes, I noticed.Did you really think you were going to be able to sneak away without me noticing you were gone?”
“I was hoping I could.”
“Well, you hoped wrong.”And from Nymon’s tone, he wasn’t happy about that.
* * * *
NYMON WAS PISSED.HEunderstood why Tex had been trying to sneak out.That didn’t mean he had to like it.In fact, he very muchdislikedit.
Tex had been about to put himself in danger without letting Nymon know what was going on.Nymon understood that he wasn’t a fighter and didn’t know much about Tex and what he could do, but they were mates.They were supposed to do these things together, weren’t they?Or had he misunderstood?
He swallowed and looked at Tex and the people gathered around him, who were looking back at him with curiosity.The blond Nix looked apologetic, while one of the other guys appeared so interested that Nymon was surprised he hadn’t whipped out some popcorn.
Nymon wanted to know who these people were.He wanted to know how they’d gotten to Starhaven and why his mate had called them.He’d known that he barely knew Tex, and they had time to get to know each other, but this was reinforcing that knowledge.How was he supposed to get to know his mate if said mate was hiding things from him?Tex had been doing that since the beginning, and while it was understandable, Nymon had hoped he wouldn’t continue.
“Hi,” the third man said, stepping closer.“My name’s Orlando.I’m a friend of Tex’s.”
Which meant that he would be in Nymon’s life.Nymon was curious, but right now, he wanted an explanation from Tex.He really hoped Orlando wouldn’t get offended.“Hi,” he said curtly before turning back to his mate.“Were you really going to sneak out?”
Tex sighed.“I was,” he confirmed.“I didn’t want to lie to you, but this could be dangerous.I don’t want to put you in danger, and something tells me that now that you know, you’re going to insist on coming along.”
“I know the town.I know the people who live here.I could help.”
Nymon didn’t want to fight, so when Tex reached for him, he went easily.Tex kissed his forehead.He didn’t seem to care that he was doing so in front of his friends.Nymon certainly didn’t, even though he could feel Kael watching him from inside the house.
