Page 47 of Guardian

Slowly Manus directed his eyes back to Logan. “So you think she’s strong enough to withstand a mental attack by the demons?”

“A mental attack? What does he mean?” Winter asked, a different kind of fear welling up in her.

“The demons first try to bring a human to their side by seducing them with their greatest desires: a loved one cured, a better career, money, anything really. They use their powers of suggestion and for that, they need to get into the person’s mind. If they can’t get in, they can’t seduce.”

She digested the words quickly. “They won’t be able to get into my head. If they try, the same thing will happen that happened to Gabriel.”

Logan nodded. “Exactly.”

Expectantly, she looked at Manus. Would he agree with their conclusion?

“I admit,” Manus said slowly, as if carefully weighing each word, “that this eliminates one method the demons could use to gain influence over you. But that doesn’t mean you’re safe. It doesn’t mean they won’t get you to do their bidding.”

“But I won’t—”

“Will you be able to stay strong if they drag you down to their lair in the Underworld and torture you until you’ll do anything to make the pain stop? Will you?”

Winter’s breath hitched. Her chest heaved, and her heart galloped. She had a low pain threshold. She would crack quickly.

“Didn’t think so.” Manus turned his head to Logan. “So unless you can convince the council that Winter can provide us with actionable intelligence on the demons, then you’ve got nothing.”

“Wesley is still working on figuring out how to guide Winter’s visions,” Logan said quickly.

“Then he’d better work quickly.”

Logan met Manus’s eyes. “Are you saying you’re giving me time to work this out?”

Manus mumbled something to himself. “I should be stabbed for saying this, but you’ve got twenty-four hours to take care of this mess. Either you kill her in that time and come back to the compound, or you go before the council and make your case. Don’t even think about going on the run again. We trained together. I will always find you no matter where you hide.”

Logan extended his hand. “Thank you, brother. I appreciate what you’re doing for me.”

“It had better be worth the risk.” He tossed a look at Winter, then pivoted, marched right through the door and disappeared.