Crimson Wind by Diana Pharaoh Francis Page B

Mithra. If Giselle dies, I’ll have to. So I’ll protect the place.”
    “You didn’t have to promise.”
    “It’s motivational. So I don’t forget myself and let everyone die out of spite. Plus, despite current appearances—” His gaze ran over her disparagingly. “You’ve been a decent bet so far.”
    “Let’s hope your luck doesn’t run out, then.”
    He smiled thinly. “Nor yours.”
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    TUTRESIEL WAS GONE, AND MAX HAD JUST FINISHED BUS-ing the last of her dishes when Niko and Tyler returned. They limped in, both looking like they’d had a fight with a tank. Max examined them, her arms crossed.
    “Did you win?” she asked, certain that they had gone after Alexander. They had disappeared when he left Giselle. It was too much of a coincidence not to draw the obvious conclusion.
    Niko grimaced. He had black eyes, and his nose was swollen and crooked. His mouth was pulpy, and his exposed skin was black and blue with hints of healing yellow and green. Tyler looked much the same. They had washed away the blood, and both had damp hair. Tyler held Niko up, the other man’s leg dragging.
    “Nope,” Niko said with surprising good humor. “Got our asses kicked.”
    “A hell of a lot more than our asses.” Tyler groaned as he started them both toward the food tables. “I don’t think I’ve ever been hurt this bad.”
    “Then apparently I have to work you harder,” she said sardonically. “What about Alexander?”
    “Got some hits in on him. Shit, but he’s quick,” Niko said, stuffing a bread roll into his mouth. “And he has a lot of moves I’ve never seen. He’s been holding out on us.”
    “He’s also not stupid,” Max said, torn between laughter and annoyance. “What brought this on?”
    “We wanted to make sure he was going to have your six going to California,” Tyler explained, piling a plate up with one hand while trying to steady Niko. “Wanted to make him promise.”
    Max boggled, fury spinning hot in her gut. “You were going to force him into a promise? For me?”
    “For us. We want you back,” Niko said unrepentantly. “Seemed like a good idea. Next time, I’ll take more Blades to the party.”
    “You’re lucky he didn’t kill you,” Max gritted. “I might still do it. When I get back from California, we’re going to have a serious talk about rules.”
    “If you make it back.” His voice had turned to stone. He shook off Tyler’s help and limped to the table. “Were you going to tell us about it or just sneak off without a word? And are you going to tell us about that wave of magic a minute ago? You promised something. What? To whom?” He glared at her furiously, the humor of a few moments ago gone. His Blade had risen, and his lip curled in a snarl.
    Tyler set his plate down with a sharp click and glared at her, his thumbs hooked in his waistband. “So are you going to tell us? Or are we mushrooms—kept in the dark and piled with shit?”
    Max hesitated. Too many damned secrets. She blew out an annoyed breath. “All right. I didn’t promise anybody anything.”
    Niko frowned. “Then who?”
    “If you must know, Tutresiel promised to guard this place until I get back.”
    Both their jaws dropped. Neither thought much of the angel.
    “He did?” Tyler asked.
    “He did.”
    “Why?”
    “Ask him.”
    She glanced at the door. Thor stood outside, looking like he’d eaten a rotten egg. He caught her look and came in reluctantly. She looked past him.
    “Where’s Alexander?”
    He winced. “He’s in his apartment. Says you know where to find him if you want to see him.”
    Max’s eyes narrowed dangerously, her Prime rising. Her fingers curled into claws. “He said what?”
    “That you know where to find him if you want him.”
    “I see.”
    She glanced at Niko and Tyler. “Have Magpie put a cooler together for the trip, and prep a vehicle for me. Make sure it’s got a full weapons