mouth as heated memories stirred butterflies in her belly.
She also would never forget how quickly things had spun out of control. Her mad dash out of the training room sobered her thoughts, and her eyes returned to the dark luster of the oak floor. His skillful touch had driven her crazy with unexpected need, making her forget his condescending words and attitude. Thank goodness she stopped him before they went any further.
Then he showed up last night and saved her life. And let her win the argument over where they would spend the night. Strong enough to sling her over his shoulder and haul her anywhere he wanted, he had acquiesced and carried her to her own home. She would never forget the safe haven of his arms.
An unsettled feeling shot through her, followed by shoulder-sagging guilt. She barely knew him. He saved her life. Had she completely misjudged him? But he’s so rude …
“You should get some rest, Brooke.” Kai’s words interrupted her thoughts.
She nodded. I can do this . It’s not like they’d be sitting around. Rilan had specific tasks for her. Nicole huffed out an irritated breath next to her and Brooke grabbed her hand. “Come upstairs with me.”
“Why can’t they just fly you to a desert on Earth to practice in a dry area?” Nicole muttered as they climbed the steps to the second floor.
“I’ll be fine. Kai saved my life last night. You should have seen him.”
“I know.” Nicole’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m so grateful to him. But I worry about you.”
“I won’t have to stay inside the yard. Who knows what I’ll be able to try?”
Nicole smiled. “Yeah, that was one great thing about Torth. I could do things there that I never could have done here.”
“And it sounds like no one will be around us.”
“That makes me feel better,” Nicole said. “I wish we could go with you, but I know sending more than two people attracts attention.”
They reached the top step and turned down the darkly paneled hallway. Sconces along the walls gave a dim glow to the space, mostly for decoration. The demons could see just fine without them.
They stopped outside Brooke’s door and Nicole pulled her into a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She stepped back and searched Brooke’s face. “Don’t let Kai pull any of that rude crap with you.”
Brooke nodded. “Like I said, I can handle one grumpy, overgrown demon.” His attitude, sure. But his kisses? If she wasn’t careful, they’d crush her with sensual, devastating precision.
Morning dawned with ragged clouds obscuring the sun, a sharp wind chasing them across the gray sky. Brooke stood in the backyard with Nicole and the others, watching raptly as Rilan muttered some words in demonish and a giant shimmering ring appeared. Iridescent and waving in the air, it hovered a foot off the ground.
Wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and hiking boots, she slung her backpack on. Even though this would be a short trip, she felt better having some basic provisions. Her ubiquitous water bottle, for one, as well as a few sandwiches, and a dagger that the men insisted she carry.
Kai carried weapons, as well. No firearms, because bullet holes mended so quickly among the fast-healing immortal species. She knew he had a knife in each boot, one strapped to his arm and one tucked into the thigh pocket of his black tactical pants. He completed a check of his blades, ending with the leather sheath at his arm, thick biceps straining against the short sleeves of his black T-shirt.
She turned to give her sister one final hug, and Nicole squeezed her shoulders with surprising strength.
“Now I know how you felt,” Nicole murmured.
Brooke smiled. Watching Nicole step into the portal a few weeks ago had been upsetting, even though she traveled with Gunnar.
“I’ll be fine.” Brooke nodded her head at Kai.
Nicole released her and Brooke walked over to face him. They had all told her that travel via portal felt like
She also would never forget how quickly things had spun out of control. Her mad dash out of the training room sobered her thoughts, and her eyes returned to the dark luster of the oak floor. His skillful touch had driven her crazy with unexpected need, making her forget his condescending words and attitude. Thank goodness she stopped him before they went any further.
Then he showed up last night and saved her life. And let her win the argument over where they would spend the night. Strong enough to sling her over his shoulder and haul her anywhere he wanted, he had acquiesced and carried her to her own home. She would never forget the safe haven of his arms.
An unsettled feeling shot through her, followed by shoulder-sagging guilt. She barely knew him. He saved her life. Had she completely misjudged him? But he’s so rude …
“You should get some rest, Brooke.” Kai’s words interrupted her thoughts.
She nodded. I can do this . It’s not like they’d be sitting around. Rilan had specific tasks for her. Nicole huffed out an irritated breath next to her and Brooke grabbed her hand. “Come upstairs with me.”
“Why can’t they just fly you to a desert on Earth to practice in a dry area?” Nicole muttered as they climbed the steps to the second floor.
“I’ll be fine. Kai saved my life last night. You should have seen him.”
“I know.” Nicole’s voice dropped to a whisper. “I’m so grateful to him. But I worry about you.”
“I won’t have to stay inside the yard. Who knows what I’ll be able to try?”
Nicole smiled. “Yeah, that was one great thing about Torth. I could do things there that I never could have done here.”
“And it sounds like no one will be around us.”
“That makes me feel better,” Nicole said. “I wish we could go with you, but I know sending more than two people attracts attention.”
They reached the top step and turned down the darkly paneled hallway. Sconces along the walls gave a dim glow to the space, mostly for decoration. The demons could see just fine without them.
They stopped outside Brooke’s door and Nicole pulled her into a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.” She stepped back and searched Brooke’s face. “Don’t let Kai pull any of that rude crap with you.”
Brooke nodded. “Like I said, I can handle one grumpy, overgrown demon.” His attitude, sure. But his kisses? If she wasn’t careful, they’d crush her with sensual, devastating precision.
Morning dawned with ragged clouds obscuring the sun, a sharp wind chasing them across the gray sky. Brooke stood in the backyard with Nicole and the others, watching raptly as Rilan muttered some words in demonish and a giant shimmering ring appeared. Iridescent and waving in the air, it hovered a foot off the ground.
Wearing a black T-shirt, jeans, and hiking boots, she slung her backpack on. Even though this would be a short trip, she felt better having some basic provisions. Her ubiquitous water bottle, for one, as well as a few sandwiches, and a dagger that the men insisted she carry.
Kai carried weapons, as well. No firearms, because bullet holes mended so quickly among the fast-healing immortal species. She knew he had a knife in each boot, one strapped to his arm and one tucked into the thigh pocket of his black tactical pants. He completed a check of his blades, ending with the leather sheath at his arm, thick biceps straining against the short sleeves of his black T-shirt.
She turned to give her sister one final hug, and Nicole squeezed her shoulders with surprising strength.
“Now I know how you felt,” Nicole murmured.
Brooke smiled. Watching Nicole step into the portal a few weeks ago had been upsetting, even though she traveled with Gunnar.
“I’ll be fine.” Brooke nodded her head at Kai.
Nicole released her and Brooke walked over to face him. They had all told her that travel via portal felt like
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