What she saw in those blue eyes stopped Aria cold. “He was only trying to save Lucas.”
“I know. But he has the ability to wipe the life from this entire realm. Did you know that?”
No. No, she didn’t. Although she’d sensed his power, and as soon as the words left Cara’s lips, Aria acknowledged the truth of it. “What will happen to him?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“I will be there for him.” The words bore the strength of Cara’s conviction. “I have seen into his heart. He is not the monster some claim him to be, but we have a responsibility to keep the realms safe from him.” The Watcher folded warm hands around Aria’s. “I have a friend who has helped me see a possible path forward. I do not believe that you have seen the last of Nikolai. You two share a destiny, methinks, hmm?”
Aria’s heart ached, desperate to know this wasn’t the end, that she would see him again. Cara smiled, and the warmth of it penetrated the pain within her, soothing the jagged edges.
A large form darkened the doorway. Not Legion Dragon tall, but well over six feet, with broad shoulders and bare arms rippling with muscle. His hair was shoulder length and dark, but she noted that it had faint golden streaks within it, and his energy had the duality of a shapeshifter. With his perfect physique, olive skin, and handsome features, he was drop-dead gorgeous.
With her mind on Nikolai, Aria barely noticed. Sabre shifter, she figured. They were the arms and legs of the Cryptid council, charged with defending its secrets. And on virgin worlds like the human realm, there were a lot of secrets to keep.
The Sabre squared up to Cara. “We’re casing the building. So far, only one death other than the two in here—an elderly woman whose heart gave out—but there were several close calls. Can’t speak for the trees on the boulevard or the mice in the walls.” The Sabre’s gaze flitted over Lucas and Aria, and then returned to Cara. “Kade just got here, and he’s spitting nails. He’s working on getting the landlord and authorities convinced it was all due to a gas leak. We’re damned lucky it was confined to this building.” He tilted his head as he regarded the Watcher. “You sure you can contain that guy? Saw him in the hall. That’s one damned scary dude.”
“We’ll be able to save most trees and some mice,” Cara replied. “And yes, the Perditor has given himself into our care. We will take him home.” She gestured to Aria. “Cody, this is Aria. And Lucas. If you three will excuse me, I have to accompany Nikolai.” With the little shrew sitting on her shoulder, she turned away.
Aria panicked—the Watcher was her last link to Nikolai.
“Wait!” she called after her. When Cara glanced back, she added, “How do I find you? I want to know how he is doing.”
The Watcher smiled at her and scooped Mai off her shoulder, before handing her to Aria. “Mai will help us find each other.”
Aria frowned in confusion. “But—”
Cara reached up to place her palm on Aria’s cheek. “You will see him again, Aria. It will be all right.” She smiled, then pulled away and disappeared through the door.
The furry little body was warm in Aria’s hand and the vivid-blue eyes blinked up at her. “But—” she repeated in a whisper.
“She seemed pretty sure Nikolai would be okay.” Lucas moved up beside her. His face was pale, and he didn’t look too steady on his feet. But when she raised a hand to touch his arm, he moved away.
Instead, Aria used the fingers to stroke Mai. “I don’t even know what to feed her.”
“Think Nikolai fed her bugs,” Lucas commented. He looked more closely at the shrew.
Aria rolled her eyes. “More bugs. Great.” When Mai pushed her head against Aria’s fingers, she added, “I hope she’ll appreciate a change in cuisine.”
The big Sabre took a step closer to them. His eyes gleamed copper for just a moment as he stared at Aria. “You’re a Dragon shifter?”
“Your powers of observation are acute,” Aria noted.
Cody simply shrugged as his gaze moved to Lucas.
Lucas put out his hand. “I’m Lucas.”
Aria stared at him. Lucas could barely stand, didn’t want her to touch him, and now he wanted to shake hands?
The big shifter hesitated but took his hand. “I’m Cody.”
Lucas held it for only the briefest of seconds, then he released him as though scorched.
Aria got it at about the same moment that Cody did.
Cody’s brows lowered. “Wait a minute. Are you the Morph?”
Lucas raised his brows. “I amaMorph. I don’t know abouttheMorph.”
The Sabre stared at him with obvious fascination. “Kade told me there was one in this building.”
