Page 15 of Toward Immortal Ruin

Once he could stop hiding what he was from her, he would teach her how to stop projecting her feelings. Building her a psychic shield for safety would be vital—though he didn’t plan on ever allowing danger around her as long as he drew breath.

“They’ve killed people, Eden,” he warned. “They’re dangerous. They’re—”

“I know, Nero—that’s what so scary about it!” she said. “They’re behind that explosion in New York, and the gas poisoning in Philly. They told me that vampires could melt people’s minds. Nero, I found them through my research, all tangled up with ancient lore that they’re taking literally. I’m an expert in their field, and they thought I’d join them. I said no.”

“Thank the fates for that,” he said.

Across the street, the man she’d pointed out startled and dropped his phone. As he picked it up, he locked eyes with Nero. In the next moment, theCitizensmember was bolting down the street.

The panther within Nero coiled in preparation, ready to give chase, but he was too focused on ensuring Eden’s safety to follow. Her hands trembled where she’d caught hold of him.

“Why did he run?”

“I’m not sure.”

The lie tasted bitter on his tongue. Several months ago, Jeremiah and Zia had found photos of Nero and the other Accords leaders in aCitizens’member’s possession. If this manhad seen them, he would’ve recognized Nero as one of those immortals.

“Nero—I would never normally do this, but … can you come up with me to my apartment? Just to make sure no one is there? After seeing that guy here, I don’t feel safe.”

“Absolutely.”

Eden breathed a sigh of relief, then strode quickly for a door along one side of the building. Nero followed her lead. In an effort to ease her anxiety, he asked, “Any weird roommates I should be on the lookout for? Amontillado casks in the vaults? Giant coffins with mysterious dirt?”

“My only roommate is a gigantic fluffball named Marianne. As a heads up, her preferred method of greeting is a bite.”

She quickly opened the outer door and beckoned him inside. “Second set of locks. Safety and all that.”

As he moved in behind her, he inhaled deeply. Her presence was electrifying to his senses. Though he wasn’t standing too close, the sweet smell of peony on her skin made his mouth water, and a primal need to claim her snaked up his spine. It took all the control he had not to put his nose on her neck and inhale.

Thankfully, the second lock clicked, and Eden quickly saw herself up the stairs. It took away the source of his temptation, and he firmly reminded himself that she was currently fearful about the safety of her apartment—and they’d just met. Despite his panther’s growly commentary, licking a trail up her neck would not be an appropriate way to broach the conversation they’d eventually need to have.

Taking two stairs at a time, he ate up the distance between them, then shadowed her to the third floor where a cat’s meows could already be heard.

“Would you like me to go in first and check the space out? I’ve had special training in identifying signs of break-in, tampering, or installed surveillance.”

She gave him a jerky nod. “Okay.”

Taking her keys from her, Nero unlocked the door and entered the apartment. Every sense he possessed sharpened with the need to protect his mate, and the panther beneath his skin was deadly focused. Once inside, he left no door unopened, and no hiding place uncovered.

Despite Nero’s ability to sense the psychic signature of anyone hiding, theCitizenshad a Raeth in their employ who could shield himself. Nero wouldn’t allow anyone to harm Eden—and most certainly not another Raeth.

Nothing seemed out of place in the small space, but he didn’t hesitate to search the small living area once more before saying, “All clear, Eden.”

She entered the apartment, looking understandably relieved to be off the street and at home. Her cat was lying in wait on the other side of the room. Eden scooped her up in two strides and gave the feline a squeeze.

“Thanks for coming up here with me, Nero. I know it’s a bit on the ridiculous side, but that guy was looking directly at my apartment. And then he took off when he recognized me.”

“It’s not ridiculous at all,” he replied. “I hate that you’re feeling anxious about being here.”

Eden sat down on the couch, still cradling her cat. She looked frightened, and understandably so, and Nero hated it. He sat down beside her, needing to reveal the truth of it and loathing himself for what he’d have to say.

“With what happened here tonight and what happened yesterday,” he began, “Eden, I don’t think it’s a coincidence.”

“Those wolves were rabid, Nero.”

“Yes. And theCitizenscontrol them.” Despite the driving need to keep it secret, Eden needed to know. “They’ve been releasing them in major cities—Chicago is only the latest.”

A punch of despair shot through her, and Nero felt every second of it. “But why isn’t this all over the news? Surely, someone would’ve found out by now.”

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