Page 27 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

“And your sister?” Riley asked.

“Lexi is competitive.” She smiled. “At least with me. It’s a sibling thing.”

“But she doesn’t compete in karate competitions?” Riley asked.

“She used to, but she was always an avid skier and wanted to compete in that sport until she had a nasty fall. We’re still waiting to see if she will return. She’s teaching again, but competition is another level.”

Riley inhaled the smell of honey blossoms and freshwater. The mountains crested the sky, giving the area a picturesque feel. She expected to see a painter sitting on the corner with an easel attempting to capture its beauty. Her reverie was interrupted when Leah stumbled.

“Are you okay?” Riley asked.

Colton’s eyes roamed over Leah. “Did the demon bite you?”

Leah shook her head. “I’m hypoglycemic. I didn’t get a chance to eat, so it’s probably low blood sugar. I’ll grab something as soon as we get to the hotel.”

They walked in silence until they reached the alley near the homeless shelter. “We can cut through here. Your hotel is on the other side,” Riley said.

“Yeah, I use the shortcut all the time.”

Riley glanced around. “This is the alley where my sister Dannika was attacked. She was working at the homeless shelter.” As they made their way to the blue, rusty dumpster, she wondered if her connection to Leah was due to her similarities to Dannika. While Leah had a loving family, she was a badass fighter with compassion and a quick wit. There is so much to admire about the feisty young woman.

The wind changed, blowing in their face and bringing the smell from the dumpster with it. An acrid rotting odor that had Leah dashing to the opposite building. She put her hand on the wall as she relieved the contents of her stomach.

Riley put her hand on Leah’s back, rubbing gently. “Are you okay?”

Leah stood, wiping the spit from her mouth. “Yeah, the smell was too much. It always reeks here, but the shelter must have served fish last night. Straight up nasty.”

“I think you’re right.”

They had almost reached the end of the alley, and could see a few cars passing on the street. While traffic was light this time of day, the sound of car motors echoed between the buildings. The ladies froze as a black mass formed between them and the street.

Halak smiled as his gnarled black fingers reached for them.

Riley pulled Leah back, out of Halak’s reach. “Colton!”

Colton was on the demon instantly. Black bodies slashed and growled as they circled one another.

Riley hated how exposed they were. Anyone could turn down the alley and witness the supernatural fight. Halak was a soldier demon and strong, but so was Colton and he had proved his demon’s strength was growing. While that wasn’t good in the long run, she would take it now.

Halak backed away from Colton. “Give me the woman.”

Colton growled. “Not going to happen.”

“She is ours.”

Riley grabbed Leah when she moved forward. “I don’t belong to you or anyone else, asshole.”

“She is not going with you, Halak. Fight me or leave,” Colton said.

“Must have her,” Halak said.

Colton’s eyes narrowed on the gnarled demon with spindly legs. “Why? What’s so special about her?”

Halak snarled. “Give her to me now.”

Riley stepped in front of Leah. “Why are you going after descendants of the priestess? Are you trying to kill them?”

Halak’s gaze fell on Riley. Her blood cooled in her veins as his red eyes flickered with interest. “No kill.”

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