Keep hersafe.
This would help him keep that promise.
His lips brushed her sensitive ones, and a small gasp of need staggered at the back of her throat.
So he kissed her, hard.
His hand fisted into her hair as his tongue and teeth ravished her. Every iota of desire she’d smothered roared to life. She near choked on the pleasure, all those sensitive places newly desperate for his hands.
It was brief, too brief. And, panting, he released her.
Her legs barely kept her upright, her body trembling like live flame.
‘Run,’ Kyan snarled against her mouth, his lips moving her own.
He dragged the mask down to cover the rest of his face.
Gone was the lush mouth and familiar features.
Gone was her Kyan.
In his place: the Wake’s loyal hunter.
But she knew the truth. He would fight with everything he was, for her. Which meant she had to play along. Because if she didn’t, the Wake could figure out his deception.
‘Run,mo ghrá,’ Kyan said roughly. ‘Don’t let me catch you.’
Make it look real, was what he meant.
Because the Wake would be watching.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Nicole
NICOLE HAD WONDERED ALL THOSE MONTHSAGO WHENshe’d first met Kyan, what it would be like if he ever had to run after her.
She hadn’t expected herself to be near intoxicated with adrenaline, gratitude, and desire when he did.
He didn’t hold back. He’d warned her he wouldn’t. Couldn’t, to keep them both safe. And when he almost caught her a few times, the snatch of the hem of her dress and the brush of his fingers had her reciting that core rule of her mother’s.
What do you do if an Empyreal finds you?
Yourun.
Yet, even having kicked off her heels, grabbing one as a makeshift weapon, then racing through the night with Kyan chasing her, Nicole feltalive. She allowed her senses free rein and her body to take her, allowing her true speed to be unleashed, because the Wakeknew. They knew, and she had to run like she fucking meant it.
But beyond that exhilaration, there was a lash of fear. To be so exposed, to feel so triggered. Her only saving grace was that it was Kyan chasing her.
They planned to run right past where the Wake could see. Kyan had explained that in certain supernatural hotspots in the city, the Wake had cameras set up that were attuned to supernaturals.
Most creatures knew what an Empyreal’s black tactical gear meant – they were on a hunt, and were not to be disturbed. The gear alsohad a varnish in the weave that deflected human attention, which meant they wouldn’t even glance unless they were interacted with. Usually, the chasing Empyreal Influenced their appearance enough that no one would stop them. Creatures would think Nicole was dangerous, a killer maybe. She supposed they were right. She still had the death of the Wight on her hands, but she didn’t, couldn’t, regret it. That death had saved countless people.
It still set all her fears blazing as they raced past a few supernaturals.
Now came the tricky moment. The part that would buy them the most credibility.
The part when he caught her, and she gotaway.
