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“My brother. He told me not to leave the penthouse, but I snuck out, and Alys convinced the security that her invitation’s plus-one meant a plus-two for me.”
Alexei’s control on his rage slipped a fraction, and he wrestled it back under supreme hold before it might scare her. The guests? He didn’t care about them. But Joelle? She mattered. “Why didn’t your brother want you coming here tonight?” He needed to know thewhy, the motive behind the means.
“He doesn’t think it’s safe, but I’m tired of being locked in one place or another. I have plans, but I can’t do anything from behind closed doors and warded protections.”
“What kind of plans?” He couldn’t wait to hear about them unless she’d decided to return to the other angels on whatever plane of existence they might call home.
“Finding my real family, discovering where we come from, and stopping Noxx and her Order.”
“Who’s we?” He wouldn’t be jealous she thought of someone else as part of awe.
She gestured between the two of them, and just like that, he felt caught in whatever net she’d cast. “Weas in supernaturals.” The last she said in a hushed whisper. “If we didn’t take the same turn on the evolutionary path as the humans did, where was the divergence?”
His life’s work other than his family’s rule had been seeking answers to the same question. He and Alys had been so close to pinpointing the missing information when the witch’s Senate had stolen his sister. She’d paid the price for his insatiable curiosity. He couldn’t let Joelle do the same. “Alys and I tried. It’s too dangerous.”
Instead of withdrawing or even arguing, she gave a bitter half-laugh. “You saw what the Order did to me. I can handle danger better when I’m not chained down.”
Alexei swallowed a growl. “Not helping prove your point, angel. They kidnapped Alys when she searched for those answers, and she’s a pain-bringer. You’re a healer.”
“I’m a healer who had access to the Order’s archives and information.” The spotlights swung to the stage, and the productions assistants who’d been identified as “crowd wranglers” led everyone in applause. Joelle moved close to his side, keeping him between her and her brother. “The Order believes that the truth of our origins will come from science and technology, the only gods that they worship, but I’m wondering if we need magic as well for real answers.”
“You won’t leave it be?” He’d been surrounded by stubborn females his entire life. Why would she be any different? Still, he needed to know before he took his sudden insane idea any further.
“Not a chance, but I’ll need to convince Josh to let me out of the house without immortal bodyguards first.”
For once, he agreed with her brother. She deserved protection especially after the torment she’d suffered, but he didn’t want her to feel trapped again either. “What if Alys and I agreed to include you in our research?”
She eyed him suspiciously. “Locked away in some dusty library reviewing creation myths told to children? Or boring not-so-scientific research about how we’re creations of evil?”
He fought a laugh because sequestering her in his archived article collection had been his initial thought. “We concentrate on lab work with some document research.”
“What would you ask from me in exchange for being allowed to work with you?” She didn’t seem suspicious. No, she made a proposed bargain between them sound playful.
“I’ll share if you promise to do the same.” What insanity had gripped him? He shouldn’t be angling to see her more often. No, heshouldencourage her to stay far away. With his illegal activities necessary as a demon prince, he didn’t want or need a mate. He couldn’t bring her into his world.
“I would have to convince Josh.” Uncertainty and dread laced her tone.
He glanced toward the witches. His angel had been spotted. “Your dragon of a brother is heading this way.”
“Oh no.” Her groan held baby-sister guilt rather than any real worry. “Every second of my escape has been worth it.” She made it sound as though they’d been conspirators in some adventure, and damn, he liked it.
The dragon stormed toward them. “What are you doing here?” He stared at Joelle as if he could wish her back to the locked penthouse. “You can’t be out without a guard.”
“I have a guard,” she snapped.
“Yeah? Who?” The fighter looked ready for a brawl with anyone but his little sister.
“Alexei.” She took his arm, tucking herself into his side. Her soft curves felt so good pressed against him. He wanted to keep her there for as long as she might stay. His demon nature demanded hehold her,claim her, lock her away to protect her, but his human side knew that would make him no better than everyone else in her life. Besides, she was too good for him. He couldn’t keep her.
Josh reached for her.
“Don’t.” Alexei wrapped his arm around her shoulders, anchoring her. He wouldn’t let anyone take her from him. Not even her brother. “The show has started. Let her stay until it’s finished unless you want to convince your w…” He bit off the wordwitch. “Your woman to leave before the Witch’s Bane concert.”
The man looked torn. Balancing politics, family, and mates could do that to anyone. “You won’t leave her?”
“Not for anything.” He meant the promise. While he wouldn’t weigh her down with the knowledge that his demon instinct recognized her as a mate, he would stay at her side until she pushed him away.
“I’ll hold you to it.” With a glance at Joelle, her brother said, “Come get me if you need anything, okay?”
