blowing it up bigger than it was. I’d been missing Shaz for weeks now, fearing that he would never come back. This hurt.
“He asked me not to tell you. He knew if he called you, he wouldn’t be able to stay away. It’s killing him not to be here with you, but he’s feeling better now. The urges, the need for a fix, it’s not consuming him anymore.”
My shoulders slumped and I sighed. “That’s good. I’m happy to hear that. I’m just feeling sorry for myself. And, it irks me when you guys talk about me. It’s stupid, I know.”
I felt remorseful. I couldn’t begrudge Shaz the time and space he needed. I owed him the same understanding he’d shown me so many times.
“You don’t want us fighting, but you don’t want us talking.” Arys forced a dramatic sigh. “Make up your mind, woman.”
I smiled, a painfully tight action. “Yeah. Good luck with that.”
Knowing Shaz was doing well would go a long way in helping me sleep easier. It didn’t erase the irritation I felt toward Arys for hiding the information. He knew how desperately I’d been missing my wolf mate. He’d had the ability to ease my mind, but he chose not to.
My phone rang before I could further vent my frustration. The fast-paced strains of “Gangnam Style” filled the room, and I flipped Arys the bird. He made no attempt to hide his glee. The bastard was always changing my ringtone to the most ridiculous songs. He’d do anything to embarrass or annoy me.
It was Brogan, not entirely unexpected but possibly worrisome.
“Brogan, hey,” I answered. “Everything ok?”
“Fine. I didn’t wake you, did I? I wasn’t sure if you’d be asleep or not.”
“Nope. Not yet. What’s up?”
Her voice was tight, pitched a little higher than normal. “Gabriel’s mother called. She said he never came home last night. I’m worried about him.”
“Shit,” I cursed. “Any idea where he may be?”
“At the moment? No. But, I know his buddy’s band is playing a gig tonight at The Spirit Room. I think there’s a good chance he’ll be there.” There was hesitation on the line. “Would you mind coming with me to check it out? I know you have more pressing things to deal with. No worries if you can’t make it.”
I didn’t have to consider it for long. Gabriel was practically a kid but a powerful one. Shya wanted him; therefore, I wanted to make sure Shya never got him. Plus, I still had to put the squeeze on Gabriel myself. He had a vision when he touched me, and I damn well wanted to know what it was.
“I can make it. No problem. What time should I meet you there?”
When I hung up, Arys was giving me the look that meant he was going to shadow me all night while ridiculing my decision.
“Don’t start with me, Arys.” I held up a hand, cutting him off before he could speak the words that accompanied the look.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” The look he shot me oozed the sarcasm his tone did not convey. “Just be careful, ok? I know you want to save the kid, but don’t forget you need some saving yourself.”
I laughed scathingly; I wasn’t willingly playing the victim. Between Lilah’s sick attempt to force my hand and Kale’s blatant abuse, I was done with it.
“Wrong. Maybe it’s time for everybody else to need a little saving from me,” I snarled, angry with no one in particular but angry just the same. “I’m sick of pretending I’m not one of the monsters. Maybe it’s time to start acting like one.”
A frown blended with a scowl to adorn Arys’s face in a dark expression. “Careful what you say, love. We both know you don’t mean that.”
“Like hell I don’t.”
Arys left the table, coming to pull me into his arms. I tensed at first out of sheer stubbornness, but I could never resist him. Sinking into the comfort of his embrace, I sought something deeper, something permanent. There was no such thing. We lived moment to moment, and I had to be grateful for that. I was, but looking ahead, fearing what had yet to come and might never come, it was breaking me down. I would face Lilah when the time was right. Until then I intended to protect people like Gabriel from the demons and the FPA.
“Come on,” he guided me toward the stairs. “Let’s go to bed. You need to sleep once in a while.”
“You go ahead.” I