should have mentioned that part, but I'm certain the Angels teach that. Except she might not have been allowed in those classes because of her father.
While I pondered how to respond, I watched the trio as they chatted with the black-haired, stocky Tech, laughing and gesturing like old friends. Since they were fine, I focused on the one of us who wasn't.
“Well, yes, and no. If we utilize the portal, it's much more pleasant than if we don't.” I lowered my voice to a murmur as I leaned over and added, “And sometimes, we can't.”
Her head jerked up, slamming into my chin and sending a blossoming pain through my face. I pushed my hood back, using that as an excuse to check the suddenly cold area for blood but detected nothing. While I gritted my teeth, her hand slapped on the top of her head, rubbing it. Much slower and far more carefully, she glanced up.
“Sorry. I just—” Her eyes found the trio, and she must have noticed how close we were getting because the next part rushed out of her so swiftly that I almost couldn't understand the words. “It can get worse? How?”
“Oh, well. Hmm. Just think of it as more intense. It's not easily explainable. You survive, though.” I hate to consider how she would react to using Con's portal when it has a fuse out. Or even just travel locating. She is definitely with the wrong bunch.
“That doesn't make me feel better.”
I shrugged because I hadn't intended it to. There really wasn't a pleasant way to spin how badly it hurt.
“Let's go get this over with. Then a nap, and we have to do it all over again.” I tugged on a groaning Grace, hurrying her along until we met the gossiping group of males.
We arrived just in time to hear the Tech say, “And then she poured a mug of lantis over his head.”
The trio roared with laughter, and the Tech leaned back, sticking his hands in his pocket as a pleased smile stretched across his face. He was the first to notice we'd reached them, and the instant he did, he thrust his shoulders back and puffed out his chest. A twinkle entered his eye—one I'd seen many times before.
I sighed. “I'm already fucking those three. I do not need more.”
He jerked slightly, his gaze dipping to the poor Angel beside me.
I pulled her against me a little tighter and glared at him. He must have felt my intentions because our eyes met once again. A bluish sheen rippled across his skin, appearing like scales. That clued me in as to why his eye color wasn't the usual black. It seemed that he had at least a bit of siren in him. His voice could make others do things they usually wouldn't, and I instantly disliked him.
He took a step, bringing him closer while also moving his face out of the trio's view. A smirk appeared on his lips, and he eyed Grace once more. I reached out and began calling his soul to me. It came so easily, peeling away from the anchor at the top of his head. The Tech winced, his jaw set, and his hands became fists.
I ripped a little more before releasing it and pouring cheer into my next words. “Who's your friend?”
Axton walked around him, coming to my side as the Tech rearranged his face into a neutral expression. “Master Zella Healani, Master of Masters, Head of the Office of the Ministry of Investigations, Earth Branch, meet Technician Pax Warrow, an old coworker of ours.”
Pax bowed, but it felt more mocking than respectful. Shadow seemed to agree as she urged me to turn him into an ice stick.
“Wonderful,” I drawled, causing Kian's eyebrow to rise.
Well, that must have failed at being convincing. Shadow sent her feeling of agreement through me, and I bit my cheek to keep from laughing. Pot licker.
“Time to get started. We'll see you in a while, Pax. It's going to be a busy shift.” Axton placed his hand on my lower back, applying light pressure when I remained in place.
“Yes, I'm sure we will get to know each other very well,” I said, finishing with a toothy, too-wide grin.
Kian—already holding the door open—called, “Let me show you around.”
I nodded, keeping my gaze on the Tech that didn't have enough sense to look away.
As Axton pulled me along, he leaned over, whispering, “What was that?”
In a voice that was decidedly not a whisper, I answered