a second before turning to Fionn. “She’s fucking perfect for you.”
“Bran.”
“Okay, okay.” The vampire sat up, resting his elbows on his knees as he leaned toward her. “The Blackwoods have sent out a team to find Layton and his sisters. Word is, they think Niamh might have something to do with it since she was who Nate sent them out after.”
“Shit.” Rose threw Fionn an anxious look.
His expression softened on her and she felt his hand slip through her hair to rest on her nape. He gave it a reassuring squeeze.
“As for Niamh, there’s a possibility I might have found her.”
Rose tore her gaze from Fionn’s handsome face to Bran’s. “What?”
He nodded, his expression somber. “There was an early snowstorm in Vienna. A bus driver lost control of his vehicle. It was heading for a group of pedestrians, most of whom claim that a young woman with long, blond hair stepped in front of the bus and pushed it away. With her hands.”
Fionn cursed under his breath. “She’s being careless, acting like fucking Superwoman. It was that exact thing that nearly got Thea caught.”
Melancholy swept through Rose. “Try to understand, Fionn. She couldn’t save Ronan.”
“So she’s trying to save the world?” Bran huffed. “The Blackwoods will hear of this, Rose, and they’ll come after her. If they think she’s to blame for the deaths of Layton and his sisters, they won’t make things pretty. They won’t kill her but they could do other things.”
She looked at her wrists, which her long sleeves thankfully covered. But she was scarred forever. “Believe me, I understand what they could do to her.” She turned to Fionn. “We have to go to her.”
To her shock, Fionn shook his head. “I want her safe too, Rose. I know you had these grand plans to tag along with Niamh and find the other fae-borne, but it’s not safe. For any of you. I found you by following Niamh. If you were captured in each other’s company, the gate would be in serious danger. It’s safer for you all to be apart.”
Indignation burned through her. “But what about Niamh? She’s alone now. I know she probably protected Ronan more than he could ever protect her, but—”
Fionn squeezed her nape again, hushing her. “Do you think I’d leave her out there alone?”
“What will you do?”
“Yes, what will you do?” Bran asked.
Her mate let go of a slow exhalation. “I’ll send someone I can trust to guard her. Someone almost as powerful as us.”
Who could be almost as powerful as them? “Uh, and that would be?”
“Oh, you’re not thinking what you’re thinking,” Bran said incredulously. “He’s the coldest bastard I ever did meet.”
Fionn scowled. “He’s also the only immortal werewolf in existence. And his protection can be bought, for the right price.”
“I suppose.”
“Anyone want to fill me in? There’s an immortal werewolf out there? How does that work?” Rose was stunned. There was still so much to learn!
“You’ve met him,” Fionn told her.
When had she met an immortal—
“Oh my God.” She gaped at Fionn. “You want to send Kiyo to guard Niamh?”
“He’s the only one I trust to do it.”
“But for how long? I mean, this gig is kind of an ongoing thing.”
Fionn sighed. “I don’t know, Rose. Until he discerns Niamh is stable and not going to lead the Blackwoods or the Garm straight to her. That also involves getting her to give up trying to find the other fae-borne. Which means entrusting the wolf with the truth.”
Somehow, she didn’t think even intimidating, brooding Kiyo would talk Niamh out of her personal mission.
In the wee hours of the morning, Rose walked at Fionn’s side, her small hand held tightly in his.
When they first met, Rose would never have pegged Fionn for the touchy-feely type. Yet, since her kidnapping days before, Fionn had stuck to her side like glue, touching her whenever the opportunity presented itself.
The cobbles of Fleet Street were almost empty of other people as they strolled through the Temple Bar district toward their hotel. They’d left An Caomhnóir because Rose preferred to be on the move, and Fionn wanted to give Rose whatever she needed.
Staying in one place gave her time to dwell on what had happened in that basement. She knew it would haunt her. It already was. But she also knew the one person who could help her find a way to deal with it was holding her hand. When she’d suggested they visit Bran, rather than get an update by phone, Fionn had