Roman spent the night following up on leads with where the demon scent had been tracked. Yet, it hadn’t led him to any of those bastards. Frustrating as hell.

A sudden pang struck him, twisting his gut. It was Larissa. She was in pain. Troubled.

He flew to her place. He’d wanted to be there before she woke, so he could watch for any trouble, but had been delayed. When he arrived, her car was gone.

Fuck!

She hadn’t gone to the hospital. He’d just left there. Still, he notified Arto.

Let me know immediately if Larissa shows up there, he commanded.

Did something happen to her?

Roman gritted his teeth. If it had, he’d been too late to prevent it. No. But, after yesterday, I’m not taking any chances.

The other place to search was at her grandmother’s. Shit, what did he do now? He didn’t want to leave Boston. Yet, he couldn’t leave Larissa, especially after yesterday. Not with the demon threat escalating.

He flew out west to her grandmother’s house. When he saw the lights of emergency vehicles out front and Larissa’s car there, his heart thundered.

What had she done?

He descended, taking cover in a neighbor’s yard. The emergency personnel wouldn’t spot him, but Larissa would.

Humans milled in and out. An old woman had been killed. It had to be Larissa’s grandmother.

Roman’s chest tightened, and he placed his hand over his heart. What about Larissa? Was she all right? While remaining at a distance, he found an angle where he could peek in. He could only do so briefly, or else she’d spot him and know he’d been following her.

He spotted her through a window, speaking to an officer.

His fists trembled as conflicting emotions tore through him. Relief that she was safe was swept away by fury.

Had she done this?

She was being questioned at a crime scene and had recently been affected by dark magic. The unwanted, dark thought slithered through his mind as she became the prime suspect. He didn’t want to think of his mate that way, but if she posed a danger to others, he’d have to intervene.

The demon’s magic could have infected her somehow, like a virus. Or, worse, had it found a way to possess and control her through the darkness that had leeched into her?

He slid back into the cover of the bushes and waited for the humans to leave. When they did, he’d confront her.

Only she left before they did. Where the hell was she going? And why were they letting her leave?

Fuck!

She walked out with a man with gray hair, holding three cat carriers between them. They walked over to a black SUV and loaded the carriers in the back.

“Thanks, Dad,” she said. “Don’t worry. It’s only temporary. I’ll find a place for them.”

“No, you don’t worry about it, Larissa. Taking care of three furballs for a bit is hardly an issue in the scheme of things.”

Her father climbed in the car. Larissa shuffled her feet before the open window. “I’m sorry I freaked out at the hospital. Shock and anger, you know?”

“I know. And you have nothing to apologize for. You were right, and I deserved it.” He raised his hand. “Are we good?”

She smiled and took his hand. “We’re good.”

“Get some sleep tonight. I know how you can get. Do something relaxing before bed.”

“Maybe I’ll take a hot bath or something.”

“Worth a shot,” he said. “Call me if you need anything.” He put the car into drive and pulled away.

Larissa headed to her car and drove east. He ascended into the sky again and followed her car as she drove. Instead of heading to Boston, she headed through Concord. What was she up to? Although she appeared to be acting normal again, he couldn’t let down his guard.

When she parked near Walden Pond, his already alert senses went haywire with speculation—especially, when she avoided the public beach and headed into the trail through the woods while carrying a towel. Her actions were bizarre.

Damn, the dense summer foliage provided too much coverage. He couldn’t pursue her from the air. He landed and shifted back to human form, following at a safe distance down the path he’d last seen her on. A step on a twig or startling nearby birds would signal to her that she wasn’t alone.

He tracked her scent. Wearing that herbal mix, that was as wild and earthy as the forest itself. It drew him to her, calling him like a siren. He struggled to stick to his intention.

The sun had begun to set. With the thick canopy of foliage above, it made the forest appear darker than its surroundings, prodding his alert to an even higher level of wariness. He’d spent many years patrolling cities. Forests emitted a gloomy foreboding at night with its mysterious chirps and creaks. He didn’t like it.

A break in the trees appeared in the distance. The setting sun glimmered on the pond.

Larissa strode toward the water. She found a secluded spot and began to strip.

What the...?

She strode toward the water in nothing but her bra and panties.

And her necklace.

Her owl pendant caught the light of the setting sun, shining as if it were a magnificent jewel rather than a piece of silver jewelry.

The beast in him responded to the sight of her in black lingerie. His soul reached out for his mate.

He stomped on the yearning. It wouldn’t help him do his duty.

What the hell was she doing? Some sort of magic she’d learned from her grandmother?

Larissa entered the pond and submerged herself beneath the water. When she broke through the surface several dozen feet later, she turned into a forward stroke.

She was swimming?

Roman watched her for several minutes. Why was she doing this? Who went for a swim after a loved one was found dead?

Perhaps it was a way of washing away her sins.

He grunted. Enough wasting time speculating. He had to get back into Boston.

When she swam toward the shore, he stepped out from the woods.

She spotted him, and her eyes widened. “Roman. What are you doing here?” Her voice came out a bit breathless.

Although his soul longed to go to her, he had to remain detached. “What did you do to her?”

She recoiled, standing in the water. “To who—Nana? Why would you think it was me?”

The pain in her eyes affected him, as surely as if he’d been punched.

He struggled to remain in control. “You’ve been tainted by their darkness. I saw it. I experienced it.”

She strode out of the pond with her arms swinging wide. “That doesn’t mean I killed my own grandmother!”

“But someone did.”

“Yes, Sherlock, someone did,” she snapped. “And that’s what I’d like to figure out.”

He watched, trying not to leer as the drops of water rolled off her. He raised his brows. “By swimming?”

“No.” She wrung her hair out. “My grandmother told me to head to the water to better work with my magic before trying with Janie again. And, I was hoping—that by coming here—maybe I’d be able to get a sense of what happened.” After she picked up her towel, she vigorously dried herself.

Roman tilted his head. “Do you?”

“No.” She grimaced. “But, it did seem to help calm me—especially as I was a raging mess after I found her.” She pulled on her jeans, struggling against the dampness of her body.

“You found her?”

“Yes, echo, I did.”

“Enough with the sarcasm, Larissa,” he snapped. “I’ve already wasted enough time following you around when I should be back with my sentries. I don’t need to lose more dealing with your attitude.”

She pulled her shirt over her head and planted her hands on her hips. “You followed me.”

“Of course, I did.”

“A waste of time,” she repeated. Her lips curled with revulsion. “And to think I was going to apologize for everything I said to you. I’ve been drowning in regret since it happened. I’d planned on calling you when I got home.”

On hearing her words, his internal armor fell. She was hurting, and it pained him to see. He took a step closer to her. “I’m sorry about your grandmother.”

The anger vanished from her face. She took a few deep breaths.

“She told me I might have an affinity to fire and water. And to head to water when I need to extinguish the flames. That was one of the last things she said to me. I’m trying to do what I can with what little I know.” Her expression turned crestfallen. “Because she’s gone, Roman. I’ll never be able to talk to her again.”

She appeared to crumble, and Roman rushed over to catch her, lest she collapse. He wrapped his arms around her and murmured soothing words. She broke into sobs against his chest. He brushed his hand over her wet hair. She smelled like the pond, clean and natural. The last time he’d seen her, she’d been like a waking volcano, compact with energy and on the verge of erupting. But, now she softened, melting into his embrace.

He rubbed her wet hair and breathed in her scent, grateful to have her back in his arms once again after fearing she’d severed their ties for good. His mate was hurting, and he’d do anything to take away her pain.

But, what could he do? He couldn’t bring her grandmother back.

“Come on, Larissa. Let’s get you home and into some dry clothes.”

She pulled her head from his chest and stared at him, eyes gleaming with tears. “You were right about the dark magic in me. I’m so sorry about what I said to you. I didn’t mean any of it. It’s unforgivable, and I hate myself for it.”

He cupped her cheeks. “It wasn’t your doing. Don’t blame yourself for what they did.”

Her eyes turned hopeful. “Can you forgive me?”

“Larissa, I could see that the darkness was manipulating you and your thoughts. I’d felt it when I tried to help Janie, but didn’t get as far as you did.”

She nodded, but didn’t seem convinced. Guilt would likely haunt her for some time to come.

In a softer voice, he asked, “What exactly happened to your grandmother?”

“I don’t know.” Her voice trembled. “I found her like that, dead on the floor. She looked like she’d been stabbed. They didn’t find a knife yet, as far as I know. At first, I was paranoid thinking a demon may have gotten to her, but it doesn’t make sense. There’s no reason a demon would come all the way out here to target my grandmother, specifically. It’s more likely that it was a drug addict looking for money. We’ve responded to far too many calls like that this year.”

Gods, he hoped it was just some sick human.

“Where exactly was the wound?”

She tilted her head as she appraised him. “Right in the center of her chest. Why?”

Possibilities took shape in his mind, the concepts too horrid to consider. Yet, he had to.

“Larissa, as terrible as it sounds, I hope it’s what you think...”

She arched a brow. “Because?”

“Because the alternative is worse.”

She clutched her necklace. “Fuck. I wasn’t being paranoid, was I? You think it was a demon?”

He nodded slightly in assent. “We’ve tracked their scent to more locations in the city. Fresh tracks.”

“Oh my God! Where?”

He rubbed the back of his neck. Shit, he dreaded revealing what came next. “One was near the portal again. The other was in Longwood.”

Her eyes bulged. “Near Janie?”

“Arto is in the hospital, guarding her.

She turned and headed onto the trail through Walden Woods. “We have to get back there.” She broke into a jog, cracking twigs and sending pine cones and needles flying as she powered over the path.

He followed her over the forest trails, just as eager to get back to Boston.

“No.” She covered her mouth and looked over her shoulder. “It must have followed me to get to my grandmother.” She’d stopped running, but still accelerated at a brisk pace between the trees. “Why else would it target her of all people? She didn’t have any recent encounters with demons—but I did.”

That was a possibility, yet she couldn’t take on the blame for a demon’s violence.

Her face blanched. “It’s my fault that she’s dead.”

“Stop that, Larissa. You’re talking about immortal beings with twisted magic. They have no conscience, and they will destroy anything to sate their insatiable lust.”

“But, if I’d never gone to her...” she said in a small voice.

“You’re playing the ‘what if’ game, and that doesn’t change anything,” he said. “You don’t know the cause and are not responsible for what happened. Think about what you’d do as a police officer when talking to a victim of a crime. Would you place the blame on him or her?”

“No, but—”

“Exactly. You cannot take this upon yourself. I won’t let you.” The urge to take her in his arms again and kiss away her distress came over him. He yearned to love her and distract her from all the darkness she’d encountered. But for now, he had to focus on keeping her safe. If a demon had tracked her to her grandmother’s, there was a reason behind it.

“I’m not leaving your side until this is over,” he swore.

She peered at him with an inquisitive gaze. “Roman, is there something you’re not telling me?”

“Whatever reason the demon had in attacking your grandmother is a mystery. But, she’s connected to you, and she was a witch.”

“And she was teaching me how to work with magic,” Larissa added.

As they broke out of the fringe of the forest, they exchanged a look.

“Maybe it doesn’t want you to learn. You’ve defeated them once. They don’t want to risk you getting any stronger.”

Her face contorted with fear, but then she broke into a nervous laugh. “No, this is crazy. I thought I sounded paranoid earlier. But, this can’t be real.”

He took her shoulders. “It’s real and it’s serious, Larissa. But, I’m not going to let any of them get to you.” The image of a demon touching his mate with its foul fingers instilled a crimson rage in him. He’d tear the bastard to pieces and stomp on the body parts before he’d ever let that happen. “And I don’t care if you curse me to the heavens, beat me with your fists, or claw me to shreds declaring your hate, I’m going to be by your side. You can push me away, infected by their darkness, a thousand times. But, I am a gargoyle, and you are my mate. I will never stop protecting you.”

She blinked twice, gaping at him with her mouth open. “I don’t deserve you.” She wrapped her arms around him and ran her fingers through his hair.

With her body pressed against his, he wanted to linger there where it was just the two of them for a moment in time. No demons, no threats. Just a peaceful haven from the darkness in the city.

After she pulled away from him, he said, “I’ll send a sentry to your grandmother’s to search for demonic activity. We’ll go to Janie.”

“Right.” She strode to her car.

“No, Larissa. Too slow with the city traffic.”

She gave him a questioning look.

“Leave your car here. We’ll get it later.”

“How are we going to get there then?”

Roman glanced to the setting sun. “We fly.”