She’d pissed him off, and he’d taken the bait. He’d let her get to him.

A part of him berated himself for walking away.

His lion tossed his head. His animal had wanted to stay and soothe her, reassure her that her dragon just needed a little more time to heal. She’d made it clear she didn’t need him. Yet he couldn’t stop thinking about her.

His lion urged him to go to her. He didn’t pay any heed.

For too long he’d let his animal take over. It was time to rein in the beast.

Cain’s feet pounded into the sand, the impact vibrating up his legs. The sea breeze flowed and pushed against his chest as he ran on the beach.

Overhead, a seagull screeched then dived toward its prey. Cain’s lion raised its head, responding to the freedom in its cry. For a second, he was back in the hot dusty plains of his home country, racing with his pride members.

He’d not yet been a teenager then, not overwhelmed by the responsibilities and worries that would soon drag him down. His parents had been alive then. His lion had not yet met its mate.

Cain straightened, staring out to sea, not sure what he was going to do next.

A shout over his shoulder had him turning. Logan, his fellow Guardian, jogged toward him.

Since Hope and Aaron had mated, it left Logan as the only Ascendant to still stay single.

They jogged side by side, and Cain realized how much he’d missed spending time with his friend. They ran up a path that led off the beach. Jumping over the shallow wall, they ran into the garden and toward the mayor’s complex which housed shifters, humans, and vampires.

They paused to stretch and cool off.

Logan peeled off his T-shirt and used it to wipe the sweat from his chest. Drinking from the bottle of water he’d been carrying, he closed it and tossed it to Cain.

“Thanks.” Cain gulped down the water, then dumped the rest over his head. He threw the bottle back.

“Why are you fighting it?” Logan corked the bottle and snapped it to his belt.

“Fighting what?” Cain raised his chin.

“You want her, your lion needs her. Even as you stand here, your attention is focused on her.” Logan nodded toward the infirmary. “So what are you doing out here with me?”

Cain bent his legs into a lunge. “I was only fulfilling my duty as a Guardian of the City.” Bringing one arm across his chest, he grabbed his elbow and pulled back. “I watched over her to make sure she was safe while she was unconscious.”

The other man chuckled. “Remember who you are talking to? It’s me, Logan. I was there when you first arrived in this city to help Kris.” The immortal dropped down to touch his toes. “You’ve taken care of the first family of this city. You’ve more than kept the promise your family made to Brahma, the founding father. Is it your sense of responsibility that’s holding you back or it is just fear of the unknown?”

Logan’s words rankled.

Perhaps it was because they hit too close home. “What are you implying?”

Logan rolled his shoulders. “Since Eve was brought in, you haven’t left her side. You should be happy to have time away from her, but instead you are preoccupied.” Leaning in, Logan gripped Cain’s shoulder. “You don’t want to be apart from her. Yet you are forcing yourself to do something that goes against everything you’re feeling inside.”

“Am I that transparent, or is it just that you know me too well?” Cain straightened.

“You’re not denying it, that’s a start.” Logan’s lips widened in a smirk.

A flare of discomfort worked itself loose inside. “You’re pissing me off.”

“Want to go a round?” Logan took a step back and dropped into a defensive crouch.

Cain lunged forward, kicking the legs out from under Logan.

Logan went down on his back. His body hit the ground with a thump. Cain was on him in a flash.

Pinning Logan down, he put his elbow to the immortal’s neck. “You were saying?”

The next second, Logan twisted his body, managing to loosen Cain’s hold on him. Cain was flung to the side. He heard the sound of ripping. His shirt tore. Logan’s arm circled his neck. The weight of his body held Cain’s larger one down.

Cain heaved against the other man.

Logan didn’t budge.

The immortal had him immobile. Sweat ran down his forehead. His heart pumped faster.

“You’re out of practice.” Logan panted. His elbow dug into the base of Cain’s throat. If he wanted, he could cut off Cain’s air supply. “It’s the first time I’ve got the better of you in a sparring session.” Releasing him, Logan sprang to his feet and held out a hand.

Cain let the other man help him up. He punched Logan’s shoulder. “You had a slight advantage. I’ve been a little...engrossed.”

Logan chuckled. “Feel better?”

Cain flung his arm around the warrior’s shoulders. “I’ll let it go this time, runt.” He hauled Logan close in a mock headlock.

With Serena, he’d always assumed the role of the protective older sibling. Logan was the closest he’d come to having a brother he could pit his strength against, without fear of hurting him.

“You’ll let me go?” There was a shout of laughter from Logan.

Cain’s lips widened in a smile.

A movement at the periphery of his vision caught Cain’s attention. He dropped his hands to his sides. His gaze focused on the woman leaning against the wall. “What are you doing here?”