Eve straightened from where she’d been watching them. She was still shaky, but a good night’s sleep had invigorated her.

She flicked back her newly washed hair over her shoulder. The borrowed boots gave her added height. With them on, she reached up to mid-chest of the shifter who stood glowering at her.

Ignoring Cain, she held out a hand to the man next to him. Shorter than the lion shifter, he was broad shouldered and sleekly muscled.

“You must be Eve?” He brushed his lips over her knuckles. “I’m Logan.” His eyes glinted.

She smothered a chuckle of delight.

The man was flirting with her, and in front of the lion shifter.

Tension radiated from Cain.

She dared not look at his face. She may not want a relationship with him, but she was woman enough to revel in the jealousy that his tense body implied.

Logan’s grin widened. He didn’t let go of her hand.

A warning growl from Cain.

She ignored it.

So did Logan.

“You’re one of the Ascendants?” she asked.

The smooth feeling of power that clung to Logan was different from the sense of raw energy that vibrated around Cain. The emotions just under the surface marked Cain out as a shifter, one who was spontaneous and thought with his heart.

“I’m also a Guardian of the Council of Bombay.” Logan moved close enough for her to feel the warmth of his body.

The next second, she was facing a broad back as Cain stepped between them. The move forced Logan to drop her hand.

“Keep your distance.” The words emerged as a growl.

The tone was rough enough to grate against her skin.

A low hum shimmered in the air. It was Cain growling in his throat. The sound thrilled her.

It made her sense the possessiveness that lurked just under the surface. The edge of fury in his voice arrowed straight to her heart.

She placed her palm on his back. The warmth of his skin leaped through his sweat-ridden T-shirt to curl around her fingers. She felt the strain that gripped his body.

She peeked around the broad shoulders in time to see Logan take a step back. He held his palms faceup, all expression wiped off his face. His attention darted to her. She was sure there was a flicker of humor in his eyes.

His eyelids swept down, and when he raised them, those blue eyes were calm. “We cool?”

Cain didn’t reply, balling his hands into fists at his sides. He moved the weight of his body from one leg to the other.

She had to intervene.

Eve gripped one forearm, stepping up to stand parallel to him. When that didn’t distract him, she squeezed his arm, feeling the stress that thrummed below his skin.

He glanced down at where her hands touched him. His gaze slid up her arm to her upturned face.

She gasped.

His eyes were amber, the irises sparking gold. His lips were peeled back in a snarl.

She had seriously underestimated him. She’d thought he was as dominant as her, but the unleashed violence simmering from him warned her that when provoked, his rage would be a thing of beauty. It would be something to fear.

She didn’t want to be at the receiving end of it. But she had to make him livid enough that he’d walk away and never want to see her again.

She dropped her hands to her sides. Her chest tightened. She raised her chin at Logan. “I came to thank Cain for all he’s done for me. It’s time for me to meet the Council and say my goodbyes.”

Cain stiffened. His neck was corded with strain. He was keeping a tight leash on his emotions. It made her wonder how it would be when that control broke, to be at the receiving end of all those pent-up feelings.

Her lips felt like they had been shorn of all moisture. A feeling of recklessness gripped her, and the hair on her forearms stood on end.

She was playing a risky game. This man would be able to match her in a fight and in bed. He’d excite her and raise her desire to fever pitch. He’d satisfy her in a way she never had been before.

She swallowed and folded her arms over her chest, hoping to cover her nipples that had puckered up at the thought.

“Cain.” Hope ran toward them. Breath coming in short gasps, she slid to a halt. “Serena…” She panted.

“What happened to her?” Cain’s shoulders straightened. He reached for Hope and pressed her shoulder. His touch was light, though he sounded strained. “Where’s my sister?” His tone lowered to a growl—his lion was close to the surface again.

Hope gripped Cain’s hand. “It’s best you hear more at the Council meeting.” She bit her lips.

Swearing, Cain broke into a run toward the mayor’s palace.

“All of you.” Hope turned to Eve. “The mayor has asked that you and Logan attend, too.”