Ares and I transported directly to Death Valley Junction. The sun blazed overhead, warm and bright in the late afternoon. We arrived in the same place we had before, but at least we knew where we were going. As it had been before, it was quiet on the main road, people staying out of the sun during the heat of the day.

“Here’s hoping they aren’t out in the valley,” Ares said as we set off down the street.

“Seriously.” We passed by the old wooden saloons and the buggies parked in the alleys. It was the presence of the crazy cars that modernized the place a bit. Otherwise, I’d expect John Wayne to come strolling out the swinging doors of Death’s Door Saloon.

As we neared the end of the main street, approaching the road where Bree and Ana lived, I noticed a figure standing close to the corner of a building, using the cover to spy on Bree and Ana’s house. I nudged Ares in the side and pointed.

He studied the man, frowning, then murmured, “Suspicious.”

“My thoughts exactly.” That guy had stalker written all over him—but skilled, dangerous stalker. He wasn’t the fumbling sort who was obsessed with a pretty girl.

I walked closer to his side of the street, approaching him. I didn’t know what I planned to do when I reached him, but I wanted to get a better look. Maybe get a feel for his magical signature and figure out what the hell he was.

He stiffened, seeming to sense my approach, then vanished without turning around.

“He didn’t want me to see his face,” I said.

“Yeah. And he was hiding his magical signature.”

I nodded. A complete lack of magical signature was rare, unless this guy was a human or an extremely powerful supernatural. And he was definitely no human.

We continued past the turn and saw Ana and Bree’s house. Fortunately, their buggy was out front. The curtains by the front window twitched. They were watching.

I waved.

The door swung open a moment later, and Bree propped herself against the doorjamb. Her dark hair gleamed in the light, and she wore the same style strappy leather top that was very Mad Max chic.

“Don’t tell me you want another ride across the valley.”

“No.” I approached. “But we do need your help.”

She jerked her head back toward the interior of the house. “Come on in.”

We followed her into the small, dark space. It was totally run-down, with very sparse, ragged furniture and window cracks covered with duct tape. Given what these girls charged for a ride across the valley, they couldn’t be this broke. Even their buggy couldn’t eat up all the money they made.

No way I’d be asking about it, though, since I certainly didn’t want anyone asking where I put all the money I made from my shop.

Bree led us toward the small Formica table in the kitchen, shouting out toward the back of the house, “Ana! Get out here!”

We sat, and I looked at Bree. “There was a man watching your house.”

She twitched, eyes nervous. “Yeah?”

“Yeah. Don’t know what he was, but he could transport.”

She shifted, clearly nervous but trying to hide it. Too young. In a few years, she’d be better at it. Cass, Nix, and I had only really gotten our poker faces after years of practice.

“Do you have a stalker?” Ares asked.

“Not that I’d tell you about.” Her face closed up.

“Who’s poking in our business?” Ana’s voice came from behind.

She entered the kitchen, wearing a similar outfit to Bree’s. Her blonde hair was no longer in a mohawk, but rather swept to the side in an artful disarray.

“Hi, Ana.” I waved. “Not poking, just trying to help.”

“We don’t need help.”

I shrugged, knowing when to let a bone go. “How about a job, then?”

Her eyes sharpened and she sat. “What kind of job?”

“We need you and your buggy to take us through a forest that is protected by monsters.”

“Why?” she asked.

“We’re looking for something, and we can’t do it on foot. You’re the only people we know with machines fast and rugged enough to give us a shot.”

“How far away is it?” Bree asked. “We’ve got a job in two days. Can’t miss it.”

“It’s in France. But I’ve got a guy who can transport your buggy there and then get them back out.”

Ana’s brows rose. “Must be a strong guy.”

“Yeah, he is. Your buggy will be safe. And I’ll pay you seventy-five thousand dollars.”

Ana’s eyes popped, then she coughed, trying to hide her reaction. Ares looked at me, interest clearly in his eyes. Damn. He was probably wondering how I had that much money lying around when I lived in such a dump. No one realized how well we did with our shop since we ferreted away all our money into our troves. Though Ares knew I was a FireSoul, I hadn’t shared that with him yet.

Maybe it was time. Just the idea made me shiver. It was so personal… almost like sex, in a way.

I shoved the thought away, looking from Bree to Ana. “What do you say?”

The two girls looked at each other, indecision clear on their faces. They obviously liked their familiar stomping grounds. And Death Valley Junction was a hideout, no question. You didn’t live here unless you had no choice. Sure, these girls clearly liked the adventure. But so did Del, Nix, and I. But as soon as we’d gotten enough money and the protection of some powerful concealment charms, we’d moved straight to a nice town and a nice apartment.

Would my offer be enough to overcome their wariness?

“Eighty-five and you’ve got a deal,” Bree said.

Ana nodded resolutely, jaw set. “Not a penny less.”

I winced. Seventy-five was the last of my stash from our most recent big sale. I’d have to get the rest off of Nix and Del, but they wouldn’t mind.

“It’s fine,” Ares said. “You’ll have your money right away. And we’ll leave tomorrow morning.”

I glanced at him and smiled. His gaze flicked to me, and he nodded so slightly I almost didn’t notice.

“Fine,” Ana said. “We’ll do it. The money should be in our account tonight, and we’ll be ready to go in the morning.”

Bree saluted. “Limo drivers at your service.”

I cracked a smile and stood. “Thanks.”

“Just pay us. We don’t need thanks.”

I nodded and turned to leave, Ares at my side. At the door, I turned back. “That guy who was watching you. If you need help, you can come to us.”

The girls scowled, distrust clear on their faces.

“Just pay us,” Bree said.

“And be on time,” Ana added.

I nodded and we left, stepping out onto the bright street.

“They’re like feral cats,” Ares murmured.

“Hiding from something,” I said. “Those girls aren’t FireSouls, but what they really are, or what they’re hiding from, I have no idea.”

“You can’t save someone who doesn’t want to be saved.” Ares stopped and reached for my hand, ready to transport.

“That doesn’t stop me from wanting to.”

He leaned forward and kissed my forehead. “One of the things I like about you.”

* * *

Later that evening, after finalizing plans for the next day and transferring the money to Ana and Bree, I let Ares into my apartment. We’d grabbed dinner at P & P—more cheese quiche and pasties because we were tired and lazy—and Ares had asked if he could spend the night here rather than heading back to the Vampire Realm.

It’d taken me only half a second to decide. Though I was worn out, I wanted him with me.

Ares followed me into the kitchen, where I headed to the cupboard and took down two glasses. “Bourbon do for you?”

“Anytime.”

I poured us two glasses and handed one over. He sipped, clearly liking my Four Roses.

“I’m going to shower, then I’ve got something to show you.”

His brows raised. “Yeah?”

“Yeah.” I turned and walked toward the bathroom, my heart thundering at the idea. I was going to show him my trove—and no, that wasn’t a dirty joke. It felt scary, but right. Maybe it was seeing Bree and Ana and how scared they were. How untrusting.

I’d been like them for so long. But I wanted to be different now. Embrace life without running and hiding.

From now on, if I was going to run, it was going to be at something, not away.

I didn’t take long in the shower, just doing the bare minimum to get clean. When I left the little room, Ares stood from the couch.

“If you don’t mind, I’ll shower, too.”

“Sure.” I headed toward the bedroom to get dressed, but turned at the entrance. “There’s a door in my bedroom. I’ll leave it open, so when you’re done, come up.”

Interest glinted in his eyes. “All right.”

The water turned on, a dull roar that was easy to hear through the thin walls of the apartment. Immediately, I thought of Ares naked. I’d never seen him that way, but it wasn’t hard to paint a picture. It was every hot guy I’d ever seen in underwear ads, though I had a feeling that even that wouldn’t do Ares justice.

Head out of the gutter.

I focused on selecting some PJs, then left the light on in the bedroom and ascended the stairs to my trove. As soon as I entered, I heard the fluttering of wings.

“Jeff?”

He popped his head up from between some ferns, onyx eyes staring at me.

“How you doing, buddy?” I held out a hand, and he came forward to give me a sniff of greeting. “You have a good day?”

His head moved a bit, which I took to be a nod. “Thanks for the help in Norway.”

He nodded again.

Footsteps sounded on the steps leading to my trove. I stiffened, heart suddenly going wild.

Why had I decided to do this?

The door creaked open behind me, and I turned. Ares stood there, hair wet from his shower and impossibly handsome. Jeff, who fluttered at my side, disappeared immediately, as if he sensed the tension in the room. As if he sensed what might happen here.

He was my wingman. With wings. Giving me space.

“Hey,” I said.

Ares’s gaze traveled over the greenhouse, stopping briefly on the cars, then continued on. Awe shined in his eyes. “What is this place?

“My trove.” I petted the leaf of a fern, drawing comfort from the plant. “Some FireSouls have them. We fill them with what is valuable to us. Our treasure.”

“This is amazing. How did you get the cars up here?”

“I have a friend. Kelly. She’s the strongest transporter there is. She’s the one I called to help us with the buggies tomorrow.”

“Ah, smart.” He touched the stalk of a palm tree. “You’ve always liked plants.”

“I have, though I didn’t know why for a long time.”

Ares came to join me, standing close and studying the shining green ferns on the table near my waist. “It’s amazing.”

“Thank you. I’ve worked a long time on it. For most of my life, I wasn’t able to have a garden. We were running too much. Hiding.”

“They were hard years.”

I nodded, my heart suddenly aching at the tenderness in his expression. I swallowed hard.

“Thank you for showing me,” he said.

“Yeah.” The words stuck in my throat. This was too much attention, all focused on me and my secrets and my past. So I turned it on him. Cruelly, almost. But I was desperate. I needed the attention elsewhere. “Aethelred the Seer said you would lose what you love most. What is that?”

His face shuttered.

“I’m sorry.” I touched his shoulder, suddenly—and rightfully—feeling like shit for putting him under scrutiny. “I was feeling… Um. I’m just not used to this. Feeling like this for someone and being the center of attention.”

His gaze softened, and he reached up to cup my cheek. “You’re going to have to get used to it. Because you are the center of my attention. You have been since the moment I met you.”

I swallowed and nodded, touched.

Ares took my hand and tugged me away from the table. “Show me your amazing trove.”

I smiled. “All right.”

We walked amongst the rows, and I pointed out all of the plants, every one of them a favorite. The trees, the flowers, the ferns, the succulents.

“You’ve done incredible work here.”

I squeezed his hand. “A labor of love.”

Ares stopped at the Firebird, inspecting its sleek lines and bright red paint. He ran his fingertips over the side, toward the trunk, and I shivered. It was like he was touching me.

“This is beautiful.” His gaze was hot, but it wasn’t on the car.

I nodded, my mouth suddenly dry. My brain might not have known what to do, but my body did. I approached, standing in front of the trunk.

“Any reason you chose these cars?” he asked.

I shrugged, struggling for words. “I liked them. They each have their reason. But really, at the end of the day, I just liked them.”

“I like you.”

“Yeah?”

He crowded close. I held my ground. Which was a good thing, because the car at my back kept me from backing up anyway.

Ares propped both hands on the trunk, caging me in. My breath caught at his closeness, his heat.

“This is a sexy car.” His big hands wrapped around my waist, and he lifted me, setting me on the trunk. “And you are one sexy woman.”

He crushed his lips to mine. I gasped, then returned the kiss, reveling in his taste and touch. My heart thundered in my ears as he stepped closer, and I parted my legs to let him near.

He groaned, wrapping his arms around my waist and pulling me tight to him, his lips avid on mine. My breath grew short, and heat streaked through my veins. I stroked the hard muscles at his shoulders and arms.

“You feel amazing,” I murmured against his lips.

“Not half as good as you do.” He loosened his grip, running his hands down my back towards my hips. He gripped me there, tugging me toward him, and I gasped at the contact, sinking my hands into his hair and devouring his kiss.

His grip was tight on my hips, his hands firm, yet trembling with want.

I’d never been wanted so much that I made another person shake.

It made me feel powerful. And I liked it.

My head spun as he trailed his lips down my neck. His tongue burned me, but he was careful to keep his fangs away.

I ached for them, tilting my head to press my neck toward him.

He groaned. “What are you doing?”

“I want you to,” I moaned.

“Want me to what?”

He was going to make me say it. I swallowed hard. “Bite me.”

He shuddered against me, breath harsh. “Next time.”

“Now.”

He shook his head, then tilted my head up. His gaze was hot on mine, desperate. “I don’t have the control now.”

“I trust you.” I pulled him toward me, pressing my body full against his.

His jaw clenched. “I don’t trust myself.”

“I want it.”

He grinned, a wicked smile. “I can make you want something else.”

I was about to ask, but then he dropped to his knees and I didn’t have breath for any more words.

* * *

All around me, the forest died. Slowly, quickly—it depended on the plant. But death was all around as the life leeched from my beautiful grove. The violets withered, and the leaves fell from the tress. Sunlight sparkled through the gaps in the canopy, a normally lovely sight turned dark by knowledge of what had caused it.

My heart raced and my skin chilled as I dunked my bucket into the stream, scooping up water. I lugged the bucket toward the base of a nearby oak, my arms burning from the strain. I poured the water onto the dirt.

“Go!” my mind cried. “Feed my beloved trees.”

I didn’t wait for the water to absorb. Instead, I spun back toward the stream and raced for it, refilling my bucket. The water glittered clear and bright, a horrible reminder that it was not drought that killed my forest. And that my actions were probably pointless. The ground was not parched, yet my forest had died.

And I didn’t know how to save it. This wasn’t a place that required fertilization or pruning. It was wild, natural. Able to live on its own.

Until now.

Now, it was dying, and there was nothing I could do to stop it.

I sobbed as I raced toward another tree, dumping my burden onto the ground and continuing on my way, back toward the stream. Sweat and tears poured down my face, burning my eyes. My muscles screamed.

My forest died.

In the distance, the familiar blue glow of the forest spirit watched me. She’d appeared when the trees began dying, haunting this place like a specter from a Gothic novel.

I turned toward her to get a better look, but she disappeared. The memory of her expression, the sadness etched into the lines at the sides of her mouth and her furrowed brow, burned into my mind’s eye.