The Grey God

"I admire you, too, Jenn. More than is probably good for either of us," Darian whispered.

"You shouldn't, Darian."

"I'm not so sure."

He touched her again, the gentle stroke on her cheek sending warm shivers through her. Her gaze swept over his frame. She found herself liking this Darian too much. Unlike most men, he didn't back down from her, a reaction that intrigued her. She wanted to push and tease him to see how far he'd let her. But part of her knew Darian would not only excel at the games she played with people; he'd push back. He played to win. For the first time in her life, she thought she'd found someone she wasn't sure she could challenge without losing herself in the game. The idea of losing herself to Darian was more appealing than she expected.

"Good night, Darian," she said and shifted onto her back.

"I'll watch over you tonight. I think you need the sleep. Someone needs to take care of you."

Jenn didn't respond. A twinge of gratitude sprang up, and she suppressed it. She wasn't about to encourage Darian, not when she couldn't handle the results. She didn't think she'd fall asleep with the thoughts of her family and Darian's body close enough to make hers tingle with more than warmth. Whether he used his magic to put her to sleep, or her body needed it, she instantly fell into a deep, dreamless slumber.

She stirred after dawn, startled to see she'd slept so late. A shadow fell across her, and she rolled onto her back, unsettled to see Darian gone and another Guardian standing over her.

"Ikir Damian sent me to get you," he said. "There's an issue."

"Give me a minute," she said and hastened to her feet. She adjusted her clothing and weapons then swept the backpack up and trotted to the locker room. Jenn splashed water on her face and brushed her teeth quickly.

She heard the sound of someone beating a punching bag. It was too early for the vamps to be up. She went to the door leading into the gym, pausing to watch Darian. He was covered in sweat, the muscles of his exposed back rippling with his movement. He was beating out his demons, the way he did every day. She felt dirty again for treating him as she had, even if it was for his own good.

Jenn pushed herself away from the doorframe and returned to the foyer. The waiting Guardian paced, eyeing the vamps that had gathered around to glare at him.