Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels 4)

“Challenge?” I repeated, too lost in the haze of satisfaction to understand.

“Yes,” Rhoan snapped. “He offered the chance to save his next victim.”

“But that’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Yes. Except for one thing. He wants you on the case, Ris. And only you.”

Chapter 5

It took me ten minutes to shower and dress, and another five to catch a tram down to Spencer Street, where the inconspicuous green-glass building that housed the Directorate was located. Given it was rush hour, it was quicker and easier than a car.

Pale blue light swept my length as I walked into the foyer. It was the only visible indication of the vast array of scanners installed in this place, and they all had one purpose—to protect those within. Not even a gnat could get into the Directorate without security being aware of it, let alone anyone armed with some form of weapon—be it metal, plastic, or laser. Though there wasn’t any sensor in the world capable of detecting Amaya’s presence.

A different kind of energy shimmered across my skin as I walked toward the security officers. Azriel.

“So nice of you to finally join me.” I didn’t bother to look his way, yet awareness of him hummed through me.

“It would have been awkward had I joined you earlier.” His voice was as even as ever. It was only the anger vibrating through my being that suggested he wasn’t as calm as he appeared.

“Oh, I don’t know,” I said, unable to resist the urge to needle him. “A threesome can be quite fun.”

“I would not know, nor do I have any intention of ever knowing.”

Especially when the third is someone I would rather kill. The thought was soft and vehement, and one I suspected I wasn’t meant to hear.

Which suggested that the link between us was not only getting stronger but beginning to flow both ways. And although it was something I was sure he wouldn’t be happy about, I wasn’t about to complain. Any insight into my reaper’s thoughts—good or bad—was more than welcome, given his general reticence when it came to explanations.

I stopped at the desk and smiled at security. To Azriel, I silently said, Can they see you?

Yes.

The blond guy behind the desk leaned back in his chair, his expression courteous. “Can I help you?”

“We have an appointment with Rhoan Jenson.”

“If you’d like to take a seat, I’ll inform him you’re here.”

“Thanks.” I walked over to the square of comfy chairs situated to one side of the foyer and sat, legs crossed. I was still wearing the shift dress, so a decent amount of thigh was revealed. But if Azriel noticed, he gave no indication—either physically or mentally. I squashed the sliver of disappointment and said, “Why have you been so absent?”

He half shrugged, the movement casual and eloquent. “I have no wish to be near when you are with the Aedh.”

“Granted, but what about before that? When I was at the café, and Tao exploded?”

“You obviously had everything under control. I did not see the need to interfere.”

In other words, he’d been too pissed off to interfere. I sighed. “Azriel, this distancing is not the answer.”

“Is it not what you wished for?”

I studied him for a moment, wondering if he was deliberately being obtuse. “You can’t solve a problem by ignoring it.”

“Unless I try, I will never know.”

“Surely there has to be a better way—”

“No.” It was sharply said, with an air of finality.

And it made me suspect there was more to this pull between us—more than just assimilation—that worried him. But, as ever, he didn’t deign to confirm or deny the thought—though I had no doubt he’d heard it.