“Strange feeling in my gut.”

“I’m really learning to dislike that phrase.”

Yeah, he wasn’t a big fan of it, either.

She held her hand out to him and Xev. “Let’s go see Cherise.”

Nick placed his hand in hers and let her take him home. At first, he didn’t see or hear anything. The condo was completely still and quiet.

Only that special fissure in the air that was unique to a paranormal entity let him know that there was something out of place here. And since the only creatures who could penetrate the barriers were those he approved, he knew it had to be Livia.

Nick rushed to the bedroom to find his mom lying on her side in the bed, fast asleep. In jeans and a white blouse, Livia sat in the corner.

She smiled as soon as she saw him. “Ah, so glad you’re home. As you can see, she’s fine.”

Nick stopped her as Livia started to leave. “Wait.”

She rematerialized with an arched brow. “Yes?”

“Where did you find her? Who took her and why?”

Closing the distance between them, Livia placed her warm hand against Nick’s arm and whispered in his ear. “I hear things others don’t know I do. Even though I’m risking my life to return her to you, I owe you more than I can ever repay. It is my honor to serve you, Malachai. But if I were you, I would be very careful who I trust her with in the future. Who you put your faith in. You can never be too careful.”

The bad feeling in his gut worsened. “What have you heard?”

She blinked quickly and glanced about nervously before she whispered her answer. “I can’t say exactly. Just be careful. You have many more enemies than even you know.”

“Is that what happened to Caleb?”

Livia glanced past his shoulder to the hallway where Kody and Xev waited. “We should talk later.” And with that, she vanished.

Grimacing, Nick went to the bed to make sure his mom really was okay. He sank down to his knees by her side before he reached one trembling hand out to touch her soft cheek. It took all of his strength not to gather her into his arms and hold her there in a steel grip like King Kong with Fay Wray and dare anyone to ever try to take her from him again.

Her eyes fluttered open. “Nicky?”

“Hey, Ma.”

She frowned at him. “What are you doing here, baby Boo? Shouldn’t you be in class?”

“They let us out of school early. Weather knocked out the power.”

She sat up and looked around. “Is our power out, too?”

“Don’t know. Didn’t test it. Just got home and came looking for you.” For the first time, he let out a real breath before he launched himself into her arms and held her close.