He held my gaze and then went back to his internet search. Muscles stiffened as a burst of fear spiked me in the chest, followed by the sudden clarity that Zayne...he would die for me. He already almost had, and that was before we were bonded. He’d pushed me out of the way when Aym had made a run at me, and nearly paid for that with his life. Aym had been horrifically talented with Hellfire, which could burn anything in its path, including a Warden.

As my Protector, giving his life for mine was in Zayne’s job description. If I died, so would Zayne, and if he died protecting me, I would live on, and I guessed another would replace him—another like Misha, who was never supposed to have been bonded to me.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” he said, staring at the laptop screen.

My gaze shot to him. The glow from the screen lit his profile. “What?”

“I can feel it.” He placed his left palm against his chest, and my shoulders tensed. “It’s like an icicle in my chest. And I know you’re not afraid of me or for yourself. You’re too much of a badass. You’re afraid for me, and you don’t need to be. You know why?”

“Why?” I whispered.

Zayne looked at me then, his gaze unflinching. “You’re strong, and you’re a damn good warrior. I might be your Protector in some instances, but when we fight, I’m your partner. I know you’re not going to put my ass in a sling because you’re not holding your own. There’s no way I can fall with you beside me, and no one will best you with me beside you. So, get those fears out of your head.”

Air lodged in my throat. That was possibly the nicest thing anyone had ever said about me. I sort of wanted to hug him. I didn’t, though, managing to keep my hands and arms to myself. “I like it when you say I’m a badass.”

That got a grin. “Not remotely surprised to hear that.”

“Does this mean you’re finally going to admit I beat you and won that day in the training room back at the Community?” I asked.

“Come on now. I’m not going to lie to make you feel better about yourself.”

I laughed as I gathered up my hair, twisting the thick length. “Are we going patrolling tonight?”

Patrolling was what Wardens did to keep the demon populace in check, but that wasn’t the kind I was talking about. We were looking for a certain demon and a creature we had no idea what to call other than the Harbinger.

He paused. “I was thinking we could just chill for the night. Take it easy.”