Sarafina jerked her gaze from Darren and focused on Theo. “Do we have an appointment or something, Theo? I don’t remember making one.”

“Training.” Theo pushed the words out from a nearly locked jaw. “If you’re going to offer yourself up on a platter to Bai, we’d better make sure you’re well garnished.”

Darren stood. “I need to go, anyway. It was nice to meet you, Sarafina.” He turned and nodded at Theo. “Theo.” Masculine challenge stood clearly on both their faces.

She and Theo watched Darren leave. Theo shut the door behind him, then braced his hand on the back of the door and spoke. “Making new friends, I see.”

“Are you jealous?”

“Of course not.” His voice was harsh. “Flirt with whom-ever you want. That’s not why I’m pissed.”

Sarafina stood. “Look, Theo, I’m not a child. I understand that I just put myself in grave danger.”

Theo stared at the closed door for a moment before turning toward her. “No, Sarafina, you just promised yourself death.” He paused. “Is that what you want? I’ve met lots of people in my life who do, either consciously or subconsciously. I would not put you in that category. You are . . . life. You are harmony, laughter, and magick.”

She blinked and jerked a little at the awe in his voice. It was almost reverence. Okay, she hadn’t been expecting words like that. Her jaw loosened a little, dropping a degree.

“Don’t do this.” He swore low. “Take your offer back. Stay away from the Duskoff.”

“No.”

“Sarafina—”

She pushed past him, toward the door. No way would she stand here and let him chastise her like he was her father. He grabbed her shoulders as she went past and held her fast.

“Let someone else go,” he said in a low voice.

But someone else didn’t have the access that she had.

“I can’t, Theo.” Her whole body shivered at his proximity, remembering his kiss. It was an event indelibly marked on her mouth.

“I won’t let you get hurt.”

“Then come with me and make sure I don’t.”

THEO’S GAZE SLIPPED DOWN THE CURVE OF HER throat. His fingers itched to stroke the fine blond hairs on the vulnerable back of her neck.

She wasn’t looking at him; she was looking at the door. An unconscious tell. Sarafina wanted away from him. Her jaw was tight and her eyes a little narrower. She was pissed off and he’d done it.

She was right about being the best person to approach the Duskoff, but Theo didn’t care. The thought of putting her deliberately in harm’s way made every protective instinct he had go on red alert.

Somewhere along the way he’d decided Sarafina was his to keep safe, his responsibility.

“Yes, of course I’ll go if you go.” He paused. “But they won’t allow me near Stefan.”