She checked her phone and saw that it was in fact October thirtieth. Had she really been so focused on the Dark that she hadn’t paid attention to the date?

Lexi tried not to walk faster when the building came into view. She crossed the street and casually strolled up the front steps while covertly looking around her. Even then she didn’t breathe a sigh of relief until she got to the flat.

She was reaching for the handle when the door opened. A woman with dark hair and moss green eyes smiled at her. She opened the door wider and waved Lexi inside.

“You must be Lexi. You’re just as Thorn described,” the Brit said when Lexi entered.

Before she could form a response a second woman came out of the bathroom. She had silver blond hair and beautiful emerald eyes.

“We were hoping to meet you before we went out again,” said the blond with a strange accent that wasn’t American or Scottish but a mixture.

Lexi looked from one to the other, thoroughly confused. “Hi.”

The brunette laughed. “Forgive us. It’s been a long day. We just had a little nap, and we’re anxious for our husbands to return. I’m Laura, and that’s Danielle.”

“Call me Dani,” she said.

Lexi set her purse on the table. “How did you know I would come?”

“Thorn,” Laura explained as she held up her mobile. “He said you would be stopping by.”

“Oh.” That all made perfect sense. Lexi walked to the couch and sank onto a cushion.

Dani sat on the opposite end. She tucked her blond hair behind an ear. “We heard how you went after the Dark.”

“Not very smart, I know,” Lexi said.

Laura came around the couch and sat on the arm next to Dani. “I don’t know. You knew they were evil when so many don’t.”

Lexi looked at them. “Are you Druids?”

“Yep,” replied Dani.

“So they allow you to fight the Dark?”

Laura laughed and exchanged a look with Dani. “If you knew our husbands, you’d understand how we have the same argument with them each time until they relent and let us fight.”

“How many times have you fought the Dark?” Lexi asked.

“This is our first time battling the Dark,” Dani said. “Before that we battled Druids who used dark magic.”

Laura added, “Otherwise known as droughs.”

“You’re lucky you have magic to fight.”

Dani’s smile dropped some. “Not so lucky that we always know what’s going on and fight these villains. Unlike the Dragon Kings, we can be killed easily enough.”

“As can our men,” Laura said.

There were male voices a heartbeat before the door opened and two men strode into the flat. Lexi stood as she looked from the pale brown–haired one with brown eyes who walked to Dani with a smile to the other man with dark eyes and brunette hair who kissed Laura.

“Who’s this?” Laura’s husband asked.

Laura softly touched his cheek. “This is Lexi. Lexi, let me introduce my husband, Charon.”

Lexi nodded a greeting.

Charon wore a charming smile that said he was self-assured and completely satisfied with life. “So you’re the Lexi that Fallon and Marcail spoke about.”

Dani walked over with her man then. She smiled up at him and said, “Lexi, this is Ian.”

“Hello,” Lexi said.

Ian wore a friendly smile. “I wish we could chat longer, but it’s our turn to get back out there and kill some assholes.”

“Honey,” Dani said with a frown.

Laura laughed. “Oh, Dani. Ian’s right. They are assholes.”

They waved to Lexi as the four made their way out the door. When they departed, the flat seemed suddenly too quiet.

There was no one to talk to, leaving Lexi with her troubled thoughts that centered on one person—Thorn.

CHAPTER

TWENTY-FIVE

Thorn stood in the warehouse long after Lexi left. His mind was spinning with possibilities of how her memories had returned.

He put a hand on the wall, his chest constricting with the thought of Lexi in the city at such a dangerous time. Thorn shouted Guy’s name through their mental link.

Guy answered instantly. “What is it?”

“Are you sure you took all of Lexi’s memories?”

“Of course.”

“You must have left something,” Thorn insisted.

Guy sighed loudly through the link. “I didna. I got all of them. Why? What’s going on?”

“Lexi. She’s here. And she remembers everything.”

“Impossible,” Guy stated in confusion.

Thorn ran a hand down his face and looked to where he had seen her sitting on the table when he walked in. “Ask Darius. He spoke with her as well.”

“No one has ever had their memories returned after I took them. I doona understand.”

“I doona either. I wanted to make sure you didna do something so she would get them back.”

“You asked for a favor, Thorn. I knew the reasons, and I’d never do such a thing to you.”

Shite. He was in real trouble now.

“What are you going to do?” Guy asked.

“The only thing I can. I’ll protect Lexi until I can get her out of the city once and for all.”

“Is she angry?”

Thorn rubbed his face where her hand had connected with his cheek. “You could say that.”

He severed the link and closed his eyes. The only way to ensure Lexi remained safe was to board her up at the flat and stand guard over her.

That wouldn’t work for several reasons. The main one was that he couldn’t leave Darius alone to fight the Dark. Even with the Warriors and Druids, he was needed. Then there was Lexi. She wouldn’t appreciate being held captive for any reason.

Thorn slammed his hand into the wall. “Fuck!”

“She knows the threats out on the streets,” Darius said as he walked into the warehouse carrying more dead Dark. “I followed her to make sure she arrived without incident.”

Thorn nodded, feeling numb and frozen at the same time. “How did this happen?” When Darius didn’t respond, Thorn turned to him, his hands clenched at his sides. “Did she tell you?”

“She doesna know,” Darius said and tossed down the two bodies.

“But you do?”

Darius let out a slow breath. “I have my suspicions.”

Thorn threw out his hands in agitation. “I’m all ears.”

“I was there with Guy. He took her memories. Lexi walked away without having any idea who we were.” Darius ran a hand down his face. “Perhaps she’s meant to stay here. With you.”

Thorn shook his head. “Nay. Nay! She can no’. If she does, the chances of her getting caught in the middle of this war rise each day she’s here.”

“Something triggered her memories. It was strong enough to wipe away Guy’s dragon magic, and we both know that’s never happened before.”

“She thinks I left her defenseless,” Thorn said. “I would never do such a thing.”

Darius crossed his arms over his chest. “What did you do?”

“I put a Fae knife in the lining of her purse so she would always have a weapon.”

“That shouldna be enough to break through Guy’s magic.”

Thorn rubbed the back of his neck. “Nay, it shouldna.”

“You should tell Lexi it was you.”

Thorn wasn’t sure it would do any good. She was too upset. “Scotland is the last place she should be now.”

“So tell her that as well. Go to her. Whether she wants to admit it or not, she needs you. And I’ve got everything covered for the night.” Darius pointed to the door and urged, “Go.”

If Thorn went to her, he knew he would kiss her again. If he kissed her again, he would want so much more. And if he made love to Lexi?

Thorn wasn’t sure he could even think of that right now. He’d known from the moment he first made contact with Lexi that she was dangerous to him.

If there was trouble, Darius would let him know. Thorn looked down at his torn shirt and jeans that were covered with blood. He quickly changed, and without another word to Darius, left the warehouse.