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something else. Have you been allowed free entry into Mika's home?"
    "Do you mean, did she give me a key? No, she didn't." Kimi smiled. "I don't think she wanted to chance me walking in on her and Conor. They
are
newlyweds."
    He didn't return her smile. "When I said entry, I meant does Mika invite you in or can you enter on your own?"
    "They invite me in. Why?"
    That answer didn't appear to make him happy. "Because McCabe has some damn formidable protection around his home and no one can enter without an invitation. I was hoping, though, that you had permanent permission. If you did, you could hole up there while I hunt the dark demon and I wouldn't have to worry about protecting you."
    Kimi wasn't sure how she felt about his desire to get rid of her. Part of her never wanted to see the Dark One again: that side wanted to allow Nic to make it all better. Another part of her, however, rebelled at the idea of letting him fight her battle on his own. She belonged at Nic's side no matter what.
    "I won't be a liability," Kimi said.
    "You're human."
    And human equaled hindrance in Nic's mind. "I put him on his ass once—don't underestimate me."
    "How did you do that?" he asked.
    With a shrug, Kimi moved away from the wall. "I'm not sure. If I knew, I wouldn't need to ask for help."
    "You said that—"
    "I don't want to talk about it again," she snapped. She turned to go.
    Before she could leave the room, Nic was there, his hands gentle on her shoulders as he faced her toward him. He hesitated only a moment before gathering her against his body and soothing her. "Hush,
tes,
" he said as he ran his hand over her hair.
    She growled. "My name is Kimi, not Tess."
    Nic laughed. He didn't make a sound, but she felt his chest shaking. "
Tes
is a demon word, not a name."
    "Oh." And she felt stupid and young. "What does it mean?"
    He ignored her question. "Would you trust me to read your thoughts? Only about the demon attack; I would delve no further. I give you my word on that."
    Kimi hesitated, then agreed. He stopped stroking her hair and put his hands on either side of her head. She swore she could feel him in her mind, but he was as careful as he said he'd be and she relaxed against him. It was Nic who went rigid.
    "What is it?" she asked when he stepped away. "Nic?"
    "I know the one who assailed you." He began to pace. "He's very powerful and very dangerous. Fortunately, you hurt him severely—not just because you were able to get away, but because we'll have some time before Augustin will be recovered enough to come after you again. That's the good news."
    "And the bad news?"
    "There might not be any demon capable of defeating him."

Chapter Three
     
    Of all the Dark Ones loose in the Overworld, why did it have to be this one after Kimi? Nic would move heaven and earth to protect his vishtau mate, he'd die so that she might live, but if he didn't take Augustin out with him, Kimi would be left to face the demon alone.
    She moved, putting herself in his path as he paced the length of her apartment. "Nic, please. Talk to me."
    "What do you want me to say? I'll defend you to the best of my ability, but that might not be enough."
    "Is he really that dangerous, then?"
    Her hands were clutched in front of her and Nic reached out, taking them in his. The iciness of her fingers told him how nervous she was. "Let me put it in perspective for you," he said quietly. She had to understand the gravity of the situation. "Many residents of Orcus wish the Bak-Faru didn't exist. They feel that all demons have been given a bad reputation because of the actions of this one group. Many of the Bak-Faru wish that Augustin never existed."
    "Because they feel he gives them a bad name."
    "Bingo," Nic said. He didn't quite know what the word meant, but he'd picked up plenty of slang since he'd come to the Overworld and he'd used the term correctly.
    "How terrible is he?" Kimi asked. "Honestly?"
    Nic debated. "Evil. I don't use that word lightly, either. He's