“Are you sure? Hellhounds make awfully good guard dogs.” His horrified expression made me laugh. “Kidding.” The gleam that entered his eyes told me I was probably going to pay for my fun. I just hoped it wasn’t another incubus. “Are you ready to leave, Cousin?” I wasn’t, but I knew we couldn’t stay much longer. “Can I have a few more minutes?” “As you wish.” Setting Oscar on the floor, I wandered around the apartment one last time with him trailing close behind me as if he was afraid I’d leave him again. In the living room, I sat in the armchair near the cold fireplace and thought about the night I’d sat here with Nikolas. That was the first time I’d seen a side of him other than the warrior, and looking back it was easy to see how it had been a turning point in our relationship. I