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definitely needed more protection. “Where is Mr. Whiskers now if he is such a good protector?”
    “He’s at my house.”
    Matthias’s jaw tensed. Either she was clueless or just plain reckless. Either way, she needed someone to defend her. “And that’s why I’m here.” He leaned in, his jaw set and his nostrils flaring. Perhaps he could scare her into submission. He might not have wanted this mission to start, but now he knew its severity. He’d read the reports Deleon had given him. She was more stubborn than he thought. She was smarter than she gave herself credit for too. He sensed the energy surrounding her. He saw it in the spark in her eyes. It radiated from her every pore, hot and heavy, and seeped into his being. That sort of power needed to be controlled. She needed more than a bodyguard. “Your life depends on it.”
    “Oh, well.” Her gaze glowed like two molten sapphires. His heart, despite the control he tried to muster, thumped in his chest, sending all the blood rushing to his groin, where an altogether different organ throbbed. Bloody hell.
    She could very well be her own worst enemy—and his complete and utter downfall. One thing was obvious. The Fore-Demons wanted him to fail. And, with his previous history, it didn’t surprise him one bit. He’d heard stories about the Fore-Demons and their cryptic ways. Perhaps they knew more than they let on. Mayhap they believed he was doomed long before he even joined the ranks. He had news for the Fore-Demon Council. He would not back down. If he was meant to fail, he wouldn’t go down without a fight. Serah’s protection depended on it.
    “Oh well?” he ground out, grabbing her by the shoulders. Heat pounded its way from the tips of his fingers and slammed him in the head. His whole body reeled with energy. Calming the rush of energy and emotions rushing through him, he sucked in a breath. “Your friend saved your life, did she not?”
    Serah’s gaze widened. Her body trembled against him. He loosened his grip on her shoulders, reluctant to let go completely.
    “Yes,” she whispered. She lowered her gaze to the gray, carpeted floor. Even though it had only been gone for a mere second, Matthias already missed that sapphire gleam. Maybe she was finally coming to her senses, because God knew he was surely losing his.
    “Damn, Ambrose. We wanted you to protect her, not have her cowering in fear.” Lucia shook her head. “What the hell?”
    “She needs to accept what she is. Acting stubborn and ignoring the truth isn’t the way.” He glanced around the room, seeing Lucia’s and Rafe’s piercing gazes. Uttering a low growl, Matthias scrubbed his chin. “This isn’t the sort of mission I’m used to.”
    Serah’s head snapped up, affording him another glance at the jewels he desperately tried to avoid. “What sort of mission are you used to, Ambrose?”
    Matthias’s heart quickened. Good God! Did she remember? She might have been strong, but his powers were strong enough to make even a demon forget, which was why his services were always in high demand. He always wondered why the gift of erasing his victims’ memories was important. After all, they usually ended up dead or banished to the deepest dregs of hell. There, memories were often fleeting.
    But not everyone’s memories were so fragile. Those with stronger powers often remembered, and Serah was powerful. He needed to tread carefully. He couldn’t have her remember. Not just the kidnapping, but something else. Something he should have never done, something he swore he’d never do in over seven hundred and fifty years as a demon. He had let his emotions get in the way. He had fallen victim to her charm. He needed to keep his distance—a virtually impossible task.
    But he had no choice. This mission was no longer about him finding his place. It was about keeping Serah safe. He could not fail. He owed her that much, after all the horror he’d allowed to befall her