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room, a bland but elegant affair in shades of brown—lots of wood, lots of leather—illuminated by several demon-fire lanterns.
    The Guardian sat in a nearby chair, leaning forward. “Morning, Kes.”
    “Salut.” Kestrel sat on the back of the couch so his flight feathers hung freely. He shut his eyes.
    Saffron’s voice, speaking in French, filled his mind. You have no idea how worried I was. Of course I came here to Eden. What else was I supposed to do? No, don’t worry. I’ll be home soon.
    “I can still hear her.” Kes raked his fingers through his hair.
    “That’s unfortunate,” the demon said, his tone sincere.
    “If I still hear her after Virgil’s second round of questions, I don’t know if I should let her leave. Where is death waiting for her? Here, or out there?”
    “Impossible to know.” Dec leaned back in the chair. “But we’re not in a position to prevent her from leaving. An interrogation is one thing. Holding her prisoner is quite another. The human authorities will take action, and the colony can’t afford that sort of negative exposure.”
    “What if I asked her to stay?”
    Decimus cocked his head.
    “Just for a few days. I’ve never detected death more than a week out. If she stays with me, what could happen to her?”
    “Undiagnosed heart condition. Freak accident. Choking—”
    “Enough.” Kestrel flicked his wings. The mental images filled his chest with pain.
    Dec tapped his knee. “You like her.”
    “I shouldn’t.”
    “But you do.”
    “Yes.”
    “The two of you have no future,” Dec said, his voice quiet. “She’s a Morin. Even if she’s her father’s opposite, it’s an impossible match. Colony security.”
    “I’m not looking for a match. I’m looking for a few days, to keep her safe. Out there, I can’t help her.” He nodded to himself and got to his feet. “It’s my decision. If she agrees, she is staying as my guest.”
    “Then, I’d recommend a trip to the colony doctor. Just in case.”
    Kes sighed. “Yeah.”
    “Roman isn’t going to like having a Morin in the colony as a guest. I will talk to him.”
    “Thank you.” Roman, the colony’s leader, had final say in all matters except the affairs of archangels, which rested with the select group of Guardians dedicated to protecting Kestrel’s kind above all else. In the rare occasion of clashing interests between Roman and the archangels’ Guardians, head-butting ensued. However, everyone wanted the same thing at the end of the day: a safe, secure home. Dec was right. If Kes wanted something long term with Saffron, it would be impossible. A Morin with access to Eden was too big a security risk.
    He hadn’t been thinking of the future, not even close, but still, the absolution made his stomach sink. He turned to go.
    “Kes.”
    “Yeah?”
    His dedicated Guardian grinned. “Strangely enough, I think this girl is exactly what you need. Live it up.”

Chapter Four
    Saffron set the cell phone on the bedside table. Thank goodness, Thyme was safe. She and the poachers had been stranded after they’d tried to drive through a swampy area—so much for being skilled outdoorsmen—in a cellular dead zone. They’d walked to the nearest town and arrived about the time the demons had dragged Saffron into the colony in handcuffs.
    Figures.
    But being manhandled by demons was worthwhile when it came with archangel kisses. Damn. Five hundred years had taught him how to use his tongue in sinful ways. She covered her face with her hands.
    “Saffron?”
    She glanced up. “Hey.”
    Kes approached from the bathroom wearing a fresh dark-blue shirt and jeans, his hair damp. Water dripped lightly from his flight feathers. “Are you all right?”
    “Yeah, just emotional overload.”
    He nodded. “The water is warm, if you’re interested.”
    That did sound like heaven, but… “I have nothing to change into.”
    “I’ll find something. Go ahead.”
    She all but dove for the bathroom. At home, she