Page 65 of A Token of Blood and Betrayal

“Gowhere?”This time, the question was a demand.

He paused on the first step.Looked over his shoulder.“Did I not mention the life-and-death matter?”

“Did I not mention the sun is up?”

His head cocked.“You didn’t actually, but the window told your tale.Come along now.You’ll understand—”

His knee buckled.He fell sideways and down, rolling over a hip once, twice.

“Deagan!”I hurried after him.

“Ouch.”His butt was perched on the second-to-last step, his feet on the floor, elbows resting on knees as if he’d just casually decided to sit.

I crouched in front of him.His eyes weren’t focusing well, but that was the only sign he might be injured.

“Jared’s going to kill me if I let you kill yourself,” I said.

Deagan snorted, then winced.“All will be well when we exit the Null.”

“Except the goingpoofin the sun part.”

He pushed to his feet, wobbled only a bit.“Blankets.”

“Blankets?”I asked.

“Yes, Ms.Rain.”He headed out the door.

And I suddenly realized what he meant.“No.No way.I’m not smuggling you out in my trunk again.”

“It worked beautifully last time.”

I caught up with him.“We were stopped by a cop last time.”

“A onetime issue, I’m sure.All will be fine.”

“I know what fine really means.”

He laughed.

He was serious about this.Why?The last time he left the Null during daylight was because he’d been here during the week of the full moon.The Lehr-sanctioned werewolves found him snooping around, and they were not happy about it.They were ready to shove him out of the Null.I’d barely been able to get him out of there alive.

“You’ll explain everything?”I asked when we reached the lobby’s back door.

“Of course I will.”He headed toward the employee hallway.

I chewed on my bottom lip.Was I going to do this?Leave the Null again?Canyon was unlikely to approach me with another paranorm around.Deagan might not be at one hundred percent yet, but he counted as protection.I could help him with whatever his emergency was.He could escort me to the bank and electric company.From the trunk, but that was a technicality.

“Ms.Rain,” Deagan said, drawing me out of my thoughts.His eyes were clear and sincere.“Trust me.”

“The last time I saw you conscious, you tried to kill me.”Would have if Jared hadn’t shown.

Deagan grimaced.“I was that gone?”

I nodded.

“My apologies.I do not wish you harm.You are the best thing that has happened to the paranormal world.It is in our best interest that you live a long and prosperous life.”

My mouth pinched into a smile.“That proves it.You’re still out of your mind.Blankets?”