Page 40 of Visions of You

"Yeah, yeah, I'm listening." Jaron straightened. "Keegan did say the kidnappers are going after fated mates." Information that made Jaron a little uneasy when he thought about it. What if they targeted Keegan himself while Jaron wasn't with him?

Was that what Keegan had seen in the vision that scared him so much?

Jaron's fingers went to the scarf he'd slung around his neck. He'd better deliver that to Keegan tonight. If it truly had protective power, it might be of use to him.

Ianair looked at him curiously. "What's it like, being with a vampire?"

"It's…" Jaron thought for a moment, remembering Keegan's fangs piercing his skin. He grinned. "It's hot. I'm pretty sure he thinks I'm a total snack."

Ianair laughed. "A snack?"

"Yup." Jaron's grin widened. "I wouldn't mind if he ate me for breakfast, lunch and dinner."

Ianair shook his head. "You're a goner."

"Well, if he drained me dry, I'd die happy."

Ianair laughed again. "Must be nice, being with your mate."

"It is. His skin is so cold too, but I kinda like that. Super different from being with another dragon. We all run so hot."

"Well, I guess that's one way to keep cool in the summer," Ianair quipped.

Jaron rolled his eyes dramatically but chuckled along. The banter was a welcome distraction from the tedium of their stakeout.

Hours had passed since they'd started following this woman, and so far, she hadn't done anything interesting.

"You know," Ianair said as he watched a waiter approach the women with their bill, "if nothing happens soon, I might start hoping we get abducted instead—just for something to do."

Jaron let out a hearty laugh at that. "Don't even joke about that. Apollo will have our scales for belts if we manage to get ourselves taken."

"Probably true," Ianair admitted.

Jaron's tail flicked. "I can't believe we're spending the day babysitting."

Ianair stretched, his wings unfurling slightly before settling against his back. "Could be worse. We could be stuck in the office filling out paperwork."

"Guess you're right," Jaron conceded with a grimace. "At least we're out in the fresh air, and I don't have to smell that damn sandalwood incense Ceska has been bringing in lately."

"Cut her some slack," Ianair said, predictably. "She's trying to create a calming atmosphere."

"Yeah, yeah." Jaron waved his friend off and decided not to tease him about obviously being into Ceska. His gaze drifted back to the café as the brunette they were watching stood up, tossing her hair over her shoulder as she prepared to leave. "Time to get going," he muttered, nudging Ianair with his elbow.

They kept a discreet distance as they followed the mortal home, trying not to stick out. The woman walked with a bounce in her step, completely unaware of the shadowing dragons.

"She seems cheerful for someone who might be in danger," Ianair observed.

"Maybe ignorance really is bliss," Jaron replied, his eyes never leaving their charge.

When she went back to her house in the guarded community, Jaron prepared to pose as one of the guards when his phone vibrated sharply against his thigh, cutting through his thoughts.

Apollo's name flashed on the screen.

Jaron pressed the phone to his ear. "Tymera here."

"We need you back at the office," Apollo's voice was terse.

"What's going on?"