Page 6 of Knight’s Salvation

Chapter 2

The common roomwas what you’d expect: big comfy couches and a huge plasma TV. The room was painted in cool, soothing blue—no doubt in an effort to keep the halfling demon spawn from flipping their wigs and destroying the place—and there was also a pool table over to the right, and a large table and chairs on the opposite side.

A whimper came from the other side of the room. Mia turned to find a young woman, maybe in her early twenties, sitting on one of the overstuffed couches on the far side of the room. Her knees were drawn up to her chest, arms wrapped protectively around herself. An attractive dark-haired woman sat close to her, speaking in soothing tones. Another guy stood against the wall, hands shoved in his pockets, a small frown turning down his full lips as he watched on.

Not wanting to intrude, Mia took a step back, preparing to make a hasty exit. The guy glanced up and his lips lifted on one side. “Hey.”

“Ah, hi. Sorry to interrupt. I can come back…”

“No, it’s fine. Don’t leave.” He beckoned her over and when she reached them, held out his hand. “I’m James and this is Kate. Like you, she arrived here at the compound today.” He motioned toward the other woman. “And this is Eve. She’s a permanent fixture here, like me.”

Eve looked up and smiled. She had a wicked scar on her cheek, causing her smile to be lopsided. It seemed wrong, so out of place on her soft features. “Nice to meet you. Mia, right?”

Mia returned her smile. “Yeah, that’s me. Nice to meet you, too.”

“I heard you’d arrived. I was coming to you next, but thought perhaps Kate needed me first.”

“Sure, no problem. And nice to meet you, too, Kate.”

Kate looked up, eyes watery and confused. “This is your first day?”

“Yep.” She felt her cheeks heat.

“Why aren’t you a mess?” The girl looked dumbfounded and a little annoyed.

“I’ve known what I am since I was eleven.”

Her face crumpled. “Oh.”

“It will get better, Kate.” Eve’s gaze slid to the door, and no joke, the woman’s entire face lit up. Mia turned to see what had caused the transformation. A large male stood propped against the doorframe, his arms crossed over his massive chest. The faded black T-shirt he wore clung to his pecs and biceps, and his piercing green eyes were locked on Eve.

“How we doing?” he asked.

Eve squeezed Kate’s hand. “She’ll be fine. Isn’t that right, Kate?”

Kate sniffed and nodded.

Those bright green eyes slid to her.

“Mia,” she said, because the male demanded a response with just one look.

“This is my mate, Lazarus,” Eve said.

Mate? She liked the sound of that.

He pushed away from the door and strode over. “I know your sister, Chaya.”

“Please, don’t hold it against me,” she said, only half joking. She loved her sister more than anything, but she could be a handful at times…well, most of the time.

He smiled kindly. “Would have been helpful if she’d mentioned you.”

Mia’s face got hot again. “She’s protective of me. She thought she had it covered.”

He chuckled. “The female doesn’t lack confidence, I’ll give her that. Last I heard she was keeping Brent well and truly on his toes.”

“She talks about him all the time. He sounds like a good boss.”

He quirked a brow. “Does she now? All the time, you say?”