“Is that so?” Kane lifted a brow. “You worked for Cincinnati Metro?”
“Sure did,” Theo said proudly. “From the day I graduated from the academy to the day I retired.”
“Then you’ve seen a lot.” Kane nodded respectfully.
“Son, I’ve seen it all and some of it I still can’t believe.” Theo shook his head, then chuckled. “You deal with demons, don’t you?” The man definitely didn’t beat around the bush; he was blunt and to the point.
“Mostly, yes.” Kane glanced toward Monica, who was throwing a stick for Knox like it was the first easy breath she’d taken all day.
“Well, let me tell you,” Theo said, lowering his voice like he was sharing classified information. “I had a run-in with one of those things once. Nasty bastard. Smelled like death and looked worse. I thought I was done for until some big vampire came out of nowhere and saved my sorry ass. I asked him if he was a Warrior. He said, and I quote, ‘fuck no,’ and then vanished. Never got a name.”
Kane laughed. “Yeah, that sounds about right. Every Guardian I know reacts the same way when they’re mistaken for Warriors.”
“Dark Guardians.” Theo scratched at his chin. “Name fits. Why aren’t you fellas known like the Warriors?”
“We prefer it that way,” Kane said with a smirk. “And humans have an easier time handling vampires than demons running loose.”
“I’ve met a few scary vampires in my day. But I won’t bore you with old-man stories.” His expression softened when Monica walked back over. “If you need anything, let me know.”
“I will.” She kissed his whiskered cheek. “Same goes for you.”
“You be careful, Monica. I’m glad you have someone like him on your side.” Theo’s voice dipped low with sympathy. “And I’m really sorry about Beverly.”
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“Now go on,” he said, backing away. “I won’t keep you any longer.”
“I’m heading to my brother’s with Knox,” Monica said, brightening a little. “But why don’t you come over tomorrow for an early dinner?”
Theo lit up like Christmas. “You know I’ve never turned down a meal.” He bent to pat Knox’s head. “I’ll see you then.”
Theo gave a final wave and headed back toward his porch, leaving Monica and Kane alone except for Knox, who trotted proudly at Monica’s side like he was escorting royalty.
“Come on,” Monica said softly. “Let’s get inside. I want to feed Knox and change, then we can go.”
Kane followed her in, the door creaking softly, a sound that felt fitting somehow. Monica didn’t live in a place that tried too hard. No need for curated perfection or trendy bullshit. The house had a quiet ease, warm and lived in.
The living room was small, but everything had a purpose. A worn couch with a throw blanket draped as if she’d actually used it, not staged. A coffee table with a tiny chip at one corner that she clearly didn’t give a damn about. It was the kind of space that didn’t apologize for not being bigger or fancier. It simply existed, steady and comfortable. He respected the hell out of that.
Knox barreled past them like a dog on a mission and slammed his face into his water bowl, drinking so aggressively that it echoed through the room. Monica tossed her bag onto the couch and exhaled, the tension bleeding from her shoulders now that she was finally home.
“Nice place,” Kane said.
“Thanks.” She pulled open a closet and came out with Knox’s food bag, refilling the empty bowl beside the water. She set the bag on the counter and took in the room with a soft, almost wistful look. “It’s home.”
It was more than that, he realized. This was her safe zone. Her soft place to land. It showed in her face as she stood there looking more relaxed than he had ever seen her.
Knox wandered back to him, his tail low and eyes curious. Kane crouched and held out a hand. The dog sniffed, then pushed his head right into Kane’s palm like he’d been waiting all day for this exact moment.
Monica’s eyebrows lifted. “Wow. He never warms up to people this fast.” A small smile touched her mouth. “He likes you.”
Kane looked at her instead of the dog. Her smile hit different. It was fragile at the edges, red-rimmed eyes giving away the storm beneath. She loved this animal. She loved hard, period; he knew that for a fact after seeing her with her family and her neighbor. And anyone who threatened her, or anyone she loved, would be dead with no hesitation on his part and no second thoughts.
“Okay,” she said with a loud sigh. “Let me change, and then I’ll be ready.”
“Take your time.”
She disappeared down the hall, and Knox trotted after her, abandoning Kane without shame. He didn’t mind. It gave him a moment.