Miya's body tensed, putting Lesedi more on guard as a door beyond the table opened to crash against the wall. "Kassie!" A diminutive woman shrieked from the opening and launched herself across the table to drag Kassie into her arms. "Thank God you're safe! I was so worried."
Kassie sobbed and clutched the other woman to her, offering up prayers of thanks in between joyous laughter. Family?
While the two women dissolved into tears, the big guy with the shaven head and goatee came around the table and approached Lyght's little group. The air of danger that accompanied the man put Lesedi on immediate alert and he shifted a little, detecting a direct threat.
The man moved like a predatory beast circling a wounded animal, moving in for the kill. Despite the tangible threat, he wore a wide grin as he halted before their diamond… savior? Captor? Employer? Something else entirely?
"Thank you, Brother." The threatening aura faded a bit as the guy drew Lyght near for a quick almost-embrace. "My mate and I are grateful to you for bringing Kassie to her safely."
Lesedi felt like a voyeur, intruding on the private moment between the two men. He shuffled his feet a bit and turned a little, and in the process his gaze dropped down to Miya. His stomach jerked a little. Her intent stare upon him pried at his nature as if seeking out all his secrets.
Something, maybe instinct, pulled Lesedi into the dark liquid depths of her gaze and his surroundings fell away to nothingness in comparison to his need for her. He recognized Miya's initial reaction to avert her eyes but she resisted; perhaps she was held by his own hungry gaze, transfixed and utterly incapable of resistance, a mirror of her effect on him. He liked seeing her become helpless by his proximity. He wanted her helpless. Beneath him.
Lyght chuckled and slapped the guy's shoulder, the sound returning Lesedi's attention to those around him. The bald guy grinned, silvery eyes sparkling. Was this one an angel too? It seemed likely. Obviously he held a far higher opinion of Lyght than his sweet Miya did. Although, judging by her countenance now, her estimation of the angel currently approached genuine awe.
Kassie turned a little with the smaller woman in her arms, toward the guy who'd approached Lyght. "Toren, thank you for taking care of my girl. But I wish you'd told me everything. I wouldn't have worried so much."
The man stepped in and drew both Kassie and his wife into his arms. "It's good to see you safe, Kassie."
Miya watched the petite woman in Kassie's embrace closely, as if reminded of someone. "Sam?" Miya angled her head at the woman. "Is that you?" Her tone announced clear doubt and determination to prove her eyesight faulty.
The woman raised her head and turned. "Miya? Oh my God! Miya!" She smiled through her tears of joy and relief. "Wow, I can't believe it, this is perfect. You're going to love it here."
The guy with all the red on cleared his throat, suddenly near enough to touch, startling Lesedi. How had the man—angel?—come so close without him seeing? Normally Lesedi sensed nearby movement right away, a kind of sixth sense, and being caught unaware that way proved to be disconcerting.
He met the man's stare—were his eyes really red?—as directly as possible. He moved around Lesedi and Miya, looking them over like a jungle king considering whether a prey animal was worthy to kill and eat, or useful only to hike his leg and urinate on. Something awful about the man suggested being pissed on was the preferable choice. A ruthless and incomprehensible power emanated from him and encompassed Lesedi until a dire urge to pray took hold of him. Pray they be spared and passed over.
Lesedi followed the man's movement, turning to continue facing him. His deepening scowl seemed to suggest his preliminary decision involved hiking his leg. The red man came closer, towering over them, and Miya clutched Lesedi's hand in what felt like a plea for protection. Lesedi knew unequivocally that any request for assistance from proud Miya came from her subconscious mind. Regardless, he closed his hand around Miya's and put himself between her and the threat. As strong and independent though she was, her body automatically accepted the shelter and protection he offered, evident only in a subtle shift of her position.
The red man paused, broke into a smile and turned away. "Lyght, you haven't bonded with your humans yet?"
The guy's tone rubbed Lesedi the wrong way but rather than voice his annoyance he merely squeezed Miya's fingers gently in suspicion she might feel the same way. The subject of bonding of any sort was liable to be a sore point with her, given her earlier anger. Although the fantastic nature of the situation seemed to have taken a little salt out of that wound.
At least she had not yet resorted to haranguing Lyght again. Angel or not, Lesedi suspected Miya would relish scolding the red man about the lack of manners he displayed by publicly delving into their sex lives.