Rogue Darkness by Dianne Duvall

“Yeah.” Ignoring Nicole’s frown, he backed up and motioned for the other woman to enter. “Come on in.”

Tessa stepped inside, her gaze flitting to Nicole as Sean closed the door.

Tessa was about the same height as Nicole. The standard garb most Immortal Guardians and Seconds preferred hugged her slender form tonight. Long auburn hair flowed down her back in thick waves, complementing hazel eyes and pretty features. No unconcealed weapons adorned her. She also lacked the long coat immortals wore that tended to hide a small arsenal.

Tessa dipped her chin in a nod of greeting. Her gaze took in the vest and weapons adorning Nicole, then slid to the rifle leaning against the wall nearby. “I’m unarmed.”

Perhaps. “You’re also as fast and strong as an ancient.”

“Nicole,” Sean warned.

“No,” Tessa said. “She’s right to be wary.” Clasping her hands in front of her, she shifted restively.

Nicole frowned. Was she nervous?

“That’s actually why I’m here.” Tessa straightened her shoulders and raised her chin, seeming to bolster herself. “I came to apologize for what happened… for what I did that night. I’ve wanted to apologize—to both of you—ever since I realized…” Closing her eyes, she sighed and shook her head. “Ever since I realized how wrong I’d been to trust Gershom.”

His features softening, Sean rested a hand on Tessa’s shoulder.

Nicole fought an urge to object.

“It wasn’t your fault,” he told her gently.

When Tessa opened her eyes, they sparkled with tears. “I wanted you dead that night, Sean. I wanted you to suffer. I wanted you all to suffer.”

“Because Gershom made you think Seth killed your brother,” Sean pointed out.

“He also told us to take you alive that night, but I would’ve decapitated you if Nicole hadn’t stopped me.” She turned to Nicole. “And that dagger I threw would’ve pierced your heart if you hadn’t turned away quickly enough. I would’ve killed you both and felt no remorse.” Her throat worked in a swallow. “That knowledge haunts me. It’s why I avoid you every time you come to network headquarters. Because seeing you makes me face what I had become.”

Well, hell. Now Nicole felt bad about expecting the worst.

“You became what Gershom made you, Tessa,” Sean said without condemnation, “through no fault of your own. You were a pawn in his twisted plot to destroy Seth and kick-start Armageddon. That bastard wanted to watch the world burn and was exceptionally adept at fucking with people’s heads. He even managed to pit Roland against Aidan. And Roland is almost a thousand years old. If Gershom could manipulate someone his age and with his experience, why do you think you should have been immune to it?”

Tessa stared at him, unspeaking.

Sean dropped his hand. “Look, we’re good, Tessa. I don’t hold what happened against you. The more time you spend with us, the faster you’ll realize that the Immortal Guardians family is a forgiving lot. Hell, Krysta tried to kill Étienne when she first met him. Twice.”

Her eyes widened. “Isn’t Étienne her husband?”

“Yeah. And he doesn’t hold it against her. One time when Richart lost consciousness, John wanted to shove his ass out into the sun.”

“I thought Richart was John’s stepdad.”

“He is.”

Her brow puckered. “They don’t get along?”

“They do now. But at the time, John thought Richart was a vampire and wanted to protect Jenna.”

“Oh.”

Nicole relaxed a little, Sean’s words even beginning to convince her.

“And let’s not forget,” he added, “that Nicole here shot the shit out of you that night.”

Tessa looked at Nicole. “Do you feel remorse?”

“For shooting you? Hell no,” she answered honestly.

A hint of amusement brightened Tessa’s features. “I don’t blame you.”

“I did, however, feel remorse for calling you a bitch when I did it.” Nicole glanced from Tessa to Sean and back. “Is that weird?”

“Yes,” Tessa and Sean both responded, then laughed.

Why did that cause Nicole’s unease to return with a vengeance?

“You see?” Sean said with a smile. “You fit right in.”

“Thank you,” Tessa said, her relief palpable. “Both of you. Especially you, Nicole. Thank you for preventing me from killing Sean.”

Nicole shrugged. “No problem. It’s my job. I’d do it again.”

Tessa smiled.

Nicole schooled her features into a grim mask. “No, seriously.” The words emerged heavy with warning. “I’d do it again.”

All levity fled Tessa’s features as her eyes widened with alarm.

Even Sean looked uncertain as his gaze flitted back and forth between them.

Nicole winked. “Gotcha,” she said with a grin.

Both laughed, the tension melting from their forms.

“If anyone’s going to kill Sean, it’ll be me,” Nicole declared as she narrowed her eyes at him. “He keeps eating all my food.”

He groaned. “I’m sorry I ate your lasagna.”

“Too little, too late, buddy.”