Page 90 of Guardian

Not losing any time, Logan made himself invisible and lunged after them. Inside the swirling mass of fog and mist it was dark, but his eyes could make out Winter’s form, and he snatched her hand and held on to it.

Transporting through a demon’s vortex felt the same as transporting through a Stealth Guardian’s portal, with one difference. Logan could hear the demon’s thoughts.

Goddamn it, why is it always me who has to follow orders?

Not much longer, Logan thought to himself.

Suddenly he felt Winter and the demon move, and realized they’d arrived and were stepping out of the vortex. Logan, still invisible, followed them, holding Winter’s hand. The vortex closed behind them and Logan saw where they’d landed: in a warehouse district close to the water.

Not wanting to take any chances, Logan let go of Winter’s hand and pulled out his dagger. Without making a sound, he approached the demon and stabbed the dagger into his heart. There was a gurgling sound, then the demon’s dead body fell to the ground, making a satisfying thump.

Finally able to breathe, Logan turned to Winter and made himself visible. She threw herself into his arms without hesitation.

“Oh God,” she said tearfully. “I was so scared. I thought you were going to stay down there. I thought you wouldn’t make it.”

He rubbed his hands over her back. “And leave you in the hands of a demon? Not a chance.”

“You came. After everything that happened, you came to save me.” She sniffled.

He drew back a little. This was the moment he’d dreaded most. Because despite having saved Winter from the demons, he’d done something that he wasn’t sure she could ever forgive.

Logan wiped a tear from her cheek. “Winter, I need to tell you something. The way we left things…” He dropped his arms to release her. “Your grandmother. I did kill her. I’m sorry. I wish I could say that it wasn’t me. That I didn’t do it. But I did. I had to. Not because I was ordered to, but because she was already gone. They already had her. She’d succumbed to them.”

He dropped his head so he didn’t have to look at her anymore. Didn’t have to see the hatred in her eyes.

A soft hand suddenly caressed his cheek and he snapped his head back up to stare at Winter.

“I already know. Zoltan told me. I think he wanted to prove to me that everybody eventually submits, even a woman as good as my grandmother.” She paused. “He also told me that he used me as the bargaining chip. It was my fault, Logan, my fault that my grandmother succumbed to them. Zoltan threatened her with hurting me if she didn’t give in. She did it for me, you see.” She shook her head. “It wasn’t your fault. You did what you had to do. And knowing what I know now, I would have done it myself, as much as it would have hurt me.” Tears streamed down her face now.

Logan pulled her into his arms. “I’m so sorry, Winter, I’m so sorry you had to find out and go through all this. I wish I could have spared you this pain.”

She sobbed against his chest. “I’m so sorry I didn’t trust you enough.”

“It’s all good now, love, it’s all good. You’re safe now, and I’m going to keep it that way.”

She lifted her head and smiled at him through her tears. “You still have green eyes.”

“Sorry about that. Wes didn’t say how long the potion would last.” He brought one hand to her face. “Do you mind if I kiss you anyway, even though I look like a demon?”

He’d barely finished his sentence, when Winter’s lips were on his and she was kissing him. He responded to her immediately, pulling her even tighter into his embrace, not wanting to ever let her go again.

“Well, looks like it all went well then,” a familiar male voice suddenly said from a few feet away.

Reluctantly, Logan severed the kiss and turned his head to see Wesley and Virginia approaching.

“Your timing sucks, Wes,” Logan said with a smirk.

“I can see that,” Wes replied and exchanged a look with his wife.

Virginia stared right into Logan’s eyes. “Still green like those of a demon. If I didn’t know you were one of us, I’d be stabbing you with my dagger right now.”

Logan smiled at her. “You do have a very talented husband.”

Virginia glanced at Wes. “Oh, I know.”

Wes grinned. “I am. But the GPS device didn’t hold up. It went dead the moment the portal exploded. We had no idea if you made it or not. Until a few minutes ago, when the GPS kicked into high gear right here in San Francisco.”

“Guess it doesn’t work in the Underworld,” Logan said.

“Would have been too good to be true,” Virginia added, then nodded at Winter. “I’m glad you made it. But you know this isn’t the end.”

Winter sucked in a deep breath. “Will they let me live?”

Virginia gave her a reassuring smile. “It’s up to you now to convince the council members. You already have my vote.”

Logan sought Winter’s gaze. “We can do this.” Because failing wasn’t an option.