Chapter Three
M alachi
The scent of him hit me first, sharp and intoxicating, before I turned to meet his sapphire gaze. Those innocent eyes stared back at me, unaware that a hungry predator was mere inches away.
And I was wounded, which made me far more dangerous. The scent of him wrapped around me like chains, pulling me deeper into hunger.
My vision blurred, the edges of Dane’s panicked face wavering like a mirage.
Maybe the human was, but his scent shattered that denial, daring me to draw closer, to claim what wasn’t mine to take.
“How did you even get in my car!”
Dane snapped his head around, as if someone would walk up on us and start demanding answers.
“Painfully.”
I gripped my gut, praying my entrails didn’t spill out. The demon was going to pay for what he’d done.
Just as soon as I healed.
“What am I supposed to do with you?”
Dane whispered as if someone would overhear him.
Absolutely nothing. If you were smart, you would take off and forget I existed.
The sight of his throat drew my gaze. The faint pulse beneath his skin thudded steadily, taunting me, daring me to sink my teeth into the fragile flesh and end the unbearable ache clawing at my insides. My body locked in place, muscles taut and trembling, every instinct screaming for me to lunge.
Instead, I gritted my teeth, the sharp tang of my own blood filling my mouth as I bit down hard enough to keep myself from losing control. Hunger clawed at me, vicious and relentless, each ragged inhale filling my lungs with the sweet, maddening scent of him. My vision dimmed again, but I refused to give in, keeping my hands fisted and away from him.
“Back pocket,”
I forced out, the words scraping against my throat like sandpaper. My fingers twitched, the restraint costing me more than the wounds ever could.
Dane leaned a little farther over the seat. His breath quickened, each inhale shallow and frantic. “You want me to dig in your pants?”
His gaze darted to my stomach wound. The light from the streetlamp glinted off sweat beginning to bead along his temple.
Hissing, I reached out and grazed his hand, intent on pulling him to me. But…the touch felt safe in a way I didn’t understand, causing me to forget the pain for just a moment. “I need you to focus, human.”
The effort to speak was draining what little energy I had left, but noticed Dane hadn’t flinched away. “You’ll want…Kyson.”
I shifted slightly, trying to ease the pressure on my wounds, but my body protested with a sharp jolt of pain. “Just…careful. The blade.”
“The blade.”
Dane pulled his hand back, his gaze darting to my side. “The one you pulled out and fought with.”
He swallowed. “That blade?”
I couldn’t believe how much damage I’d taken. All because my attention had been split with Dane walking out the fucking door. I would heal, but my wounds still hurt like hell. I’d been such a fool to allow my focus to stray for one second away from the demon.
My gaze darted to the human as his hand hovered uncertainly, his brow furrowing as he muttered, “This is a bad idea. This is such a bad idea.”
His delicate fingers pulled away from my hand then moved toward my pocket, only to pull back when his wrist grazed the hilt of my sword.
“Don’t… worry. Won’t… bite.”
The words were a lie I could barely tell myself. His wrist brushed my sword, and the faint tremor it sent through me wasn’t from pain—it was from the scent that clung to him.
Pure, rich, and dangerously close, it pricked at my control like a thousand tiny needles. I gritted my teeth, the ache in my jaw barely holding back the predator fighting to get free.
He licked his lips then reached for my pocket. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
he said under his breath. “I can do this.”
The way the male was trying to talk himself into reaching into my pocket was intriguing. I didn’t dare move. My wounds were too severe, and I needed blood.
His blood.
But… My brows creased a little, curious with myself, unable to understand why I was holding back. Armies had fallen at my hands, kingdoms had been ruled under me, yet I was denying myself the blood I needed to heal.
And this…this human was what gave me pause?
Curious indeed.
His fingers slid over the fabric of my leather pants, and I could feel their warmth seep into my skin.
“Careful.”
It wasn’t the sword I was warning him about. Not this time. He had leaned in closer, the ambrosia of his blood tempting my nature to strike, to take what I needed. The sound of his heartbeat, of the blood rushing through his veins caused my fangs to lengthen, just a little.
“You didn’t tell me it was the other pocket,”
the male huffed.
The barest curl of my lips caused the side of my mouth to twitch. “I never said which side.”
It was like toying with my food.
“Hang on.”
Dane pulled back then slipped from the car. I took a deep breath, snarling when pain lacerated my stomach. The only reason I was at that restaurant was to track Osiris.
A demon I’d run across five years ago by accident. He’d had a victim on a wooden table in some dank basement, torturing the guy. Osiris had gotten away, but I’d made damn sure it was without the male.
Since that night, he’d been on my radar.
Attacking him in the restaurant hadn’t been my intention. Not when so much cattle had been around me, but he’d forced my hand. Although Osiris had possessed someone, I’d known it was him.
Demons had to find a host, because their true forms were too grotesque to blend in.
The tray of food had been subterfuge, a way to search for Osiris without rousing suspicion. Humans were easily frightened when faced with the terrifying truth.
They were not the only beings to walk the planet.
The back door flew open, redirecting my thoughts. Dane bent in, his hand gliding to my other pocket.
I clenched my jaw. Forced myself not to move. Denied myself even a single breath.
His fingers slid into my leathers, warm and soft, then he pulled the phone free. Our eyes locked before his gaze lowered to my lips.
“Who was I supposed to call?”
He shivered, as if forcing himself to concentrate.
“Kyson.”
I frowned when my phone was thrust inches from my face. “What are you doing?”
“I have to unlock it,”
he said as if it should’ve been obvious. The phone made a faint click sound, then he pulled his hand back. “Whoa. You have such a cool background.”
“I didn’t ask you to be nosy,”
I snarled.
Dane’s sapphire gaze snapped to mine, holding a glint of defiance. “If I have to dig down some guy’s pants, I get to look at whatever I want.”
Pain roared through me, causing my vision to fade. As hard as I tried to hold onto consciousness, I lost the battle.