Secondhand Garagyre

Chapter 38

Chapter Thirty-Eight

PAISLEY

“ Oh , good! We got here early enough to get a good spot! We can lower the tailgate and sit on it. That way, we don’t have to fight the crowd!” I cheer as I guide my vehicle into a parking spot.

I can’t say that I’m not a little apprehensive about running into Rulzik , but Laithog has assured me he won’t risk a confrontation with so many human witnesses around. So , we should be safe enough as long as we are in a crowd or on my property.

Traveling to and from town, however, is a problem. Laithog hasn’t just been looking around in curiosity on our trips back and forth from town. He’s been surveying the terrain to ascertain where an ambush might most likely occur at. It’s a marked difference between how our minds work and how we grew up. The rural county roads are a perfect place for an ambush, or that’s what Laithog said on our way to town this evening.

Thankfully , my parents live in town and don’t have to drive anywhere as rural as I do.

My parents!

What if Rulzik goes after my parents?! How could I have been so stupid and selfish?!

Laithog must feel my alarm because he looks over, concern on his glamoured face as he asks, “ Paisley , what is wrong? I can feel your apprehension and terror.”

Putting the truck in park, I unbuckle my seatbelt, then reach over and frantically grab his hand. “ Will Rulzik go after my parents?”

His slight hesitation tells me the answer before his words do. “ Yes . That is something he is capable of. He would use them to lure you out from the protection of my wards and my sphere of bodily protection. He is a demon and is not capable of love in the sense that we know it, so he would not care for you to have any attachments other than him. Ultimately , he would most likely kill your parents, even if you begged for their lives.”

He must feel my bone deep terror as my eyes begin to water because he quickly adds. “ But you need not worry. Since you have fed me regularly, I was able to perform tracking spell and located where your parents reside. I set the wards on their home shortly after we returned home from our confrontation with Rulzik . I knew that you would want them protected, so after you fell asleep, I flew to their home and warded it as well as their vehicle. ”

Laithog’s reassuring words erase my worry. Reaching up with my free hand, I caress his delightfully textured jaw. “ Thank you. You’ve no idea how much better that makes me feel.”

Leaning further into my touch, he smiles and looks at me. His gaze is full of tenderness. “ You forget, little flame. I can feel your emotions. I know exactly how you feel, and you are most welcome. It is no small thing to protect your loved ones. I want the opportunity to know your matriarch and patriarch. This I cannot do if Rulzik takes them from you as he robbed you of your brother. I vow to the night gods that he will not deprive you of anyone or anything else you care for.”

Glancing out the driver’s side window, he peers around with overt curiosity before looking back at me. “ I must admit. I am most curious about this ceremony you’ve told me of. Electricity is a marvel that I’ve yet to fully comprehend.”

Laughing quietly, I reply. “ Yes , it is a marvel, for sure. It’s definitely something we take for granted now,” I add softly.

Warmth grows in my chest and I don’t know if it’s coming from him or me. Laithog leans forward and down, eyes focused on my lips when the unexpected appearance of a furry little head, followed by a pink tongue licking him from chin to cheekbone, makes him jerk back abruptly, a sibilant hiss escaping him. Baring his teeth at Pippin , the tongue happy offender, his glamour flickers, ever so slightly, with the depth of his annoyance.

“ Vexations ! If my mate did not love you, I would find a way to dispose of you both!” he snarls, wiping the dog saliva from his face with the back of his hand, an expression of intense disgust on his handsome faux human features.

Covering my mouth with both hands, I try to hold my snickers back so I don’t add insult to injury, forgetting for a brief moment that he can feel my humor at his expense. Snarling , he seizes both my hands with his invisible tail, pulling them down from my mouth as one of his huge hands grabs my braid while the other grips my throat.

Pulling me to him, part of my body draped across the console, I absently note that I can’t see Merry of Pippin in the back seat. He must have his wing blocking them from accessing the console. The hand on my throat tightens, almost imperceptibly, and brings my full attention back to my disgruntled mate. Opening my mouth, I start to say something to sooth his ruffled feathers, but before I can get a word out, his tongue invades my mouth, almost punishing in its intensity. A hint of his mating purr rattles out of his throat, causing my body to go limp in submission.

His rumble of satisfactions fills the cab of the truck. Ripping his mouth from mine, he stares down at me, irritation still stamped across his face as I pant for breath still held captive within his grasp. His calloused hands are gentle, his strength tempered by the feelings he has for me.

“ It must be said, my precious Paisley . I do not like your dogs. ”