Chapter Three
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TEX DIDN’T THINK HE had a choice. He could turn and leave, but he suspected that his mate would try to come after him.
It made sense. Nymon had no way to know that they were mates, but even though he was a demon, he could probably feel the bond between them.
It would make him want to spend time with Tex and be as close to him as possible, just like it did for Tex.
The only difference was that Tex knew what it was.
Tex didn’t want to leave his mate, and he hoped he wouldn’t have to.
For now, they were both here, and Tex had to make a decision.
He could still hear the people he’d been spying on talking.
They were too close for comfort. They might not have a reason to enter the forest, but one of them might, or Tex or Nymon could make a sound that would alert them that someone was there.
No, if Tex and Nymon were going to talk, they needed to do so away from town.
Nymon had a home, but Tex couldn’t remember exactly how to get there, and he suspected it would take too much time.
The best thing he could do was put more distance between them and the town and shift once he was sure no one would notice.
He took a step back, then another. Nymon frowned and reached for him, but Tex didn’t stop.
He was relieved when Nymon came after him as he walked away.
He didn’t argue or ask what was going on.
He just followed as if he trusted Tex, which didn’t make sense but made a lot of sense at the same time.
Nymon’s soul knew he could trust Tex, even though he’d never even seen his face.
They were silent as they walked, and Tex made sure not to go too fast so that Nymon could follow him easily. Nymon had lived here all of his life, though. He moved through the forest as if he belonged, and he did.
“No one ever comes this deep,” Nymon eventually said. “It’s too close to the shield, and most people prefer to stay away from it. It makes us feel sick if we try to cross it.”
Nymon was saying that as if it was completely normal, but Tex hadn’t realized that was the case. He’d thought that the only people who felt sick when crossing the shield was people trying to get in. Apparently, the same went for anyone trying to leave, and it was good information to have.
He stopped moving and turned to face his mate.
Nymon was waiting patiently for Tex to make his decision.
He didn’t look anything but calm and settled.
Tex wanted to kiss him, but it wouldn’t be possible in his wolf form, and he didn’t want to freak out the man standing in front of him before they could even talk.
He sucked in a breath and shifted. He didn’t have a choice, and he wanted to talk to his mate. He wanted to find out more about him than his name and the fact that he had a best friend. He wanted to know everything, and the intensity of that emotion scared him a bit.
“There you are,” Nymon murmured. His cheeks were flushed, and he was making an obvious effort not to stare at Tex.
His gaze was above Tex’s shoulder, directed toward the trees behind him.
He probably didn’t understand that Tex didn’t care if he saw him naked.
He was used to being naked around people, and Nymon was his mate.
If there was someone who should see Tex naked, it was him.
Tex hoped he hadn’t made the wrong decision. Nymon might be his mate, but Tex didn’t know if he could trust him. He wouldn’t find out for a while.
“I’m curious about demons,” Tex declared.
Nymon blinked. “I’m sorry?”
“You were wondering why I was here. I was curious about demons.” It was only part of the truth. It wasn’t the most important part, which was that he was here to spy on people, but even though he desperately wanted to tell Nymon everything, he had to be careful.
“And that was enough to make you cross the shield? Didn’t you feel ill?”
“I did.” Tex rubbed the back of his neck. “But I was told about it, so I expected it. I knew that if I pushed forward, I’d come out of it in Starhaven.”
Nymon blinked. “Who told you that? Do you know demons?”
“Not me, but a friend does.” Tex supposed that was a way to describe his boss.
“And those demons told him how to get into Starhaven?”
“They told him where Starhaven is and that he’d feel sick if he tried coming in. He told me, and I decided to give it a try.”
“Because you’re curious about demons.”
“I am. I always wanted to see one of your towns.” That wasn’t a lie, either. Tex also couldn’t wait to get out of this town, though. He hated that he was lying to his mate. He wanted to be honest, but he knew better.
Nymon slowly nodded. “I guess that makes sense. I’ve always been curious about shifters.”
“I can tell you anything you want to know about shifters.”
“Well, I thought they’d be more diffident of people they don’t know.”
Was Tex too eager? Probably. He wasn’t sure how to stop himself from doing that, though. He wasn’t just talking to a guy. Nymon was his mate. Anyone would expect him to be eager, but of course, Nymon didn’t know. How could he?
“I’m feeling a little awkward right now,” Nymon said. “You don’t seem to care that you’re naked, but I don’t usually talk to people who are. I’m not quite sure how to behave.”
“Normally,” Tex told him. “I can shift back if it makes you more comfortable.”
“But then you wouldn’t be able to answer my questions.”
“You have questions for me?”
Nymon cocked his head. “Don’t you have questions for me? Isn’t that why you’re here?”
The number of questions Tex had for Nymon would probably scare Nymon, so Tex kept them in. “I do. I’m not sure how to do this, though. I kind of have to be in my human form to talk, and I don’t have clothes with me.”
Nymon sighed. “I don’t even know your name.”
“Tex. My name is Tex.”
Nymon nodded. “I told you mine the other day.”
“Nymon.” Tex would never forget it. As far as he was concerned, it was the most perfect name he’d ever heard.
This was getting ridiculous, wasn’t it?
“Well, Tex, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine.”
“I want you to know that I won’t tell anyone you’re here.”
“Other than your best friend,” Tex said with a smile.
“Yeah, that cat’s out of the bag. I can’t stick it back in, but I promise that Kael won’t tell anyone. He’d be too scared of someone using it against him.”
Tex frowned. “How?”
Nymon shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s always been a bit high-strung.”
“And you’re not? What would happen to you if someone were to find out you know I’m here?” Because it was something Tex worried about. He could defend himself, but could Nymon?
“Well, people wouldn’t be happy. They never are when shifters are involved. They wouldn’t hurt me or anything like that, though. I’d probably be given a stern talking to, and I’d have to give you up, but I wouldn’t do that.”
“Why not? I’m not supposed to be here. I’m invading your home.”
Nymon smiled. Tex wanted to kiss him.
“I wouldn’t call it invading since there’s only you, but I don’t care.
I don’t think that demons should isolate themselves and each other the way we are.
I think we should live with everyone else and talk to them just like I’m talking to you.
” He frowned. “Although maybe I shouldn’t be talking to you. I don’t know if I can trust you.”
“You can,” Tex said in a trembling voice. He knew that his word wouldn’t be enough for Nymon to believe him, but he’d show him. He’d show Nymon that he could be trusted and that he could be a good mate.
* * * *
NYMON WAS PRETTY SURE that Tex wasn’t telling the entire truth.
He wasn’t surprised or offended. Tex didn’t trust him, but then, he didn’t have a reason to trust him, just like Nymon didn’t have a reason to trust Tex.
Whatever reason Tex had to be here, Nymon didn’t think it was a bad one, or rather, he didn’t think that Tex was here to hurt anyone.
He could be wrong, but he didn’t think he was, and that could be a problem.
His mother had always told him that he was too trusting.
He hoped he wasn’t about to get killed in the woods, but maybe it would be better if he kept a careful distance from Tex, just in case.
But he wasn’t going to miss an opportunity he would probably never have again.
He’d never met anyone who lived outside of Starhaven.
He couldn’t leave the town, so he’d probably never find out what it was like to live outside of it, but maybe he could ask questions.
Maybe he could live vicariously through Tex.
Tex wasn’t here just because he was curious about demons, but if he wanted to keep up the pretense, he might tell Nymon about shifters and how life was outside of Starhaven.
Besides, he’d probably need Nymon’s help.
He’d never be able to continue hiding around town without it.
How long had he been here? Had he been sleeping in the forest in his wolf form? As comfortable as that might be, Tex wasn’t only a wolf shifter. He was also human, and he probably wouldn’t say no to a bit of human comfort, like a shower and hot food. That was something that Nymon could provide.
It would mean letting Tex into his home, though. Was it something he was willing to do?
Yes. Kael would yell at him if he found out about it, but he wasn’t here right now. No one else was. No one else knew about Tex, and Nymon intended to keep things that way.
He crossed his arms over his chest and considered his problem.
It would be safer for both of them to have their conversation in Nymon’s home where no one would overhear them or walk in on them.
They weren’t anywhere close to town, and people didn’t usually come this far into the forest, but someone might.
“I think we should go to my house,” he said.
Tex cocked his head. “Why?”
“Because this conversation would be more comfortable for both of us if we didn’t have to be careful of our surroundings.”