Jade licks her lips, dragging her eyes over my body. “Or we can have a little reunion, finish what we started.” She reaches out to run one of her claws down my chest. I pull in a harsh breath, not wanting her anywhere near me. I grab her hand and yank it away from me, twisting her wrist backwards, causing her to drop to her knees from the pain.
“Do not fucking touch me,” I spit out
Jade gives a strained laugh before shimmering to stand next to Mist. But she’s rubbing her wrist, so I know I hurt her. She’s lucky I didn’t snap the fucking thing off.
“What are you doing here?” I snap. I need to be careful; Macycannotknow Ari is alive.
Mist sniffs the air and licks her lips. “It smellsso sweetin here, Gaelan. A veryfamiliarkind of sweet.” My fingers flex in my anger, as both girls make an exaggerated show of sniffing the air and giggling. Mist smirks at me. “Did you let Macy know she’s alive? The Book Reader?”
Keeping my cool, I laugh. “As much as I wish that were true, it is not.”
Mist pouts. “Are you lying to us,pet?You know she won’t like it.”
Jade giggles and gestures toward the back of the restaurant. “What’s back there, Gaelan?”
I shimmer my daggers into my hand, my powers surging in my body like hot flames engulfed in gas. “You both need to leave before I make you,” I command. I’ve been in this position too many times in my life. I’ve killed for Ari on many occasions, and I would take great pleasure in killing these two cunts.
I move to take a step forward, but stop when a dagger flies through the air, almost hitting me on the side of my head. Luckily, they missed. It wouldn’t have killed me, but it would have hurt like hell. Growling, I narrow my eyes at the two girls before turning to look at the two daemons now standing on different sides of the restaurant.
My markings darken; they look like black slashes that swirl over my skin, the markings of a lord. My top lip curls back as I snarl. Quickly, I throw a dagger to the left as I shimmer to the right, one hand grabbing hold of the daemon’s head while the other presses a dagger to his neck. I push his head forward slowly, watching as my dagger slices into his flesh. There’s a slight resistance as I sever his trachea, carotid artery, and jugular vein, causing blood to spurt out and pour down my hand. The daemon gurgles as he slowly drowns in my hands. I drop him to the floor. Hearing a loud thud across the room, I turn my head. The other daemon has fallen to the floor dead. My other dagger was sticking out of his throat.
Twin blades
Twin actions.
They both burst into a cloud of dust.
Jade screams and sends a bolt of fire towards my head. I twist to avoid it, but she sends another that hits my arm and makes me stumble back. Trelor growls, and I can feel him pushing against me, desperate to get out so he can fight, wanting to make sure our mate is safe, but I hold him back.
For now.
I can handle these two, no problem. Jade shimmers from where she stands, and I lift my hand, wrapping my fingers around her neck as she appears before me. I squeeze tightly, making her eyes bug out. She claws at my hands, trying to get me to let go, but my hold is strong.“Leave,”Trelor’s voice joins mine in a threat.
I feel a sharp pain in my stomach, but ignore it as I throw Jade through the restaurant window, smashed glass raining down on the ground outside. She rolls as she hits the ground, coming up on her haunches with a hiss and a glare. Mist shimmers to her side and checks her for wounds. I take a step towards them, and a scream echoes in the night, making me pause.
Mist smirks at me. “Twenty-four hours, Gaelan. Must be the shortest time you’ve ever had her for.”
Jade grins. “Don’t worry, we’ll give Macy your regards. ”
A growl escapes me as I move to go after them, but they shimmer away. Mark comes out of the back room, panting and bleeding from a wound on his head.
“They took her.” He says, panicked
That’s the only thing he can say to instill genuine fear in me. I don’t ask any questions; I just shimmer to where I heard the scream. Ari stands in the alleyway; her dress torn, her hands covered in blood. The amber of her eyes glows brightly in the night. I see the dragon on her necklace curl back around the stone, and I can feel her powers in the air—the scent is so sweet.
“Gaelan?” Her voice is soft and confused as she steps towards me, stumbling. I shimmer and catch her before she passes out on the ground.
“Sir?” Mark is behind me, and I turn to face him.
“What happened?” I ask, my eyes never leaving Ari’s face.Thank the gods, she’s still breathing. I was terrified I had lost her again.
“We were talking when two daemons shimmered in,” he says, shaking his head. “Black eyes—Seekers.”
I hold My Rose tighter to me; they’re both lucky to be alive then. Seeker daemons are their own kind of hell.
Macy sent them.
“Go home, Mark. Cancel my trip tomorrow, I’ll meet you Monday at the hotel,” I order. Mark nods and heads for the car. “Mark?” He turns to face me, our eyes locking. “They know.” Dread fills my voice.
