“It’s not funny, you know. I was doing just fine before I got involved with demons.”
“And there’s your problem.”
“What?”
I turned, facing him head as he prowled even closer. Soon, he’d be close enough to touch. “You still think it was coming into contact with my people that caused all your problems. And the most remarkable thing of all, is that you believe you were doing ‘just fine.’ You’re so obsessed with your mother’s murder that you stole from one of the most dangerous paranormals in this country. You took the chance that you could sneak past my dragon, all in the hope of—what— vengeance?”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. Don’t tell me you don’t have scores to settle yourself.”
“Are you presuming to be as long-lived and powerful as I?”
“Of course not.”
He quirked a brow, entirely too entertained by me. But his eyes turned serious, intent. “Until you accept that your power would have manifested anyway— you can’t take back control.” He’d somehow moved even closer to me and I hadn’t noticed. His scent wafted toward me, enticing me to take that final step.
I heard what he was saying, but it was a bit too convenient for me. “So you’re the answer to all my problems?” I was being belligerent, and it wasn’t like me. Pettiness, I excelled at. Belligerence, not so much. But my life had gotten overly complicated, and I needed someone to blame.
“No, little witch. But I’m the man who’s making sure you learn to use your power. I’m keeping you alive.”
I stiffened at that, and his eyes narrowed on my face. “You may thank me however you please, witchling.”
I gave him the look that ludicrous comment deserved and he canted his head, running his gaze over my body. “That suppression spell would’ve crumbled eventually. Likely at the most inconvenient time possible. And you would’ve been all alone, with no idea what was happening to you, with no way to regain control. Your magic flares with great emotion. Who brings that emotion out in you, hmm?”
He knew about my sister. He’d done his research alright. “You son of a bitch.”
“Careful, bounty hunter. I let you get away with a lot. But evenIhave limits.”
“You don’t let me get away with a damn thing.”
“I let you get away with more than you know. I break all my rules for you, Danica.”
I didn’t know what to do with that. I was breaking all my rules for him as well. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be standing on this balcony.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“I’m centuries old, and with you, I feel like a teenage human boy. It’s not a comfortable place for me to be in, and it’s dangerous for you.”
“Dangerous how?”
He gave me a slow smile that made me want to climb him like a tree.
“Why did you come here?”
“Why are you changing the subject?”
He shook his head, obviously tired of me, and turned away. The dismissive move made fury burn through me. It was as if someone else was in control of my body and I watched myself stalk after him, my hand poised to shove him in the back.
The tip of my fingers found impossibly soft feathers, and Samael was suddenly facing me, in a move almost too fast to see. I froze, and the hair on the back of my arms lifted at that unearthly speed.
I was fast. It was my best quality– the one that kept me alive when I went up against paranormals who were way out of my weight class. But he was faster, stronger, and much, much more powerful. Was that why I was so entranced with him?
Samael leaned down, until his face was inches from mine. His eyes were icy. “Don’t presume to touch what isn’t yet yours, witchling.”
I snarled and my hand whipped out, wrapping around his neck, as I pulled his mouth to mine.
From the way he tensed, I’d surprised him. But he took a microsecond to recover, and then I was in his arms, his hands planted beneath my butt, my legs wrapped around his waist.
He carried me from the balcony, and a moment later I was on his massive bed, staring up at the ceiling as he pressed open-mouthed kisses to my neck. He’d lined himself up against me, and my eyes nearly rolled into the back of my head at the feel of him so close, and yet so far. His mouth found mine once more, and I was drunk on the taste of him, on the feel of his tongue, thrusting against mine.
