Kain knew she’d realized what her scent was doing to him, her small breaths and the sound of the scratchy motel sheets as she looked at him betraying her anxiety that he might react like his instincts had been screaming for him to.
It had taken all his considerable willpower not to pin her down, rip the fabric clean off her body, and fuck her into oblivion once that sweet, heady smell of her arousal hit his nostrils and made every cell in his body ache.
He shot her an ungrateful glare out the corner of his eye. The little Breeder was contentedly humming in the passenger seat as he maneuvered the car through the busy city, watching the world go by as if she had not a care in the world. How was she so fucking calm? Kain himself felt every nerve stand at attention, his senses hyper alert as he watched for other demons. Yet Selma… Selma had been calm ever since he woke her up, all traces of fear and anxiety gone for reasons unbeknownst to him.
Perhaps it was just the result of a good night's sleep, because while he had sat awake, staring at her passed out form and struggling with the onslaught of mixed emotions and raw desire her presence brought up in him, she had slept peacefully.
And through it all, his instincts were practically purring with contentment that the Breeder in his care finally trusted him to protect her. It was maddening.
“Are we close?” She looked out of the passenger side window as if searching for the demons she could no longer see while he pulled into a parking lot. “And is it demon-free?”
“Yes and yes, as far as I can tell.” Kain turned off the engine and looked over at her. “Listen, if things go wrong, I want you to stay calm and close, okay? I will talk us out of any trouble if I can, and if not, I will fight. Most likely, things will run smoothly. Just be prepared.”
She nodded obediently, and slid out of the car.
* * *
Her newfound calm remained as he guided them through the crowd, one arm securely wrapped around her shoulders as he scouted for potential trouble.
“No demons around then?” she asked again, offering him a smile that would have distracted him from his vigilance if he’d let it.
“Over there,” he murmured, indicating a couple of demons who were watching them from a distance. “They don’t look like trouble, though. Just keeping an eye on me.”
As much as he’d dampened his natural power, there was a limit to what he could do. Demons didn’t get fooled by human disguises, after all, and anyone who saw him would have no doubt he was a Lord—a Lord who didn’t belong in this territory.
He shot the two a hard look, silently reminding them that he could end them if he wanted to, before shifting his focus back to the crowd. With any luck, they’d not want to get involved in a potential dispute between him and the Lord residing over this territory, and would keep their mouths shut, at least until he had Selma safely out of there.
“You know, this is the first time I’ve been able to walk among this many people and not worry,” she hummed.
Kain shot her an incredulous look. He’d been very clear how dangerous this step of the plan was.
“When I was on the run, I’d never know if I was being stalked by a demon disguised as a human. And before that, I never knew if I’d see one. And if I’d stare too long—get his attention,” she explained, leaning her head against his arm as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Hot, heavy need coiled low in his belly at the little Breeder’s obvious display of trust, his mind fogging with urges to show her how else he could please her. He knew her own instincts were likely being lulled by his presence, that she was predisposed to his pheromones. They’d been in each other’s company for long enough now that his magic would be messing with the mark she’d been branded with. But that knowledge did little to help him concentrate while she was snuggled up to him.
“Stop that,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “I need my head clear.”
She looked up at him, startled by his tone, but understanding broke behind her pretty eyes at the look of hunger in his.
“Oh.” A hefty blush spread across her cheeks and she pulled her head back with a jerk. “Sorry!”
Kain breathed deeply next to her, trying to get his body back under control. This was too important for him to let himself get distracted—one moment’s inattentiveness and he risked being snuck up on.
“Fucking Breeders,” he muttered under his breath.
“Well, 'fucking demons' right back,” she snapped. “It’s not like I choose for my body to get all screwy around you!”
He barked a hoarse laugh and constricted his arm tighter around her for the briefest moment. He liked this version of her—unafraid and confident in his presence, a feat not even many fully grown demons managed.
“All right, little smart-mouth, we’re almost there.” Kain gave her a tight smile, nodding for her to turn her attention up the street.
He’d been here once before, and the memory of that time made his mood sour instantly. It was a small and dingy shop, currently empty of customers as he pulled Selma through the door, the little bell jingling merrily upon their entry.
Kain headed straight for the counter, where a slender man with bad skin was too busy fiddling with a magazine to look up at them.
“Fred.”
The man gave an odd sort of jolt at Kain’s near-growled greeting, his head bobbing up with a snap.
