“For what?”
“Everything. I said it before, but I’m saying it again. You’re amazing, Drax.”
Why does this feel like some kind of goodbye?
“Come back soon.”
He nods. “I will.”
Mac gets to his feet, gathers the velvet bag with the amulet in it, and walks toward the door, turning back to smile and wave at me before exiting. I rub the center of my chest, soothed by the ever-present bond between us.
I know there’s a chance Auri will release him from his contract and Mac will go back to the human realm. I don’t know how to live up there, but I’ll figure it out if I have to. Whatever makes my mate happy is what I’ll do, but I hope he chooses to stay here with us. I can make him happy here. That much I’m sure of.
For now, all I can do is wait for him to come back.
TWENTY-THREE
MAC
I believeDrax when he says I can trust Auri, but that doesn’t stop my legs from feeling like lead all the way to Auri’s office. There’s a heaviness, in my chest and I can’t tell whether it’s coming from me or from my mate.
Mate.
My heart pounds, and a complicated mix of emotions swirls inside my chest. I have a decision I need to make, and handing this amulet over to Auri feels like knocking down the first domino. Part of me wants to retreat to my own room and just…thinkfor a while. And, fuck, being down here with Drax, working for Auri really has changed me, because I can’t remember a single time in my life before this when I had the urge to think anything through. I suppose it’s not the worst change that could have happened to me, but it is just one more thing to wrap my head around.
I’m so lost in thought I barely register the sound of galloping paws before I’m bowled over by a mass of fur and drool. I hit the ground with an “oomph” and laugh as I try to wrestle the beast puppy into submission. Three licking tongues, three sets of teeth attached to three different heads that I’ve decided definitely share only one brain. Grim whines in surround sound, his tailthumping noisily against the floor as he lays his full body weight on me and covers my face in overly enthusiastic kisses.
“Heel! Sit! Go fetch!” Does this dog know any commands at all?
A sharp whistle cuts through the delighted yapping, and the puppy stops licking me and immediately sits up at attention.
“Look at you, you delightful hell beast, protecting Daddy’s office like the goodest boy. Yes, who’s the best boy? Is it you? Are you the best boy?” Auri coos, scratching one of Grim’s chins and kissing an entirely different nose while the third licks his cheek, the puppy’s heavy paws on my chest still holding me to the ground. How strong is this mutt? I’m a dragon, for fuck’s sake, he shouldn’t be able to keep me pinned this easily.
“I have the amulet,” I wheeze, and just like Grim sitting to attention at the whistle, Auri snaps right out of baby talk mode and claps his hands with glee.
“Well then, maybe Grim is the second goodest boy around here today. Off,” he commands the dog, and the large paws finally let up.
I suck in a desperate breath and pull my t-shirt up to dry my face off before I get to my feet.
“Come.” Auri snaps his fingers. Is he talking to me or the dog? He crooks his finger over his shoulder, so I’m guessing that command was for me.
I trot down the hall after him, clutching the satchel tightly. We reach the locked door at the end of the hall, and he pulls out an ornate key, then pauses. Auri sweeps his eyes over me and purses his lips like he’s considering something.
“Maybe it’s better if I don’t tempt you with what’s on the other side of this door.”
“What? What’s on the other side of the door?” I give a subtle sniff, but all I get is the sulfur smell of hell burning my nostrils and the lingering scent of my mate on my skin.
His mouth curls into a devious grin and he waffles his head back and forth before he finally sticks the key into the lock and turns it. He puts his hand on the doorknob and gives me a stern look.
“Just remember before I open this, that no matter how tempting you find any object inside, I will kill you if you steal any of my things.”
I sputter a laugh, but Auri isn’t smiling this time, his expression is as stern as can be. I nod and swallow hard.
“Got it. Hands to myself.” I’m assuring him just as much as I’m instructing my dragon.Don’t get us killed, please.
Auri opens the door, and I follow him inside. My breath catches and my heart thunders. My dragon writhes under my skin, fighting the tight grip I keep on him. This hoard makes mine look like nothing more than a few trinkets. The room is massive, filled with rows of shelves, each one containing different treasures. The demon is organized; I’ll give him that. Each item is accompanied by a placard and each row has a different theme. Historical demon artifacts, priceless finds, cursed objects…
He stops at the end of that row and holds his hand out expectantly.
