“So, you were awake.”
I don’t bother concealing the grin that turns up one side of my mouth. “Partially.”
I feel the low rumble of his hum ghost my cheek. It’s light. A feather across skin.
“Your human had questions.”
My grin spreads. “I heard.”
“He thinks he can take you from me.”
I chuckle at the disgruntled sulk in the statement. “I promise not to let that happen.”
The wisp brushing my cheek slides beneath my hair, cups the back of my skull. My face is forcibly tilted to his. I feel the faintest whisper of air graze my lips and my lashes slip shut. But the moment it does, he pulls back. The hold stays, but I’m only left with the tingling of my mouth as proof of the kiss.
I think it was a kiss.
“Are you always like this?” I ask quietly. “Invisible,” I add. “Do you have a body?”
“I do.”
I catch the faint sparkle in the air before me. The glittery mist I’m beginning to associate with him.
“Can I see you?”
“No.”
My head tilts in question. “Why not?”
Something scratches the curve of my jaw. It might be teeth.
“Humans have died gazing upon me.”
I search the mist, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. “Are you that attractive?” I tease.
There is a moment of startled silence then the rolling rumble of thunder. Of sand over stone. It’s gruff and a little scary, but the laugh still sends tingles down my spine.
“Let me see,” I urge. “I promise not to fawn.”
Veyn snorts and I think that’s the funniest and most endearing sound.
“I am a demon, pet. We are not beautiful. We are designed to incite fear.”
Telling him I’m not scared of him might not be the best idea given I really don’t know him. He has proven more than once that he is dangerous and powerful, but aside from his protectiveness to keep me for himself, he hasn’t shown any sort of … affection.
Also, what would something that can turn into shapes embedded with razor blades look like in the flesh?
“I bet you’re wrong.” I hear myself murmur, contradicting my own thoughts. “Where’s Marcus?” I ask quickly before he responds to my slip.
“Your human is in his office with the authorities.”
I blink. “What?”
Without waiting for a response, I scramble from amongst the sheets. I realize only when I’m standing that I have no clothes in Marcus’s room and don’t have time to run to mine.
Cursing, I dart into his closet. From the neatly hung row of shirts, I drag a white button up off a hanger and drag it on.
“Is he okay? What do they want?” I hurry back into the bedroom, fingers fumbling on the tiny buttons. “Did they find Sarai?”
