I need this.
He strode into the backyard, passing the small building housing the generator, and his steps faltered. Snarling, he slammed his palms on the granite wall, the evil within him rioting harder and harder.
Damn fucking Fates!
They probably watched with elation to see how this gamble would play out. To see if he would give in to his own needs and put Shadow in death’s path.
Theós. He lowered his head and shut his eyes, yearning to go back inside. If only his life had been different. Because he wanted her, so fucking badly.
Chapter 13
Shadow presseda hand to her churning stomach, staring at the empty doorway Nik had stormed through. Why? Because she defended demons despite knowing his loathing for them?
She wished she understood his hatred for the entire species. Yes, some were utterly vile, but several of them were her friends. And yes, one of the evil ones had killed Eddi.
Thoughts of her beloved friend were never far from her mind, and sorrow swamped her.
I will make the demon bastard pay, Eddi, I promise.
Mouth tight, she tramped to the door Nik had vanished through. Something crackled beneath her kicks. Her gaze lowered to the frost-crusted floor, then up. More ice coated the open door and the jamb. She’d experienced the icy chill that occasionally surrounded Nik, seen him summon ice spears, but never this…Oh, no.She sucked in a harsh breath.He’s losing control.
The need to help him overwhelming her, Shadow raced outside, following Nik’s trail into the spacious back courtyard. No sign of him.
Worry hiking, she ran around the side of the monastery, skirted a small building attached to the abbey, then hurried along the narrow, frost-encrusted path between the monastery and granite wall. She stumbled to a halt.
Nik stood near an excavated stairway leading up into the mountains, a hand braced on the granite, head lowered. Ice coated the surface, the steps, and the ground around him.
Cautiously, she approached. “Nik?”
He glanced over his outstretched arm. Dear lord, his otherworldly eyes glowed a brilliant neon white so deadly, her breath caught in her throat.
“You should stay away from me.”
“I-I’m not afraid of a little ice.”
Dark laughter. Like he found it funny. “I could kill you.”
Trusting her instincts and considering his past actions, she took another step closer. “Then you kill me—”
He reached out and grabbed her, dragging her to him, the wintry air surrounding him instantly vanishing. “You do test me,lígo machitís.”
His mouth came down on hers. The hunger in his kiss stunned her, as if he were starving, and she, his life-giving sustenance. She wasn’t complaining.Thiswas what she wanted from him, this raw, unbridled passion.
His tongue sought hers, licking and sucking. She kissed him back with the same intense need, the glide of his tongue piercing a sensual caress. A whimper escaped her. Desire gathered, tightening her body. God, she wanted that tongue all over her, wanted him inside her. But with his height, his rock-hard cock pressed against her tummy, instead, not where she wanted him. Moaning into his mouth, she lowered her hand to stroke the rigid bulge in his jeans.
A dark growl rumbled free from him. He grasped both her wrists with one hand and held them above her head against the wall, his other palm settling on her hip. “Do you want me to fuck you right here?” he demanded. “Hard and fast?”
All she knew was she didn’t want him to stop kissing her, touching her. For the first time in her horrible life, she wanted something for herself. No matter how fleeting.
So she ignored his crude words. “It’s not forever,” she said huskily. “No need to worry that I’ll want more.”
The flames of passion in his light eyes faded. He let her go and stepped back. “Race is waiting for me.” He took the narrow, winding steps up.
“Dammit, Nik—” She slapped a hand on the wall. “What did I do now?”
He glanced back. “You? Nothing. I guess I’m a masochist. See, here’s the thing, Starshine. While you contemplate short-term, I don’t. Think about that.” With a grim smile, he shimmered and vanished from her sight.
Her mouth snapped shut. Inhaling harshly, her legs too shaky to hold her, Shadow collapsed on the coarsely hewed granite step.
