But now it was time to tell Talon.
“Why should I have to tell him in person?” he’d argued. “He won’t give a shit.”
Idess sighed. “You two haven’t had the easiest relationship, but it’s not going to get any better if you don’t share important moments like this with him.”
Ugh. Whatever.
An acrid stench from the kitchens assailed him as he moved through the club, making him thankful he’d grown up in the human realm, eating human food. Demon diets were nasty.
Finally, his eyes adjusted to the low, hazy light, and he saw Talon at a table near the fight pit. A fight must have just finished, because the pit was empty of competitors, and a crew of imps was scrambling to clean it up.
Mace walked up to the table, forcing his brother to look up at him. “Mace. What are you doing here?”
“Crux said Sabre was meeting you somewhere. I figured Sabre needed to fight, and you usually come with him to patch him up.”
Nodding, Talon leaned back in his chair and stared down at his drink. “I just finished healing him. He’s cleaning up in the back.”
Mace pulled out a chair and sat. “First fight of the night?”
“Yeah.”
Mace shook his head. “Damned Soulshredder genes.” Sabre’s mother, Tayla, was half-Soulshredder, a species of demon that could see emotional scars and exploit them, and they lived on the pain of others. Sabre had to expend his violent tendencies now and then to keep his inner Soulshredder satisfied.
A few demons of various species, from ugly, skinny things to ugly, lumpy things, skittered or lumbered by, and once they were past, Talon looked over at Mace. “So, you figured out where I was, but you haven’t said why you’re here.” Narrowing his eyes, he sat upright. “You’re mated.”
“That’s why I’m here. To tell you in person.”
Somehow, Talon’s eyes got even narrower. How could he even see between those lids? “Why? You avoid talking to me in person.”
“Other way around, bro.”
Talon didn’t argue. “So, who’s the girl?”
“Scotty.”
“Whoa.” Talon had looked vaguely bored, but that got his attention. “It makes sense, but what about Blade?”
“Blade’s mated to her too.”
Now, he had Talon’s complete interest. Dude sat straight up so fast he nearly knocked his drink off the table. “Seriously? In two different rituals? That shouldn’t be possible—”
“One ritual. We were trying to let fate decide.”
“Huh. I guess it did.” He kicked his feet out and crossed them at the ankles, practically daring anyone to trip over them. “So, how is that gonna work? Who’s she going to live with? Are you all moving in together? Same room? Same bed? Hot threesomes?”
“We still need to work all that shit out.” But no to the threesomes. Mace would be happy if he never saw Blade naked again.
“Well.” Talon raised his glass. “Congratulations.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“Is it?” Talon looked out over the fight pit. “Maybe it’s because I’m trying to hide the fact that I’m a little jealous.”
“What?” Mace teased. “You wanted Scotty?”
“I want a mate.” Talon shook his head. “And I can’t believe I just admitted that to you.”
Mace couldn’t believe it, either. His brother rarely confided anything to Mace, especially if it was highly personal. “Are you thinking of mating your fallen angel?”
