“You’re taking too long, Mei is hungry.”
Turn’s eyes widen to saucers. “You brought the fucking Leviathan here?”
“Watch your mouth,” I growl at the useless demon.
“Okay, well, she is in safe hands, and I’m going to pretend I didn’t see anything.”
He pauses, looking between us and suddenly makes the connection.
“The Healer as well? She is Death’s daughter?”
I swipe at him, but he squeals and runs. He disappears into the back room, and a moment later, I hear a door slam shut and feet running away.
I shake my head and grab Leaf by the back of his head, dragging his mouth to mine. It’s a fierce kiss. Our first, but it feels right.
He pulls me closer, his huge hands sliding down my back and gripping my ass.
I break away. “Later.”
He growls and watches me pull away. I can feel his eyes on me as I leave the foul-smelling shop.
Mei is waiting outside, and she smiles when I approach.
It hits me hard in the chest, making my heart jump. Her smile is something I want to see all the time.
I reach out and cup her cheek. “My darling Nightmare. Are you ready to go hunting?”
She cackles and throws her hand out, flinging seven red, pulsing runes into the air. They dissolve, but the throbbing red explodes out from this spot, searching and seeking.
“It almost feels like cheating,” Lirin whines
“If you want to hunt it the old-fashioned way, you can stay and do that while we are all at home getting knotted,” Ronit says.
“Pass!” Lirin shouts.
“I thought so.”
***
I race down the street, my footsteps pounding as I chase the shadow. It jumps to the next building and comes down on the side, running as easily on it as it did on the roof. I still can’t tell what shape it is, but I’m ready to be done with it.
“I fucking hate running,” I mutter for the tenth time tonight.
Five hours of running, and you’d think we’d be getting close, but this creature is adept at escape, slipping through our clutches as if we were amateurs.
Even Mei is getting frustrated.
“We need a new strategy!” I shout, thoroughly pissed off. We could be fucking or sleeping.
Mei snarls as she gets close, leaping off a building, but at the last second, the creature dives, and she misses. My chest caves in as I watch her catapult through the air.
“LEAF!” I roar.
The Leviathan looks up and leaps through his portal, snagging her out of the air and landing next to me.
“Don’t do that again!” I shout as I continue chasing this creature. I wipe my sweaty hair back from my forehead and snarl under my breath. It sets off Lirin, who bursts out laughing, but he’s leaning on the side of a building looking like he’s going to collapse.
I pull out my trident and race faster. As soon as I get my chance, using all my strength, I throw it.
