Page 29 of Clash of Sin and Secret

His expression remains relaxed, but I sense his apprehension in the spark of the magic between us when he settles in front of me and takes my hand. “Of course. What’s on your mind?”

“You are. I want you to know everything that’s brewing between me, Zane, and Huntley, so you can tell me how you see things.”

He dips his chin and meets my gaze. “That’s easy. If you want me in your life, I’m here. I’m all in.”

“But I haven’t told you everything?—”

“No matter what you need to tell me, I’m at your side for as long as you want me here.”

“But what if?—”

He cups my cheek in his palm. “There’s nothing you could’ve done or want to do that will scare me away. The only way I’m leaving you is if you tell me to go. Do you want me to go?”

“No! Not at all, but Zane and Huntley both own a piece of me and I’m realizing they always will. I want to be fair to you from the beginning. I adore you. You’re my calm in the storm. I want you and need you, but what you need matters just as much.”

“Then we’re all good because the only thing I need is you.” He winks and brushes his thumb against my cheek. “I know it’s only been a few weeks, but it happens like that sometimes with magical races. I’m falling deeper in love with you every day.”

Tears sting my eyes and my heart swells in my chest. I swallow against the thickness of emotion in my throat and press my cheek against his palm. “Me too. It’s like you’re meant to be with me—like you’ve always been with me.”

He nods, and all my panic drops away. Tucker is my rock. He is the strong and solid foundation I need to survive and thrive.

“Does this mean you want to accept your duty as Zane’s Sacred Squire?”

“Yeah. I do. Does that bother you?”

He shakes his head. “If you’re being honest with me and true to yourself, nothing you decide will ever bother me, beautiful. And if it keeps you from hurting yourself or others by magical overload, I’m all in.”

“Okay, then let’s call your dad in and see what I have to do to keep from going nuclear and causing the next Toronto grid blackout.”

CHAPTER NINE

Zane

The technomancer, Bin, gave us the address of a rundown garage in an old section of the city. It’s just off the Danforth. Dante and Link do a quick perimeter check and assure us that other than the three bodies they detect inside, there are no hidden threats.

The moment we step inside the side door, I’m hit with the acrid scent of oil and old rubber. It’s like walking into a tomb where machines go to die.

Tires are heaped haphazardly in the corners, some stacked so high they threaten to tumble over. Graffiti splashes across the concrete walls, a chaotic mural of rebellion of youth with something to prove.

Link scans the area with his hawk-like gaze, muscles coiled tight. Huntley stands beside him, his usual bravado replaced by a simmering tension. I glance at Dante. He’s got a fierce glint in his eyes, ready for action.

“All right.” I lower my voice. “Quiet and lethal.”

Dante steps forward, leading us down a narrow hallway lined with fluorescent lights hanging from their housings overhead. The air thickens as we approach an open space filled with shadows.

Dante stops and raises his hand, flashing us three fingers, then signaling that two are in one direction and the third is in another.

We infiltrate quietly, sticking to the shadows. If these were true-blooded vampires, we’d never be able to get the drop on them, but they’re not. They’re mutts turned by some dickwad who doesn’t understand how offensive his actions are. Or he does, but the power he desires makes it a moot point.

They’ve got themselves a ratty couch and a coffee table covered in dirty ashtrays and playing cards.

I motion for Dante and Link to take positions behind a rusted-out pickup truck while Huntley and I flank the other from behind an antique car.

The plan is simple: hit hard and fast.

With barely a breath between us, we attack.

Huntley lunges at the same time as Dante and Link. The Viking slams his concrete fist into the jaw of the lone guard and spins his head like it’s not connected to his spine—which it no longer is.

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