Page 38 of Fallen

“Mine,” Talon growled against his lips, and Alex clung to him, making divots in the muscle of his back, because the word soundedright.

“Yeah,” he confessed, shuddering. “I think I am.”

Chapter 13

Talon

After they cleaned up,Talon dragged Alex out of the apartment in search of sustenance. Now that he’d had a decent amount of sleep, he probably needed food, given that his fridge and pantry were, in a word,sparse.

If he’d known how badly Alex would deteriorate, he never would’ve left him alone.

A part of him wonderedwhyAlex had deteriorated so. Did the human feel the same connection that Talon felt? Had he felt the same sense of loss during their time apart? The urge to go to Alex, to force his way into the space at Alex’s side, had been almost overwhelming. Only pure stubbornness, his determination to see Alex return of his own free will, had kept him away. The stark relief he’d felt at seeing Alex at In Extremis last night would’ve taken him out at the knees if he hadn’t already been sitting down. Having him in his arms again had felt like a dream.

He teleported them to Alex’s car, left in the mostly empty parking lot across the street from In Extremis. From there, he let Alex choose where they went. Money was no issue for one as old as Talon. He had more than he could spend in a dozen human lifetimes, and it accumulated quicker than he spent it.

The sun was hidden behind opaque white clouds, like an upside-down bowl. It was still bright enough for him to borrow a pair of sunglasses from Alex’s glove compartment, but only direct sunlight hurt. He could manage long enough to find some food.

They didn’t speak for a while, though Alex kept casting him curious glances. He let his human look his fill. Alex was in a strange position, to be sure. Belonging to a demon despite pledging his life to kill them. He’d dismissed Alex’s concerns about the guild before, but he couldn’t deny that it would be an issue at some point. If they found out about Alex and Talon’s relationship, there would be holy hell to pay. He’d just have to make sure Alex wasn’t the one who paid.

They stopped at a coffee shop, and Alex looked askance at Talon.

“Lead the way,” he said agreeably.

After they’d ordered—Alex a sandwich and soda and Talon a coffee—they found an empty booth, and when Alex sat down with his back to the wall, Talon sat beside him, rather than opposite.

Alex glanced at him. “You can’t feel me up in public, you know.”

Talon smirked. “We both know I could. But that’s not why I’m sitting here.”

“Then why—” He stopped, glancing at the empty side of the booth, and understanding dawned on his face. That side of the booth was bathed in sunlight that had finally broken through the clouds. “Should I sit on that side? I don’t mind.”

“No, this is fine.” He laid his arm across the back of the booth, sprawling in a way that lined their legs up from hip to knee. “Just eat. And then, if you want, we can go by the place where you found the mozgoran.”

Alex turned to look at him. “What? Why? I went back there a few days ago. He’s long gone.”

“If he’s still in the area, I may be able to sense him. It can’t hurt to let me poke around.”

Alex’s eyes darted around the room. It was midafternoon, so the lunch rush had already passed, and the shop was mostly empty. Then he stole in for a kiss. Talon inhaled, surprise and delight swirling headily inside him. No one here knew who they were, but the fact that Alex was still willing to be seen kissing him sent a thrill through him. Everyone would know they belonged together.

When they parted, Alex’s eyelids were heavy, and his ocean blue eyes lingered on Talon’s mouth, which pulled into a pleased smile.

“Eat, little bird,” he said softly. “Then we’ll look for your monster. And then I’ll take you home.”

“I drove,” Alex said, just as quiet.

“Then you can takemehome.”

“To my place or yours?”

Talon shrugged. “Whichever, as long as you let me stay by your side.” He’d been deprived of Alex for too long, and he wasn’t ready to let him go yet. “Do you have guild duties tonight?”

“No. Drills tomorrow, though.” Alex picked up his sandwich and took a hearty bite.

“Drills?” Talon asked, watching the flex of his jaw as he chewed. Did this human look bad doinganything?

“Mm-hm. It’s partly for team-building purposes, partly to keep us in fighting shape. Weight training, running, sparring.” He waved a dismissive hand, then gestured to the sunlight. “Is it true that sunlight hurts you?”

“It’s not… pleasant,” he admitted. “It’s like…” He slid a hand across the table and into the light, considering how best to describe the burning prickle it caused. “Holding your hand too close to an open flame, maybe. It won’t kill us, but we like to avoid it when we can.”

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