Page 59 of The River of Hatred

“He’s right,” I tell him. “I’m as safe as kittens.” I frown. “Wait, why is that a saying? Have you ever been scratched by a kitten? Those things have needle-sharp claws. And are they safe? There’s foxes, rats, other cats, so many predators…”

Ash’s lips slowly tip up until he’s smiling down at me indulgently. He grabs me by the neck and leans down to ravage my mouth. By the time his tongue is done exploring every crevice of my mouth, I’m breathless and dizzy.

I turn my head toward Aim, blushing when I see him standing so close, a devious smirk on his dangerously handsome face. He looks like the guy who’d make you cross the street if you saw him walking toward you. But then you’d be kicking yourself halfway across because you’d realize you do want to be his gang princess.

“If you’re up for another show, I’m sure Mike can wait,” he says silkily.

“No…” I gasp. “No,” I say firmer, but still breathless and slightly wistful.

I extricate myself from Ash’s possessive hold and open the door to our rooms. Puck, my baby imp gumdrop sweetheart, is sprawled over our bed, lightly snoring. I hope Ash doesn’t ignore him too much while I’m gone. He needs constant attention or things get broken.

I step into the walk-in closet I had Ash make for us. One dresser just wasn’t enough for my clothes and armor, not to mention the weapons he keeps gifting me with like they’re jewelry. I kept the dresser, of course, and the lambs carved into it greet me when I fling open its doors.

Ash’s taste in my clothes lean toward the refined, even for the casual and comfortable pieces. I bypass the dresses and gowns, their red and black silk and lace inviting my touch, and hone in on a pair of sturdy leather pants. If I pair these with low booties and a silky black T-shirt, I’ll be slightly more protected than if I was wearing leggings and flats, but still not draw unwanted attention from the humans. Feeling proud of myself, I change into my chosen ensemble.

When I poke my head out, I see Aim holding a rucksack. “I packed your armor,” he says.

Ash hands me two gorgeous jewel-encrusted black daggers. “And I chose your weapons.”

I grin at the two demons acting like my personal servants. “Thanks, Mom and Dad,” I simper.

Sheathing the daggers, I stuff them next to my armor, then sling the backpack over one shoulder. It’s not exactly feather-light.

“Think Kev and Nah are ready?” I ask my handmaidens.

“I’ll go get them. Meet you at the gate.” Aim leaves and I’m left alone with a brooding Ash. I reach up and take his angelic face in my hands, my thumb sweeping over his delicious lower lip.

“If you feed on anyone while I’m gone, I’ll cut your balls off, paint them red, and feed them to Puck,” I threaten sweetly.

He smiles under my fingers. “They’re too big for him, but just right for you, and you’d miss having them in your mouth too much to do that to me.”

I grin back. “Test me and I’ll show you.”

“Luckily for everyone involved, I find myself without an appetite when you are not around, sweetness.” He grabs my wrist and kisses the center of my palm. “So hurry back to me.”

∞∞∞

I’m hyperventilating. I can’t take my eyes off the setting sun, probably lucky my corneas are supernatural. Kevin joins me and wraps an arm around my shoulder – either in comfort or because he’s not feeling very stable either right now.

“I can’t believe we’re here,” he whispers with an awed voice.

“Me neither,” I murmur, snaking my arm around his waist.

We just took Ash’s gate to travel to the human world, and while I was anxious about parting with him, I also couldn’t wait to breathe fresh air. It’s been four years since I saw the blue sky, even longer than that since I bothered to take in the sunset. I’ll never take one for granted again.

Kevin leans his head against mine. “So, are you replacing me with Mike now?”

His question makes me snort and I poke his ribs with two stiffened fingers. “You’re irreplaceable, buster,” I tell him.

“I have to agree,” Naamah purrs, sauntering to our side.

“Yes, youhave to,” Kevin says with a roll of his eyes, stressing the last part. These two always make me giggle with their antics. I knew they’d end up together the moment I saw their dynamic.

“Are we standing here all night, ladies?” Aim asks, clearly not as impressed with nature’s beauty as we are.

“Spoilsport,” I mutter. After one last longing glance at our planet’s star, I turn my back on it and start following the assassin. “Do you know this city well?” I ask, looking at the charming boats docked at the old city port. “How long is the walk to where we’re going?”

He gives me an amused glance and his lip ring sparkles when the corner of his mouth tilts in a crooked smile. A couple of women sitting on the terrace of a café nearly dislocate their heads to follow him with their gazes. I cough into my hand to hide my laughter.

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