Page 45 of Mated
Nisha is no longer in the room, but judging by the strength of her scent, she left only moments before.
“Well, it’s definitely the return of the devil’s drug,” Gage quips as he and Ruin examine the near empty dart vials from Silver Rock. A thin, glasslike bit of Brightex still clouds the ends, but even without that trace, I would know what it is anywhere.
Caine, whose shoulder is swathed in bandages, grimaces. “I resemble that remark,” he says from his place on a narrow hospital bed. There is no hint of his normal cynicism in his tone. Just the same razor’s edge he has had since the forest.
Lilah rubs his back in small circles, her ice blue eyes worried as we all wait for any sign that the darts are having any further effect.
Horan remains opposite the demon and new vampire, his sword held aloft and a current of heavenly fire glowing from his eyes. As much as he dislikes Caine for what he is, in the event the demon goes bonkers, the Fallen angel may actually have a bit of remorse if he is the one to take the demon down.
“Whatever they were using,” Gage begins, “is an old batch.”
I stand up a little straighter. “Low shelf life?” I can’t stop the note of hope in my voice.
He scoffs. “Hard to say, but judging by Caine not hulking out on us, I’m going to say we should be okay.”
I’m not the only one who exhales.
“We need to check the two clowns that jumped your lady friend,” Ruin says to me, beginning to pace now that the main threat is over.
“As long as Callus doesn’t act like an idiot,” I mutter, “they will have both bodies placed in the cold room until we get back.”
“Which should buy us a little time,” Ruin agrees.
“I would like to run some tests on the sample that’s left,” Gage adds. “I may be able to identify some tracers in comparison to the batch back home. If we have a match, we could have already nailed our supplier.”
We all glance at Lilah, but she just juts her chin out in defiance. It’s why she fits in with the team so well. She has attitude. Lots of it.
“Lilah and I will go with Gage to check the sample,” Ruin advises. “Horan, I want you to accompany Tanner and Caine back to Silver Rock.”
Ruin peers across the room at the demon. “If you’re good?” he asks Caine.
Caine pushes from the table and stands without assistance. Though Lilah hovers near but not quite touching. Just in case. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
I walk over and clap him on the shoulder. “Good. I need you back at full health by tomorrow night.”
His ruby eyes glimmer. “You going to play a little slap and tickle, cat?”
“Goddess I hope so.” My lips curve into a broad smile.
He laughs, and the sound is pure Sin. Lust flows through the room in a tangible cloud and Lilah makes a small sound. We all shift. It’s like having a private lap dance in a group with your friends. Doable, but hard to concentrate past.
I shiver. “Shit.”
Ruin nods out of my peripheral.
“Seems our demon friend took an upswing in power instead of going batshit crazy,” Gage says hoarsely into the tension.
“How hard is it going to be for you to watch my back like this?” I croak.
Caine smirks. “As hard as I want to make it.”
My cock responds against my will, throbbing and aching.
“Damn it,” Ruin grunts. His eyes bleed to gold before locking onto Lilah with the single-minded focus of a bonded male.
Caine begins to turn and I slam both hands onto his face, keeping his gaze on me. “Right here, bud. Keep that gorgeous fucking red gaze fixed here.”
“Aww,” he teases. “You think my eyes are pretty?”
