Page 30 of Bound
Chapter 11
Amoret
I turn my hands over in the soft light. There are no marks. No signs of the fire from earlier. And if not for the raised voices downstairs, I would pass the whole thing off as a grief-stricken dream.
The door across from me cracks, making me raise my head. “Amoret?” Gage’s voice is low, not gentle, but close.
He peers around the panel, his arresting green eyes landing on me and my hiding spot beside the bed. Something dark flashes through his gaze. He steps inside. “Amoret?”
I lower my hands and move to my knees, seconds from leaping up and running to him. A dark-clad figure steps in behind him and slinks closer.
I stare at the newcomer.
Where Gage is broad and heavily muscled, the new man is lean, lithe. Tousled, dark hair rests around his forehead and cheeks, the strands gleaming with raven wing highlights. He seems solemn, not quite sinister, but not human either.
And as I meet the crimson roll of fire in his gaze, I know what he is.
Demon.
I peer at Gage. “Why is he here?” I demand. “Gage. Get rid of him. Why—”
“Amoret,” he tells me, skirting the foot of the bed. “This is Caine. He is a member of the Lock Lake colony.”
My shocked gasp is breathy, confused. “But—”
“It’s okay,” Gage says as he crouches close, but not close enough. “He’s with me. He won’t hurt you.”
“I—” I look between them, unsure.
I trust Gage. But a demon?
“Easy, love,” the other male croons. His voice is like silk, pleasant, as a faint trace of brimstone and male spice accompanies him. He appraises me. “Like sunshine in a doll-like package,” he mutters.
A low sound rumbles from Gage, and the demon cracks a smile.
“I remember, Fire Fae. I remember.” His dark head cants. “Amoret? Right?” he asks me.
Swallowing, I nod jerkily.
“Okay, Amoret,” the demon says. “I will wrap a kind of shield around you. Just so we have no more incidents like downstairs, while the Fire Fae looks you over.”
“A shield?” I ask, peering over at Gage. His strong face is tight, and his neck is just as tense. With every step the demon takes towards me, the tension in him grows. But he gives me a nod. “Will it … Will it hurt?” The question is meek. Soft.
Gage’s eyes roll with fire. “If it does, I’ll kill him.”
Caine cackles under his breath, and if the threat bothers him, he doesn’t show it. “No, love. It won’t hurt. It may be warm, but you can’t blame a demon for that.”
“That’s far enough, Caine,” Gage growls.
Caine halts at the end of the bed, one palm out. “Stickler, aren’t you?” His sigh is equal parts teasing and frustration. “Fine. Hold still for me, love.”
I go rigid.
Crimson magick swirls around the demon’s hand. Not hellfire, but real magick. I gawk at the play of light as it builds. He thrusts his hand out and the shimmering energy rolls over me like liquid.
It is warm. Not hot. Sage and something sweet seems to accompany the ticklish play of power. I look down as it hugs every inch of my body in red light.
Gage kneels at my side, his own flames rolling across his knuckles as he lifts my hand in his. His palm, like his fingers, is calloused and rough. Every touch sends my heart beating faster.
