Page 41 of Demon's Mate
He carried Harper down the stairs to his apartment and shifted Harper in his arms so he could reach the doorknob. Human locks weren’t a problem for demon magic.
Ash grabbed the knob and frowned. A protective spell had been cast on the lock and—a further inspection revealed—the whole dwelling.
The protection was strong, buzzing intrusively against Ash’ssenses. He examined it until he found a way to unweave it and let himself into the apartment.
He closed the door.
Harper must have had someone cast the protection for him, but Ash was surprised by how impressive the spell was. Most witches weren’t that strong. He’d broken through it easily, but he was a demon. It would have taken a witch much longer…if they could have gotten through at all.
Interesting.
Ash didn’t sense anyone else in the apartment, and he’d watched the building enough to be confident Harper’s roommate was away at this time of day. He carried Harper down the hallway and through the living room to the bedroom facing the street.
He lay Harper on his bed and pulled a blanket over him.
The room was sparse, with no decoration or personal touches. Something Ash hadn’t noticed when peering in from across the street. The lack of a homey feeling was unsettling. His flower deserved better than this. Why did Harper seem to have almost no possessions?
Ash set Harper’s shoulder bag on the floor. He itched to snoop through it and the few things in the room but resisted. Harper wouldn’t appreciate that, and Ash didn’t need to dig himself a deeper hole.
With nowhere to sit other than the bed, Ash leaned against the wall and watched over Harper. He untied the T-shirt attached to his belt and pulled it over his head. No need to alarm Harper when he woke up by showing too much skin.
Eventually, Harper stirred, shifting in the sheets and making a soft little sound. He blinked awake and gasped, sitting bolt upright, and looked around in confusion.
His terrified gaze landed on Ash. “What’s happening?” Harper’s eyes darted around the room again like he was trying to piece together what he’d missed.
“You’re safe, Harper. You’re home.” Ash pushed off the wall but didn’t get too close.
“What?” Harper stared at Ash, his eyes going wide. “Wait… You—you had fangs.”
16
HARPER
Ash froze. “What?”
“You had fangs.” Harper pointed at Ash, his hand shaking. He’d seen it. He was sure. A brief flash, looking up at Ash with long, sharp canines.
Harper latched on to the absurd memory even though Ash couldn’t be a vampire. Harper had never sensed any magic in him. But it was better than thinking about what happened before Ash turned up out of nowhere.
Where did Finch and the other man go?
“Are you working with them?” Harper’s voice shook, his head throbbed, and nausea clawed at his insides.
What happened? Where had Ash come from?
“No, Harper. I’m not working with them.” Ash stepped closer to the bed, reaching out a hand. “You’re okay.”
A sob tore from Harper’s throat. He wasn’t okay. Was Finch coming back? What was he planning to do?
“Harper,” Ash said, softer this time. He sat on the edge of the bed and placed a hand on Harper’s back.
Harper stiffened at the touch, and Ashimmediately withdrew. Tears slid down Harper’s cheeks. He wasn’t safe anymore and didn’t know what to do.
“Do you remember what happened?” Ash asked.
Harper tried to focus on Ash through his tears. Could he trust him?
“You were attacked,” Ash went on when Harper didn’t speak. “I was nearby and saw someone grab you.”
