Page 55 of Demon's Mate
He stood at the foot of the bed and shot Ash a suspicious glance. “Can I? You aren’t tellingmeeverything. Why can’t I detectyourmagic? Areyousuppressing it?”
Harper had him there. He must have been shocked to find out Ash was a vampire if he’d magically assessed Ash and determined him to be human.
Ash rubbed the spot where his horns were hidden. They weren’t going to get anywhere like this. He couldn’t expect Harper to trust him if he didn’t do the same. Harper was scared. He wasn’t going to make the first move. Ash needed to show Harper he was safe. He had to put himself out there.
And there was only one way to do that. He had to reveal his true self.
How would Harper react when he realized a demon was in his bedroom? Some witches hated demons, and others worshipped them to a sickening degree. Then there were the witches hunting them. But Harper was Ash’s mate, and whatever Harper’s initial reaction, they would figure this out.
They had to.
Dante and Onyx were going to be furious. Ash still hadn’t told them about Harper, but revealing himself wouldn’t put his brothers in danger. Not in this case. Harper was kindhearted, and Ash would do whatever he had to for Harper to accept him as a demon and agree to keep his secret.
“I am suppressing my magic,” Ash began. Harper went completely still, shock on his face like he hadn’t expected Ash to admit it. “I always suppress it.”
“Are you hiding?” Harper asked so quietly Ash might have missed it if he had human hearing.
“Yes.” Ash’s tattooed wings and tail tingled. “I’m hiding, just like you.”
“Who makes your potion?” Harper’s eyes raked over him. “Vampires can’t brew.”
Ash’s heart pounded, swallowing a few times before he could get the words out. “I’m not a vampire, Harper. I never said I was, but I didn’t correct you when you made the assumption.”
Harper shrank back. “What? But your fangs?”
Ash stood from the bed, momentarily lightheaded, moving slowly so Harper wouldn’t take it as a threat. “I’m a demon.” An unexpected lightness filled Ash, urging him on. “I can suppress my magic without a potion. I’ve been doing it since I entered the Human Realm.”
Harper’s mouth dropped open, more shocked than afraid.
Ash’s heart beat rapidly as something like excitement stirred in him. He turned away, showing the tattoos on his back before facing Harper again. There was a kaleidoscope of butterflies in Ash’s chest. His hands shook and he clenched his fists to steady them.
With a smile, Ash brought his demon features forth. His tail unwrapped from around his hips, his horns sprang from his hair, and his wings rose from his back, folded tight in the small room.
All traces of fear fled Harper’s expression. Awe shone in his eyes, and Ash stood straighter, the last of his discomfort gone.
His mate was impressed with him.
The pull between them seemed to hum in satisfaction, like showing his true form had strengthened their connection. Ash’s blood heated with the desire to connect further.
“I don’t know how much you know about demons,” Ash continued before he got distracted, showing Harper just how impressive he could be. “But we keep our existence in thisRealm a heavily guarded secret. I’ve never revealed myself to anyone.” Harper had to know what this moment meant, what he was risking to gain Harper’s trust. “I’m sorry I deceived you. I was never trying to trick you. But now you know. This is who I am, and I promise you can talk to me. I’ll listen. I’ll help you.”
Harper gave his head a tiny shake. “You’re one of the Hounds.”
Ash smiled despite hating the nickname. “You know your history then.”
Harper raised one shoulder in a half-shrug. “You and the other Hounds escaped the Realm of the Damned hundreds of years ago and have been hiding in our Realm. No one ever called the demons by their names. At least not that I ever heard. Ash…” He trailed off like he was trying the name out.
This was good. Harper knowing about the Hounds meant he would understand what a big deal it was for Ash to reveal himself.
Ash sat on the edge of the bed, his wings shifting and in the way. “Now that you know why I’m hiding my magic, will you share what’s happening with you?”
Harper trapped his bottom lip between his teeth, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I’m hiding from my coven,” he said at last.
Ash nodded, hoping Harper would go on, but he didn’t. “You’ve done a good job. Are you brewing the potion yourself?”
Harper’s cheeks pinkened. “Yes. I have a knack for potions.” He averted his eyes, fiddling with the hem of Ash’s shirt. “I’m not doing a good job if they found me,” he whispered.
Before Ash could disagree, Harper stiffened, fixing Ash with a calculating stare. “Wait. If you aren’t a vampire, why did you run away from me that night? You couldn’t have been overwhelmed with the urge to bite me. You’re not new to immortality and the need for blood. You’re ancient.”
