Page 88 of Demon's Mate
“Why couldn’t we find him before?” Ash shouted, anger the only thing keeping his fear at bay. He should have sensed Luc approaching well before he got to the city.
“I don’t know.” Dante’s tone was filled with frustration and a hint of uneasiness. “Whatever Luc was doing to hide, he isn’t doing it now.”
“He’ll be expecting us.” Ash flew faster, even though it was likely a trap. His mate was in danger and nothing else mattered.
Ash’s coughing and pain were gone. Was that good or bad? Would he feel if Harper died? He tried to grab hold of the bond and couldn’t.
It didn’t mean anything. Harper was still alive. He had to be.
Without Harper, nothing mattered. Ash would kill Luc. Consequences and countless years of friendship be damned. Luc could do whatever he wanted to Ash—betray him, imprison him, hunt him, torture him—but not Harper.
Ash beat his wings so hard they felt like they were on fire. He had to get to Harper. He had to fix this. He wouldn’t be too late. He couldn’t be.
Dante kept pace with him, and soon, a building swarmed with shearwaters came into view. The birds cried and darted around, making way for the two demons as they sped through the flock and landed behind the warehouse.
Ash ran for the back door and ripped it open, pulling it from its hinges.
He rushed inside, Dante at his back. A wall of fire greeted him, red and deep orange as Lucifer’s flames always were. Ash surrounded himself in his own golden-orange fire, protecting himself as he walked through Luc’s burning barrier.
Lucifer held Harper by the throat, limp and unmoving. No.
The Devil’s glowing eyes fixed on Ash, and he jerked back as if in surprise. He hadn’t expected Ash to come? Was this not a trap?
Fuck, it didn’t matter.
Ash’s fire flared. He charged forward and ripped Harper from Lucifer’s clutches, his fire engulfing his mate in a protective shield.
He cradled Harper to his chest. Was he dead? A cut marred Harper’s cheek. Ash whimpered, fingers trailing over Harper’s blue lips. No. They were supposed to be pink.
“Harper, sweetheart,” he choked. If Harper died, he might die along with him.
The faintest breath caressed Ash’s fingertips, puffing past Harper’s blue lips.
Ash’s world stopped and restarted. Harper wasn’t dead. Color slowly chased away the horrible tinge to his usually rosy cheeks, and Ash’s knees threatened to buckle.
“Lucifer,” he growled, fixing a deadly stare on the demon he’d once called a friend. “I’ll flay you and feast on your fucking heart for this.”
Luc seemed recovered from his momentary surprise, glancing mockingly between Ash and Dante, who’d crossed Luc’s flaming circle behind Ash. “For what? Hurting your fuck toy?”
Ash roared. He’d have ripped Luc’s head off if he hadn’t been consumed by the need to hold Harper close. He’d never let go of his mate again.
Maybe he could chew Lucifer’s head from his shoulders. He wouldn’t need to set Harper down to do that.
Lucifer laughed. “So touchy. What’s happened to you, Ash? Telling little witches lies about mates and obsessing over them. You’ve lost your senses since I last saw you.”
“Harper is my mate.” Ash held his flower tighteragainst his chest. “You’ll pay for laying a single finger on him. We may not be in the Eternal Realm, but this is still a punishable offense.”
“Then make me pay,” Luc taunted, spreading his arms wide. “What are you going to do about it? Or are your threats nothing but more lies?”
Dante stepped forward, his nostrils flaring. “Ash isn’t lying. Harper is his mate. Luc, what are you playing at? Did Harper tell you he was Ash’s mate? And you hurt him anyway? Mates are sacred. You know that.”
“Give it a rest, Dante,” Luc snapped.
“No,” Dante shouted. “What are you doing? Destroying everything in your path whether you need to or not? I don’t know how you got past us and into the city but come for us if you want. Leave the innocents alone.”
Lucifer chuckled. “Innocents. Your temper’s gotten worse. Did looking for me send you over the edge?”
Dante growled, baring his fangs.
