Page 96 of Demon's Mate
Ash endedwhat was left of Arthur Nightingale’s life quickly and sent him to a watery grave. There was no point lingering over the task. Returning to Harper’s side was more important than punishing his father. The afterlife could have him.
Ash and Dante returned to shore and dealt with the rest of the coven. Mind control was easiest, even if it wasn’t the most moral way to approach the situation. Ash could threaten and intimidate the witches, but the Nightingales had been hunting demons. They might attack rather than run scared, even without their leader.
Ash wanted them gone. Away from Harper forever, without any risk that they might regroup and come back to Shearwater Landing.
He banished the Nightingale Coven from the city, forcing the members to run home. Their leader was dead, and they were no longer welcome on the West Coast.
He’d keep tabs on the coven. Whether he’d share that with Harper, he wasn’t sure. He might keep that plan to himself, at least for now. Moving on was most important for his flower. But if Arthur was replaced with someone just as bad, furtherintervention might be necessary. If the Nightingale Coven ever caused trouble in the magic world or among humans, he’d deal with it.
After disposing of the destroyed car and checking on the driver—who only had minor injuries—Dante flew back to the apartment building with him.
Harper’s faint presence prickled in the back of Ash’s mind the whole time they were apart, a newly formed awareness telling him his mate was safe. He wouldn’t have left otherwise, regardless of the apartment’s protections.
Now that Ash was nearing his mate, the connection flared, as if welcoming him home.
How had he not realized the mating bond was this complex or dynamic? For thousands of years, he’d seen the mating ritual as the singular event to bind him to his mate, but he and Harper were already weaving together.
Ash and Dante landed on the roof and headed down to the apartment, their wings, tails, and horns tucked out of sight.
“I just want to see he’s all right before I go,” Dante explained as if he needed an excuse.
Ash smiled. Dante was attached to Harper already. “I’m sure he won’t mind if you want to stick around.”
“No, probably not, but I need to track down Onyx. He completely ignored my calls.”
Ash grunted. If Onyx had helped, maybe they wouldn’t have lost Luc. But he’d worry about that later. He knocked on Harper’s door.
There was a scurry of movement within the apartment before the door swung open.
“Hi.” A frazzled Ollie stood before them, his hair disheveled. “Harper said it would be you, Ash.” Ollie looked him over, gaze catching on Dante behind him. “Um, hi to youtoo.” A slow smile curved Ollie’s lips, and he ran a hand through his hair.
“May we come in?” Ash asked.
“Oh.” Ollie shook himself, tearing his eyes away from Dante. Maybe he was surprised that neither Ash nor Dante wore shirts, but it was too late to do anything about that now. “Yeah, of course. Harper was just telling me all about the cult he escaped and how his dad tracked him down today. He seemed so off when I got home, I had to ask, but I never thought… Fuck. I’m so glad you were able to help him, Ash.”
“Me too.” Ash studied Ollie as they walked to the living room. Harper probably hadn’t told his friend the full story, but it was good Ollie knew Harper had a traumatizing day. Saying the Nightingales were a cult wasn’t too far from the truth. “I’m glad he has you to talk to.”
Ollie flashed him a sweet smile. “Yeah, of course.” He flopped down in an armchair, his gaze returning to Dante.
Ash joined Harper, who was slumped on the couch. “Hey there, flower.”
“Hey.” Harper hugged Ash tight. The moment dragged out. When Harper finally released him, he pulled away slowly, as if he didn’t want to. Harper’s cheeks darkened as he registered Dante standing in the doorway, like he was embarrassed the other demon saw him be so clingy. “Hey, Dante. Come sit. There’s plenty of room.”
Dante jolted like he’d been caught by surprise. His eyes flicked from Ollie to Harper, then back again. “That’s okay. I can’t stay. I just wanted to check on you.”
Harper gave him a tired smile. “I appreciate it.”
What was with Dante’s expression? It changed too quickly to be sure.
“Anytime, Harper. I’ll see you soon.” Dante nodded to Ollie, gaze lingering, then turned and left.
Ollie shot a meaningful look at Harper. “You should definitely invite him over again.”
Harper gave a nervous laugh, body vibrating against Ash. “Yeah, maybe.”
Was Ollie interested in Dante?
Ash had to tell Harper not to get Ollie’s hopes up. Dante was waiting for his mate, and while he’d reacted to Ollie, Ash didn’t think it was more than general appreciation. Ollie was attractive. Anyone could see that.
