Page 35 of The Mating Fire
Jared hadn’t touched any of the sandwiches, only pausing now and then to sip the water. He drummed his long, elegant fingers on the tablecloth.
“You cannot leave. You need to test out your powers to defend yourself against the formidable demons of this world.”
“There are no such creatures.” Even as she uttered the words, Harper knew she didn’t believe her own words. It was simply making a bold statement like a child declaring the dark held no monsters.
Because if you did admit they existed, that’s when they would sneak out of the closet or from under the bed and grab you…
“There are demons who make Krampus look as benevolent as Santa Claus, my dear. Terrors you cannot imagine, not even in your darkest nightmares.”
Jared studied her with his dark gaze. “Do you know how your parents died?”
“My birth parents? No. There was a letter… and some guy named Caderyn who claims he is a wizard told me the answers lay inside the volcano. Stupid answer… and he told me to searchmy memories. But all I remember are the people who I called my parents my whole life!”
Miserable, she hugged herself. “Why doesn’t anyone tell me the truth?”
“The truth can hurt us sometimes.” Jared rubbed his beard. “Are you prepared for answers? You may not like what I have to say.”
“Yes. If you know, tell me, please! I’m floundering here in the dark, and in the space of one day I went from Harper the scientist fascinated with volcanoes to some kind of magick being whose real parents died. I have no history, and no sense of the past.”
Jared’s voice went cold. “They were powerful Others. A demon named SaqraYazez killed them. He sought their powers and will seek yours. You cannot fight him alone. Not until you’re better prepared.”
Ice settled into her insides. “How… did he kill them?”
“It is not pleasant.” Jared’s expression turned almost sympathetic. “But you deserve to know the truth, because this demon is dangerous, and you cannot underestimate him.”
“Enough! How did they die?!”
His eyes flared crimson, like hellfire. “Saqra Yazez waited for the right moment when they were distracted… and he struck. He pierced their bodies over and over with his fangs and then when they were weakened and in tremendous pain, sucked out all their powers, leaving nothing but dry husks of their bodies.”
Her mouth went dry. “No, oh dear heavens, how could they get distracted if they were these powerful beings? It makes no sense!”
Her heart hammered inside her chest as acid churned in her stomach. Somehow, she knew the answer before Jared told her.
“You, my dear Harper. You are the reason they were distracted. The reason why they perished.”
Chapter 13
Nothing like telling the woman he wanted to seduce that she had killed her own parents.
Sagging into her chair, Harper broke down sobbing.
Damn, this was not his intention. He’d planned a light lunch, perhaps flirting and coaxing her into relaxing. Instead, she was left stricken and shocked.
He didn’t know what to do. Emotional distance was his game, not emotional intimacy.
But when he saw her, weeping and distraught, he instinctively needed to comfort her. Her tears were a hammer upon the cold stone he called a heart. Made him squirm and feel helpless.
All he could do was offer his arms and a place to release her pent-up sorrow.
Jared picked her up in his arms and marched upstairs with her. No protest from Harper, who curled into him as if he were the last safe place on earth.
With extreme care he laid her on the bed, unzipped the pink and purple ankle boots and tossed them aside. Exhausted from her outburst, she closed her eyes.
Knowing she needed a reprieve; he murmured a sleep spell to lure her into deep rest.
“You will have only pleasant dreams, happy memories of the ones who bore you. You will sleep and awaken refreshed and peaceful,” he whispered, brushing away a lock of black hair from her cheek.
She looked helpless, her face pale against the sheets, salt droplets clinging to her long black lashes. Enchanted he reached over and touched one. His finger came away wet, and he trembled inside with rage and some other unknown emotion.
