Page 58 of The Firebrand
“Why would someone follow me? Why would he want to kill me? Most people like me. You’re the only person I piss off. Besides, he was following me before I even met you or learned Scath existed.”
“The incubus wasn’t trying to off you. Me? Yeah. But he couldn’t.”
“Why?”
“An incubus feeds on lifeforce. He can taste or feast. If he lays a hand over your heart too long, flesh to flesh, he’ll drain you. Jax was SOL when he tried the move on me. I have enough incubus in me to be immune.”
Braelyn latched onto Rein’s elbow, her thigh-high boot-clad legs keeping in step beside him. “I’m glad.”
The rest of the walk was in silence as Rein thought about the oddities of the attack.
When they neared the portal, sandwiched between high-rise apartments and a bank building, she sidled up to him, her leg brushing against his, ready for a lift.
Rein blocked a smile behind his fist. “That’s not necessary. I can transport you by touching your arm.”
“What?”
“A harmless joke.” No longer able to contain himself, Rein erupted with a full-throttle laugh.
“Ha ha ha! Another lie to add to all the others.”
“Yeah, but this was just a little one.” He squeezed his thumb and index finger together as he flashed her a grin that had most females shucking their panties. “I’m a monster, remember. No ethical behavior here.”
“That seems to be my problem. I don’t always want ethical behavior from you.”
****
Braelynlanded at the stronghold with Rein’s hand clasped around her upper arm, not only reeling from the attack but also wondering why she had opted to stay on Scath. Was it her father’s revelation or her attraction to the vampire mix?
Hmm. I’ll think about that later.
“I enjoy grabbing your ass better.” Rein hustled her into a gym on the same floor.
“Pervert.”
“I go with my strengths. Gotta make a call. You okay for a sec?”
“Yeah. I’m holding it together.” Who knew battling cancer was a cure-all for fear of death-by-bad-guy?
“Wait here.” He touched his D-chip, stepping out of her hearing range.
While Rein was busy on the phone, she watched the gym action, her gaze darting from one buff Firebrand to another while she took in the free weights, machines, and sparring area. She whistled when Rein joined her. “Wow. This is unbelievable. Do magical superheroes need to work out?”
Rein smirked. “You may have noticed we’re a tad aggressive. Gotta blow it off somehow. We can’t kill or fuck all the time.”
“Hmm.” She ignored the snark.
“Besides, just because we’re blessed with great bodies…”
“Along with giant egos.”
He raised his brows. “And genetic abilities, doesn’t mean we are without weaknesses.”
“You have weaknesses?”
He grinned. “I was talking about the others.”
“Of course. So, this muscle comes from lifting weights?” Braelyn squeezed Rein’s bicep between both hands. She sighed, leaning toward him, her breasts smashed against his arm.
