Page 83 of The Demon's Fire
“Right, man. I’m so fucked.”
“Okay then. Back to business. Call her in.”
Chay didn’t move. “But what am I going to do?”
“Does this look say I care? We’ve got serious stuff on our plates.”
“But I need help.” Chay tapped his temple as a reminder. “Head. Straight.”
Rein sighed, nodded, and flashed on how Braelyn had messed with his legendary control. His freckled, smartass human had him by the short hairs leading him into the twilight zone. “I’m only going to say this once, so listen close. If she’s your fated mate, you’re screwed. Females scramble your brains. You may never figure out why she drives you crazy, but she will. Here’s the sick part. She may aggravate the hell out of you, but you’ll keep coming back for more. She’ll push every button you’ve got, but you can’t wait until you see her smile. You can’t breathe if she’s out of your sight for too long. You want to kill anyone who even hurts her feelings. She will trust you with her life, and you won’t let her down. If her feet are sore, you’ll rub them. In short, you’ll wonder who in the hell you are. She’ll become your best friend, eternal love, light in the darkness, greatest strength. So, wave the fucking white flag. You’re already a goner. Ask her to be your mate. Now, get Margo in here.”
Chay slapped Rein on the shoulder. “Thanks, man. Best advice you’ve ever given me.” He opened the door. “Red.”
Rein scrubbed a fist across his head, ready to pray to Gahya if it would bring the commander home.
I don’t want to deal with this crap. No wonder he sets walls on fire.
Margo returned to the office, arms crossed over her chest.
Rein’s cobalt blues studied her. “He can stay. I’m beaten. Does she know what she’s getting?”
“Red’s ylve-struck,” answered Chay with a shrug.
Margo jammed a springy curl behind her ear. “I am not. You’re human-struck.”
Rein expelled a sigh. “You deserve each other. Anyway, sit down. Chay says he told you about our search for Blood Coven descendants, which took us to you in Cleveland. The short of it is, you are one.”
Chay squeezed Margo’s hand. “We guessed as much. Now what?”
“Margo, you have a big bullseye on your chest. The biggest. Cerberus already kidnapped you once. Our job is to protect you from the asshole.”
Rein clasped his hands behind his neck. His lip curled into a snarl, revealing sharp fangs. “That’s why you’ll live here.”
Margo looked a little bleary-eyed. “Okay. Maybe I am a witch. Blood Coven descendant. Fodder for this Cerberus character.”
Tears gathered in her eyes.
Shit.Chay’s female is getting weepy.
“How long are we talking? My life’s on Earth. My career is only now taking off. Some of the bigger galleries are starting to exhibit my pieces. I didn’t ask for any of this. I spent my life wanting to create my art, finding the perfect studio, developing my own style, becoming known in the industry…”
Rein interrupted. “Make no mistake, Margo, if you’re on your own, you will be snatched again. We can keep you safe. Kole, our real commander, talked about housing descendants here at the stronghold. But I don’t know how long you’ll have to be here.”
Chay sent her a grin. “Red, you can set up a studio right here on Scath. And we have a huge art community. I’m not part of it, but I’ll make damn sure you are. You can keep in touch with the galleries on Earth. Visit whenever you want. Nothing you have gained will be lost. I promise.” Chay brushed a tear from her cheek. “Of course, I’ll be the gum stuck to your shoe wherever you go.”
Margo’s lips tilted into a smile. “At least, there are perks.”
“You bet. Perks in the morning, perks at night, perks pretty much anytime I’m not on duty.”
“Find an apartment on the second floor. They’re big. Some bigger than others.” Rein swiveled his chair toward Chay. “Show her around. Take her on a tour of the art district in Bludhaven. And, Margo, make the place your own. Whatever you need is yours. Chay, you’re in charge of finding her two trainers. One for weapons. Another for skills.”
“I went to school to become a sculptor. It only stands to reason witches need training also. Anyway, controlling this radio wave thing is difficult?”
Chay gripped both of her upper arms. “Hot damn, Red. We’ll pick out an apartment here for us. You can jazz it up however you like. A two-bedroom so you can have your studio.” He stopped abruptly. “Hey. Brakes on. Maybe I’m getting ahead of myself. Maybe you’d rather have a place by yourself. If that’s what you want, then I’ll plant myself in the one next door to make sure nobody bothers you. Not even me, if that’s what you want.”
She hesitated for only a sec. “Don’t be silly, ylve baby. I want you with me. Just try to escape.”
“Sabine and Tyr brought in an Alliance agent, another Blood Coven descendant. You’ll have company. Nico Abello. A real charmer.” Rein didn’t mention he was the guy who had kissed Braelyn right before Silas knocked him on his ass. “He’s cooling his jets in an upstairs apartment. The hothead can use some chill time.”
