Page 53 of Mortal Guardian (Shadow Shifter)

Colton nodded. “You will have it as soon as she gets some rest.”

He strode to the now-empty tunnel that held the single pathway before his form shifted to the shadows and took command of Riley’s warrior. She was thankful he had regained his strength and was more than willing to let him control their trip from the caves to their living room.

They rarely made it to the bedroom, but she welcomed the soft cotton blankets that cocooned her in warmth and safety before she drifted to sleep.

* * *

Riley woke to the feeling of soft lips on her temple. The warmth and security had her snuggling closer to the man holding her. “That’s a nice way to wake up.”

“While you will need less and less sleep as you mature, I may insist on these naps just so we can wake together.”

“I would like that. Have you been in contact with Raine?” she asked.

Colton lay back on the bed, pulling her to the crook of his shoulder. “Yes. Ferguson went after Breck, but the demons collapsed a pathway to protect him. They are no longer in the caves, and we’re not sure where they went. They seem to know a lot more about our landscape than we anticipated.”

“That’s because Deruthel was coming here for years while the original priestess was alive. He seeded our world with their bloodline in order to create breeders. The women don’t travel. The females of their species died off centuries ago. They re-create them in each world.”

Colton stilled. “They abandon the women of the world?”

“Yes, but they have not had a successful transition. I believe that only the first-generation demons have the ability to breed.”

“Why?”

“It’s something to do with the portal. But the demons born in this world will only be able to breed as long as they’re here. And the new generations are abandoned when they move on.”

“The demons he brought over earlier were first Gen?”

“Yes. The only person they need now is the king,” she said.

“So, we are on the brink of destruction?”

“Deruthel didn’t want the first Gen brought here until the breeders were in place, but there seems to be some concerns about the stability of the portal,” Riley said.

“What happens if the king can’t make it here?”

“I don’t know, but they haven’t perfected the breeding process, and when they do, it will take years for those demons to mature enough to be added to the Army.”

“You have to admire their strategy. They have spent centuries watching us and preparing for war while we were completely unaware. Three or four years is nothing to them.”

“True, but Deruthel has to hide, feed and protect the first generation. If they are wiped out, then so is the demon species.”

“How are they finding the women?”

“I’m not sure. At first, I thought they could sense their blood, but Halak had to study our environment and is still trying to discern why the transitions are failing.”

“We are missing something,” Colton said.

“If we can figure out how to stop them from breeding, then we can limit the size of their army.”

“I’ll let Raine know. We will call a meeting and inform the other clans.” His hand moved in the air as black script formed, then disappeared. Moments later, he received an answer. “We will head to the wolf caves in the morning.”

“But we have time now?” She nuzzled the crook of his neck, kissing her way along his jaw. The masculine taste was nothing compared to his tongue as it swept through her lips. Dominating hers as they dueled. She caught it, sucking hard, as he groaned into her mouth. She loved these moments. Tucked away from the world in their private oasis.

“I want you,” he whispered as he massaged her breasts. The erotic feel of his touch had her arching toward him, pining for the sensations only he could provide. A perfect paradise created by her mate.

His hands were everywhere, intimately exploring every inch of her body. His mouth was magical, licking and sucking her skin; sending shivers of pleasure wherever he touched. He was her demon of darkness, and she was a slave to his mastery. Thankful for every passionate moment they had together.

When he licked her nipple, she arched her back, wanting to prolong the amazing sensation. She wasn’t sure how she’d endured the days alone, captured by Deruthel. She did know that she never wanted another moment without him. There would be a hard decision based on what she learned in the cave, but she would deal with those as they came. Anything was endurable, as long as she had Colton by her side.

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