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“We were just thinking you’d like to come to a party with us. We can try out your potion and have a little fun. Or we can go over to your trailer or wherever you sleep and talk.” Cap man takes a step closer, the sound of crunching leaves and snapping twigs infinitely too loud. “You didn’t even tell us your name.”

I’m not playing this game. They have no idea the shit show they’ve gotten themselves into and I’m not going to tell them.

“You both have made a huge mistake coming back here. Leave. Now.”

The two snort and cackle like I’m hilarious but that’s all the warning they’re getting because I know I’m not alone, and my demon is bigger than both of them.

“Why are you being such a bitch?” the blond one huffs. “We came all the way to see you and you’re being rude. You could at least thank us for even thinking of you.”

“That was your mistake. I already belong to someone, and he doesn’t like anyone else touching me.”

They howl and, for the first time, I can smell the alcohol on their breaths. Not that it matters. I already know they’re not leaving these woods alive.

I’m proven correct when a scaly tail slides around my waist and drags me back into a solid wall of heat. A deep, rumbling voice sounds from over my head

“I don’t.”

All hilarity dies as the two spin to face Warrick’s piercing red eyes. Their faces morph into masks of horror.

I think I understand that fear. Warrick is a demon. How many humans can say they’ve actually confronted a real one?

“You should have taken her advice. You should have left. I wouldn’t have let you leave, not after hearing your reasons for being here, thinking you could take what’s mine, but I would have given you a head start. Now, I’m just going to kill you.” He nuzzles the side of my head. “Cover your ears, Seraphine.”

I do, obediently, muffling the world. I don’t see him move, but the punch of air as he dives for the pair sends me forward by two steps. My hair blows into my face, blinding me to the scene of the men screaming and running.

We’ve had townies slip into the carnival in the past thinking they could catch usfreaksunaware. It never ends well for them. Thefreaksdon’t like outsiders trespassing through our home uninvited.

But this is different. They came to attack me. They thought I was weak and unprotected. Just how many other women had they visited and gotten away with it?

Still, I try not to listen as their howls crescendo in the night. As they become blood curdling and masked beneath the crunch and snap of bones.

I keep my ears covered even after silence resumes and Warrick’s magnificent silhouette shifts out of the shadows, crimson eyes blazing. Even in the dark, the stain running down his chin and across his chest is unmistakable, as is the shredded top he’s using to clean himself off. I’m sure that belonged to cap man.

I lower my hands and watch his fluid approach. All animal and power. His strength winds around me like a protective blanket, securing me.

He’s before me with no more than a stir of air. His massive form towers over me, a shadowy outline with glowing eyes and flashing fangs. My heart barely has a chance to skip a full beat when his tail snaps around my middle and yanks me into his waiting claws.

“Where were we?”

I lean into him. “My punishment.”

He hums softly into the side of my face. “I warned you I would not go easy on you. You made it worse by running. Did you think you could escape me?”

I can’t catch my breath. Every cell in my body is aware of him in a way that has my nerves on edge. My blood roars hot through my veins and pounds viciously between my ears. I’m trembling and it’s not out of fear.

“I knew you would catch me.”

His head dips. His teeth nip my bottom lip hard enough to draw blood and a cry from me.

“Did you also know you doubled your punishment?”

I go up on my toes and wind my arms around his neck.

“I’ll do whatever you want,” I breathe unevenly.

Warrick unfurls his tongue from between his fangs, a long, pink strip that flicks across my bottom lip with the tapered point. My mouth automatically opens, extending an invitation for invasion that he doesn’t hesitate in accepting. Across my tongue, I feel his peel apart and separate into two prongs that twine around mine and stroke.

Aiden took my first kiss this morning, and it had been rough and angry. Warrick’s split tongue gliding over mine, squeezing and massaging is the polar opposite. It’s almost sweet and gentle, but I can feel the currants of his irritation humming through the palms of his hands drifting down the exposed skin my top doesn’t cover. I can feel his restraint in the subtle anchoring of his claws into my sides.