Page 34

“Have you noticed the chaos everywhere?” Noah flung his hand out. “I’m pretty sure our dead are being refrigerated?—”

“Refrigerated?”

“Kept cold until such time they can be identified and processed.” Noah glanced back at the dragon. Some dead vampires were not going to be at the top of anyone’s list. “I can help you find the missing dragon, but I don’t know anything about dealing with dead bodies or who to talk to. My aunt will be able to help you—she’s a cop”

Silas put his finger beneath Noah’s chin and lifted, forcing him to look up at him. It was such a small, gentle move, Noah could’ve resisted or stepped back or even jerked his head away, but he didn’t.

He did, however, resist the urge to lick his lower lip.

His body betrayed him, heat sliding through his veins and making him hungry for more. More of what, he wasn’t sure, but he knew he smelled of something very different from fear. He hoped the dragon didn’t do him in.

From the curve on Silas’ lips, the dragon didn’t need to say anything.

Noah swallowed, but didn’t pull away.

“You are being most helpful. And it will be rewarded.” Silas said in a low voice that rippled straight through him and lodged in his balls.

His dick throbbed, hard and aching.

Silas was definitely a sex demon. That was the only logical explanation.

“When is the next full moon?” Silas repeated his earlier question.

“In about a week. Why, do you have a deadline?”

“No, but I will need to make a progress report. And I need to negotiate with your grandmother for the use of the bar. Then we will search for the dragon. Can your friends meet us here? Do they have cars?”

“They do, but they may not be able to leave their streets. I’ll find out.”

Silas’ thumb brushed over his chin before releasing him.

Noah drew in a breath. No man had ever affected him like that. It was much easier to admit that he was attracted to Silas now that he wore something stylish, even though it clearly wasn’t human. No, the incubus appeared to have walked off the set of a fantasy movie.

“You do that, and I will talk to Linda about the vampire palace and the other issues.” Silas sighed, and his gaze drifted to something in the distance.

Noah wanted it back on him. Instead, Silas looked as though the weight of a destroyed world had crushed him. No smile curved his lips, and his hazel eyes were haunted, not glinting with gold.

Noah needed to help, even if all he did was move a few small rocks so Silas could breathe. “We’ll sort it out. I’m sure the humans in charge will be grateful for any support; they’ll be glad someone is stepping up to be the voice of your people.”

But even as he said it, he didn’t know if it was true. He’d listened to the news as he cleaned up, and some of it was awful. In some places, humans were actively hunting themonsters. And the mythological beings were retaliating. The dragons burning human buildings. Storms taking out bridges and causing landslides.

The head of the European Union had declared a state of emergency while also stating that the mythological beings were not to be hunted—they were to be treated as refugees. A civil war against people who had arrived against their will would only make it harder to rebuild. The cost of repairing the global damage was estimated in the trillions. Some people praised the decision because it set out guidelines while others decried it. Plenty of people ranted about being forced to live alongside them, fearing what vampires and werewolves and others would do.

At least one human cult, convinced the end of days had arrived, had committed mass suicide.

Insurance companies called the collapse an act of god, even though it was man-made and the scientists had taken responsibility, and they were refusing all claims.

Everything was a mess.

And this was his world. He was supposed to know what to do. Meanwhile, the mythological beings had to adapt to a new world with new rules and expectations.

Silas glanced at him. “I know you want that to be true. But I have seen city-states rise and fall. I have seen earthquakes and wars and everything in between. Disaster does not bring out the best in people.”

“Not in everyone, but in enough. My aunt says that if a few people start helping, others will join in. The humans are herd animals and will follow a leader.”

Silas nodded. “Most people, of any kind, are looking for a leader in times of trouble.”

“Adults are always looking for a more qualified adult.”