Page 46

CHAPTER 45

I wake up before dawn like always, even though I was up all night fucking my angel and making her realise just how much I want her. I half expected her to sneak away during the early hours, but when a soft breath wafts over my chest, I look down. Her leg is thrown over mine, her arm is draped across my chest, and her head is notched just below my chin. I don’t move, don’t even dare to breathe.

Her face is relaxed, making her appear so much younger and softer without the weight of her alertness on her. In sleep, she is at peace, able to rest and let down her guard. The fact that she feels safe enough to do that in my arms makes me want to roar in victory, but instead, I wrap my arms around her and kiss the top of her head. My eyes slide shut once more as I bask in the happiness I feel.

I have a never-ending list to do as a commander, but for once, I ignore it and put myself first. They can all fucking wait. I won’t wake my girl for anything.

I laze around until she moves closer, rubbing against my morning wood. My eyes snap open, narrowing on her. Her breathing is the same, and her body is still relaxed, but she rubs across me teasingly, and my eyes narrow further.

It’s either an innocent touch or she’s playing with me.

Knowing Tate, I know which it is.

“I know you’re awake, so unless you want me to fuck your pretty cunt, stop teasing me,” I growl, trying my best to ignore my hard cock.

I feel her smile against my skin, and then the little devil rubs herself over me again. I snarl in warning, and she chuckles and lifts her head, her eyes bright.

I expected to have to hunt my angel down and demand she not run after she gave into this thing between us, but she just stretches with a yawn before kissing my chin. “Morning.”

“Morning,” I whisper.

“Your bed is comfy.” She groans as she rolls to her back and stretches further. I watch the magnificence that is my girl and her incredible, toned body.

“Then have it, but I want you to know that it comes with me in it.” She opens her eyes and rolls them at me. “Besides, you slept on me all night, so how would you know?”

“Are you complaining, commander?” she taunts.

I roll above her as she grins up at me. “Keep flirting with me, angel, and I’ll chain you to this bed so you can never leave.”

“I know how to pick locks,” she says casually. “Now feed me. I’m hungry, and I mean for food, not your cock.”

“Demanding little thing,” I mutter, but I grin and steal a kiss, rolling from the bed as she goes to hit me. I pad into my kitchen naked to cook for her while she lounges in my bed, right where she belongs.

I watch as she shoves another forkful into her mouth. Propping my chin on my hands, I debate how to broach the subject. I don’t want to ruin this peace between us, but she deserves to know.

“Tate, we need to talk about what happened during the fight.”

Her fork pauses, and something passes through her eyes. “You mean how I kicked your ass?” she jokes.

“No,” I reply seriously, and her jaw ticks. “The visions you gave me.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” she mutters, but she won’t meet my gaze.

“I know your gift, angel, so there is no point in pretending otherwise, but I’ve never seen you do that before. Is shoving visions into others’ heads new?” I wait, hoping she’ll trust me enough to tell me.

“It’s new,” she finally says. “I didn’t even know I could do it. It just happened.” Her voice is small and hesitant.

“I expected as much. Do you know much about your ability?” I ask. It’s something I’ve wanted to know for a while, but Tate keeps her cards close to her chest.

“Not really. I was born with it. My father helped me control it and gave me things to help, like gloves. I wondered why I was born with this ability, but after a while, I stopped thinking of it as a curse and stopped questioning. It’s just part of me,” she admits, and the fact that she trusts me with that makes me smile.

“I agree. It’s a gift.” I debate how to proceed, but Tate values truth over everything else. “Do you remember what the fae called you the day you woke up?”

“Seer,” she murmurs.

“I was curious why the fae called you that. They do not give titles lightly.” I look at her hands knowingly, and she pales. “I did some secret digging and research.” Her eyes narrow, and I hold my hand up. “So I could help you. You are the type that likes the truth, so I figured you would want it too.”

“Fine.” She sits back. “And what did you find?”

“I traced your bloodline back. Your gifts, Tate, are not a freak accident. You are a descendant of an ancient, powerful fae lineage. It has been filtered down through your blood, lessened and weakened by human blood, but it’s there.” She gapes at me, and I smile. “You’re part fae, Tate, at least enough to receive some of their power and gifts. You’re still human,” I say, heading off that train of thought. “Now you simply know.”

She watches me for a moment, and I brace for her anger or sadness, but she just watches me, something gleaming in her eyes.

“What is it?” I ask, hoping she will trust me enough to share what is worrying her. I want to be her partner, her safe place. I want Tate to come to me with anything, not just about hunters, but about her life. She got her revenge and is planning an overhaul of the hunters, but there is more to her life than killing.

“When I was dying, I went to a place . . . . I thought it was the afterlife or a weird dream. There were these women, and they claimed I was one of them, but it was not my time . . . . I think they were my family. I think I am their descendant,” she shares softly, her voice almost worshipful.

“Makes sense. Fae often have visions, and coupled with your gift, you probably reached out to them beyond the grave. It does make me curious about how strong your gift could truly be. You have spent your entire life repressing and hiding it, so maybe it’s time to embrace it and train. You’re not just a hunter anymore. You are so much more. You’re a bridge to the monsters. You will need every inch of strength you have to continue that. I want to keep you safe. I want you to win.” I offer her my hand, and she lays hers in it, reading the truth in my memories. “I think we should start to train it. Let’s make you invincible.”

She looks at my hand and then to me and nods. “I think you’re right. I will probably need it for what is to come.” Her eyes go far away.

“What do you mean?” I ask, worry tightening my chest.

She blinks and looks at me. “I don’t know. I just get this feeling we need to be as strong as we can possibly be.”

Those words hammer into my chest, laced with foresight and prophecy.

Something is coming. Something we need to be prepared for.

That thought alone gets me moving.