Page 29

Harlow

Tuesday Afternoon

Dark Haven Library

“ W e have Sadie down on the streets of Ridgefield now with a report about what is going on. Sadie, can you fill us in?”

My heart sank as the news switched from the anchor to the one on the field. She was standing in a parking lot, a huge sinkhole already sucking several cars into the void.

“Angie, it’s madness out here. This is the fourth sinkhole this week. Which begs the question, how safe is Ridgefield?”

The poor girl looked shaken. Her eyes were wide and skin pale as she reported on the disaster.

Who could blame her? There had been reports of sinkholes, insane weather, and even smaller cases of raging fires since the demons broke free.

“We have someone from the city here to talk to us. This is Don Carlton from the street department.”

“Thanks for having me,” he said with a fake smile. You could see the worry lining his features. They were all shaken. “We’re all working as hard as we can to discover the source of these sinkholes. Unfortunately, so far, we have no definitive information. Everything has been up to code and it is almost… unexplainable.”

Angie laughed, thinking it was a joke until he shook his head and walked away from her, leaving an awkward silence in his wake.

“That’s promising.” I sighed. “We have to do something.”

“What can we do?” Layne countered. “Walk out there and be like, ‘well you see, demons are the cause’?”

“Burn the whole city,” Crew muttered. “They’d suffer less.”

He’d been the hardest to adjust to the new life we were all thrust into. Fear had turned him from the fun-loving guy I’d met to a sarcastic jerk.

Then again, we were all barely medicated, missing days and taking half doses half the time to get through when the staff was absent.

A figure loomed behind the TV. It had been following me all day, a reminder I’d rationed my meds by half for two days now and really needed to get the fuck out of here.

“I’m going to lunch,” I said, standing so abruptly that Roman almost tumbled off of the couch. I’d been sticking close to him since he’d switched places with Hiro. I wondered if it was a voluntary switch or if Hiro was done with him hiding and blaming himself.

It was painful to see someone as strong as Roman beat himself down mentally. I was doing what I could to help, but I had problems in spades.

This was one he had to face and conquer on his own.

“Have fun,” Crew said pointedly, earning an annoyed huff from Layne.

“You need to get your head out of your ass. Get up,” she ordered. “We’ll head for the boiler room to get some of this fucking tension out of you and hopefully you’ll come back a happier person.”

Crew looked annoyed but stood anyway.

“Wait, no. I can’t protect you both,” Stravos challenged. “My orders are to protect Harlow at all costs.”

His panic had me raising an eyebrow. Layne walked up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, which wasn’t easy since he towered over her significantly. She leaned in and breathed him in… like I did with my mates.

Interesting.

“Look, my growly friend. Unless you plan to come join us, you weren’t invited anyway,” she stated. “Let me know if you ever do want to join. Harlow might be onto something, fucking these monsters...”

She yanked Crew with her to the elevator. I’d never seen a gargoyle so stunned. I gave him a sympathetic smile as I walked past.

Layne and Crew argued as they stood in the elevator waiting, not caring if we overheard. The couple had some things to figure out if Stravos was also her mate. Crew seemed reluctant to share but she was an omega… she needed an alpha.

“She’s honestly great, you should go for it. Duty doesn't mean you aren’t allowed a mate, Stravos,” I offered before piling in with Roman at my back.

Stravos followed us but his eyes were burning a hole into Layne the entire time.

When the elevator reached the basement, we all stepped off. Layne and Crew made a beeline for the kitchen to slip toward the maintenance hall.

At this point even the staff didn’t yell out any protests, simply ignoring them. They’d been through so many times I doubted the staff even cared.

As I piled my tray with an insane amount of food and walked to the table, I caught more than one conversation about classes or therapy.

While our world was falling apart and the demons and gargoyles were fighting ruthless battles, the humans were oblivious.

What the fuck.

“Did anyone notice they’re acting like it’s business as usual here?” I hissed at Roman.

Stravos cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I think I can help with that. They’ve been shielded from the supernatural so other than the courtyard being off-limits for ‘renovations’, they’re none the wiser. If they looked down from their rooms, it would look like construction.”

“You can do all that?” Roman questioned.

Even I was shocked to hear the new fact.

So far, I had learned very little about gargoyles. Other than they were the balance to the demons and Monty and Kol had some sort of rivalry going.

Kol was more intent on telling me I was his mate and fucking me than trying to actually talk.

“No, it’s the demon’s work,” he admitted. “Demons are the masters of illusion and disguise. We’ve got strength and wings on our side, and we’re made to kill demons, so there’s that.”

“Interesting,” I said with a nod as I absorbed the new information.

“I’m team gargoyle,” Roman joked. We both burst out into laughter at that while Stravos looked confused.

“I guess I have to be team why choose,” I deadpanned. “I’ve got a demon, a half demon, two humans, and a gargoyle in my bed.”

“Hiro and I need to up our supernatural game to compete,” he joked, though I could see a bit of unease there.

Roman seemed to doubt himself more lately. I put a hand on his arm, waiting to speak until he looked up at me.

I hated the vulnerability I found in his gaze.

“Hey, I like that you’re human, Roman. If you haven’t noticed, so am I. Stop doubting your ability to keep us all safe. You’ve proven you’re capable more than once since I’ve met you.”

My voice was firm. He looked away, not saying anything as he placed a hand on my thigh, squeezing slightly. He heard me, it might just take time for him to believe them, too.

The doors slammed open, the cafeteria falling silent as Drake burst in. He looked right at our table before his face shifted to fury and he power walked over.

“I told you not to leave,” he ground out through a clenched jaw. “Not after the last attack.”

Somehow he kept his voice both scathing and quiet, so the others couldn’t hear us as well.

“You’re not my warden, Drake,” I told him, matching his energy. “I wasn’t going to stay in that room perpetually. I had to get out and I’m with my freaking bodyguard.”

I pointed at Stravos who nodded solemnly. He didn’t need to know how badly I needed my meds. There was enough on his plate.

“I don’t give a fuck who you’re with, Harlow. Do you not realize what we’re up against?” he continued.

“You’re being a bit harsh,” Roman cut in. “She’s not alone or reckless. Look around, Drake. We’ve been hiding away but they’re living life like normal. What good are we doing there?”

“I have a dagger,” I tacked on. He bit back a growl. The alpha was so tense his veins were bulging in his neck and forearms as he clenched his hands into tight fists.

“They have no clue what they’re up against,” he argued. “ You do. You’re too important, Harlow. Not just to us, but Hel.”

“Why?” I demanded. “She still has yet to give me any real fucking reason why. What reason do I have to hide away? To fight?”

“I have no idea, but I don’t question someone like Hel,” he said before dropping into his seat. His green eyes were dull and shadowed, dark circles coloring the flesh beneath them.

“Have you slept? Or ate?” I demanded. He looked up and scoffed. Oh, hell no. “Answer me.”

He thought he could order me around but ignore me. Not fucking happening.

“I’m looking for Vane,” he argued. “Demon blood, remember? I’m fine. This isn’t about me.”

“Well, maybe it’s fucking time someone started to think about you,” I expressed.

He looked confused as I stood and stalked toward the buffet line. He was on my heels in seconds, demanding answers and getting increasingly more annoyed when I ignored him.

By the time I made it to the end, he was vibrating with frustration. When I finished, I shoved the full tray in his hands and stalked back to the table.

“What the hell, Harlow?” he asked when he dropped it on the table.

“I know you’re not an idiot, Drake. Fucking eat.” My voice was dry as I barely hid my own annoyance. This wasn’t just about me, or him, we were a pack and needed to start acting like it. Packs took care of each other.

“That’s not the feeding he needs to do,” Stravos said.

Again, my angry half demon was on his feet, right in Stravos’s face despite the height difference. His demon form was coming out to play.

Even if he didn’t, I appreciated the gargoyle’s honesty. He gave me more information than any of the others were willing to give.

“Mind your fucking business, gargoyle,” Drake said in an icy tone that had me shivering.

Stravos didn’t back down, but three more gargoyles were by his side in seconds, claws and fangs extending as they prepared for a battle.

“Drake!” My yell had the humans around us jumping in their seats.

It was hard to keep whispering when I was ready to throat punch a half demon.

Then an idea struck me, and I took off, running through the room and to the kitchens.

I could hear footsteps thundering behind me but because of the obstacles in the way and my ability to dodge them—thanks to years on the street running from the law—I got through the hall and into a storage room before he caught me.

“Harlow.” My name was a feral growl on his lips, but I smirked at how his cock was pushing against his jeans.

“Fuck me, Drake,” I ordered him, stripping out of my clothes, bending over, and spreading my legs so my pussy was on display. I knew it was glistening with slick. I also knew he wouldn’t be able to resist knotting me. “Don’t hold back. Feed as you fuck me.”

There was no foreplay as he shed his clothes and pushed against me. Sharp teeth scraped over my skin as he dug his fingers into my flesh. Drake moved me like a doll, shifting and positioning me to his liking. He bent me over even further, hand on my back so my face was flush against a stack of boxes.

Between his demon looks and angry touches, I was ready for him, enough slick to take his knot.

Which was for the best since he plunged into me in one thrust.

I gasped, the stretch and sting mixing with the brush of his piercings, rendering me breathless.

Each stroke was pain and pleasure at war. Harsh slams of his hips mixed with the delicious teasing of his studs.

As he fucked me, I let my anger out. Our bond was on fire with it and I used it to my advantage. I didn’t say the words, but I focused on all the things frustrating me, letting it thrum back and forth between us until it mixed with his own, making it impossible for my mate to resist.

I felt his control slowly unravel. The combined anger swelled before it slowly lessened as if someone pulled the plug and it was draining slowly.

I knew I’d be sore and bruised when he was done with me, but I didn’t care.

He needed this to survive, and I would not let him suffer. We all had our roles in this battle and since mine was on hold, the least I could do was feed my man.

“Stop,” he rumbled. His voice was so deep it rumbled through me. That mixed with his studs hitting the right place had me screaming against the orgasm that stole my breath and sanity, vision blurring and shadows dancing around us. I was playing with my emotions too much for someone on half their medication.

“No,” I bit out, anger rising yet again at his stubbornness. “Just fucking take it, you asshole. Fuck me like you mean it and feed. Then we can walk out there, eat our lunch, and you can tell me where the fuck you’ve been.”

His answer was another roar, hand digging painfully into my side as he fucked me so hard I had to cling onto the boxes for dear life, knowing damn well anyone walking by would hear us.

“You don’t make the demands,” he growled. “This is not how we’re going to do things. Forcing me to feed is fucked up.”

“Then go feed on a patient next time,” I yelled back. “Or suck it up and take it from me, the one who is willingly giving it to you.”

I’d let my anger build and seep into the air, my demon drinking it in until he lost all control, slamming home one last time before coming.

He didn’t wait for us to catch our breath before pulling out of me and going to the other side of the room.

My body ached, every movement followed with a sharp twinge. Not pushing him for now, I grabbed his boxers, cleaned myself up, and got dressed.

He was standing, hands braced on the wall, and breathing heavily.

Guilt nagged at me, afraid I’d pushed him too far, but desperate times called for desperate measures.

I would not let him unravel slowly, spiraling alone in this chaos, not when he had me.

“Don’t. Do. That. Again.”

His words were still rough, but he didn’t flinch away as I put a hand on his back. I wrapped my arms around his middle and laid my head on his back. This time I sent him reassurance through our bond. It was a calm wave that washed over us both.

He trembled under me as he fought against his own shit, but I didn’t let go.

Finally his body relaxed enough that I let go.

“I’m sorry I pushed you. But this is me showing you I refuse for you to pull away from us. You’re not sacrificing yourself for me, for us,” I said quietly.

When he turned around, he was back to human and the anger had drained from his eyes.

“You feel better, don’t you?”

He huffed and grabbed his clothes, sans boxers, changing into them before answering.

“Yes, but that’s not the fucking point, Harlow,” he muttered.

“Well, too fucking bad,” I said with a shrug. “I’m not sorry.”

Not giving a fuck if he was covered or not, I pulled open the door. I froze at the sight of a demon in front of me, hands clamped around a man’s throat. I acted on instinct, throwing myself on his back as I called out to Drake.

He threw me off and instead of hitting the wall, I hit a gargoyle, Stravos grunting as he caught me and placed me on my feet.

They moved so fast, the demon running off before Drake could kill him but the man was alive.

“I think we just intervened in another sacrifice,” I said as I took in the two men standing before us. “He could be your twin, Drake.”