Page 39

DANTE

By the late afternoon, Ash and Onyx had agreed to do shifts at Dante’s side. Ash left Dante and Onyx sitting on a rock not far from shore, enjoying the peaceful sea as the shearwaters dove for fish nearby.

“He can’t deal with being away from his sweetie long,” Onyx said once Ash was out of sight.

“Yeah. Ash won’t deny it. It’s funny seeing him so smitten.”

Onyx narrowed his eyes at Dante like he was surprised Dante agreed. “I had no idea he could be so gooey.”

“Yes, you did.” Dante elbowed him. “Even if it’s been eons since dreamy little Ash evolved into the broody demon we love.”

“ Psh , speak for yourself. I don’t love his grumpy I’m-better-than-everyone attitude.”

“He may have an attitude, but Ash doesn’t think he’s better than anyone.” If anything, it was the opposite. At least Harper seemed to have reminded Ash he was worthy of love.

“Whatever.” Onyx flicked his wrist, sending a splash of water toward the birds. “You were agreeing with me, remember? Go back to that. It was more fun. ”

“I was having a conversation with you, not agreeing for the sake of it. It’s not like I’m opposed to teasing Ash now that he’s got hearts in his eyes rather than flames.”

Onyx snickered. “And how’s your little mate?”

Dante nearly melted all over the rock. His mate . “Good. Ollie’s come around to the idea of fate, and he’s not so frightened of everything. He’s opened up to me, and I think he’s happy.”

“Aww.” Onyx pinched Dante’s cheek.

Dante swatted him away. “What was that for?”

“You’re so red. The heat coming off you is going to give me a sunburn.”

Dante swiped a hand over his face. “Shut up.”

“I’m guessing coming to terms with magic and all that jazz isn’t all that’s making your little mate happy.”

Dante sniffed. “I have no idea what you’re implying.”

Onyx laughed, scaring a nearby bird, who flew off with a squawk. “Sex, Dante. I’m implying that sharing orgasms makes your mate very happy.”

Dante mumbled something unintelligible, even to him.

Onyx tipped his head back, eyes closed. “Congrats on ending your dry spell. I’m surprised you’ve left the bedroom so soon.”

“Mating isn’t all about that.” Dante’s face got impossibly hotter. “I’m building a relationship with Ollie. We have a lot more to work out than my pent-up sex drive.”

Onyx elbowed him. “Hey, look at me. I know. I’m just being me about it.

I’m overjoyed for you, Dante. Okay? I want you to be even mushier than Ash.

Fuck, I want you to get human married so I can cry at the ceremony.

I gave up on mates, and being wrong is the best thing that’s ever happened.

Especially if it means you were right all along. ”

There was a beat of silence like they were both stunned, and then Dante wrapped a wing around Onyx and pulled him close. “Love you, brother.”

Onyx ruffled his wings, folding them more tightly so he fit better in Dante’s embrace. “Love you too, you big softie.”

Dante wanted to tell Onyx he’d be next. His mate was out there. Would that comfort or hurt him? Renewed hope in finding their mates didn’t mean Onyx’s fated love was around the corner.

Hopefully, he wouldn’t have to wait much longer. He needed more love in his life, someone he didn’t feel the need to keep outside his walls.

“How long is this going to take?” Onyx asked abruptly, all tenderness gone. “Ash better be back first thing in the morning.”

“I’m sure he will be.”

“I’ll enjoy the excuse to harass him if not.”

That first day was otherwise uneventful.

Dante allowed the birds to nest in the reserve at night so they could all sleep and any demon watching wouldn’t be suspicious of completely strange behavior.

Onyx stayed in one of Dante’s guest rooms and—much to Onyx’s annoyance—didn’t need to remind Ash about his shift in the morning.

Onyx returned promptly that afternoon like he was glad to help, or at least glad to spend time with Dante.

It was nice to fly and spend idle time together. Something had shifted between them, and hopefully, Dante would see more of Onyx without having to push so hard.

But after three days of nothing, Dante was restless. What if there was no rogue demon other than Ren? Or if there was, what if they’d moved on? Maybe whoever killed his birds never cared about finding him.

“That one is such a little shit.” Onyx pointed at a slightly larger shearwater as he and Dante hovered next to the group. “He never does anything but prester the others.”

“I think they’re playing. He’s mischievous and never wants to let up.”

“Hmm.” Onyx flew around the birds to get a better look. “Doesn’t mean he isn’t a little shit.”

A buzzing sensation shot through Dante’s temple, sending vibrations up his horns. “Damn it. Onyx, someone’s trying to break one of my protective spells.”

Onyx was at his side in a blur of blue wings. “The one on the reserve or Harper and Ollie’s apartment?”

“The spell around the reserve.”

“It has to be our mystery demon.” Onyx gestured to the north. “Come on.”

Dante shook himself and flew after Onyx, calling the shearwaters with him.

Had his trap been too obvious, leading the demon to believe Dante’s home was exposed while he was busy bating his attacker?

He wouldn’t have thought so. Even if a small group of shearwaters was conspicuous after the flock had been so tightly contained, how had the demon found the spells protecting the reserve?

Dante’s protections were cloaked in counterspells to prevent magical beings from realizing they were barred from the clifftop.

Every witch, vampire, and demon in the city was under the illusion they were disinterested in the sanctuary, and if they got close to the protected area, they wouldn’t sense even a hint of magic before they were repelled by an illusion.

But the buzzing didn’t stop. Someone was breaking in.

“I’ll call Ash.” Onyx brought his phone to his ear .

Good. He’d meet them there.

As Dante sped up, the urge to check on Ollie reverberated through him. He’d be safe at work, and the demon couldn’t attack Ollie if they were at the reserve, but fear for his mate wasn’t soothed by logic.

Dante swore he felt Ollie’s blood hot on his hands, the smell of copper drowning out the salt air. He clamped his eyes shut.

Could he break Ollie’s trust to check on him through the bond? Would Ollie understand, or would it remind him how much there was to fear in their connection?

Dante’s limbs went cold despite his burning fire. He couldn’t let anything happen to his mate. But he needed to give Ollie the choice of how much to share.

He sent the small flock of shearwaters across the city instead. They’d keep an eye on Ollie, just in case.

Onyx finished his phone call and turned to Dante. “How did they get past your web of illusion? You haven’t had a single trespasser since you set up the reserve.”

“I don’t know. Not even Luc found me.” A twist of unease uncoiled within Dante. His deflections worked against his greatest enemy, but not this random birdkiller?

“Exactly.” Onyx’s expression darkened. “Luc heard of your birds. That’s how he knew to find us in Shearwater Landing. Searching for you around their nests would be step one, but your illusions were strong enough to keep him away.”

“So this demon is more powerful than Luc?”

“That, or they’re working together.”

But Luc couldn’t be back. Ash wouldn’t miss it. “Why wait to attack until now if they’re working together?”

“I don’t know.”

Ash caught up to them over the waterfront. “Good to go?”

“No, we’re hoping for a break first,” Onyx snapped.

“Don’t worry. We’ve got this,” Ash said, for once seeing past Onyx’s attitude to the reason he lashed out.

“ Worry ? Not likely.” Onyx put on a burst of speed. “Just get your fire ready, big boy.”

Ash cut a glance at Dante. “My fire is always ready.”

Dante scanned the approaching cliff. Nothing looked out of place, which was no surprise. Attacking without an invisibility illusion would be foolish.

He led the way to the top of the cliff. “Revealing spells on three?”

Ash gave an affirmative grunt, positioning himself back to back with Dante, and Onyx fell in line at a right angle.

Dante pulled on the deep well of magic inside him, his fire roaring to life. Onyx and Ash flared with heat beside him. “One, two, three.”

Magic surged from the trio, rolling out in all directions.

Over the cliff edge, something sparked and flickered.

“There!” Dante pointed and flew straight for it.

An unseen body collided with his and Dante scrambled for purchase, grabbing until he caught what felt like a neck.

Releasing a second revealing spell, Dante crushed the being into the rocks below. A face appeared and disappeared. Another second later, the illusion shattered.

Dante held a slim demon by the throat, his eyes burning green. Vague recognition tickled at the back of Dante’s mind, but he couldn’t recall this demon’s name.

Fire erupted from the demon, and Dante swore as it kissed his skin. His grip loosened and the demon struggled to get up, but his wings were pinned beneath him.

Dante readjusted his hold and squeezed the demon’s neck, ignoring the pain caused by the demon’s fire. He summoned his own, letting it burn along his skin in a protective shield .

The demon beneath Dante clawed at him with long nails and released a bolt of lightning.

Dante’s fire tempered the lightning strike. He jolted, freezing up, but his heart didn’t stop. He dropped his invisibility illusion to save energy. “Who are you?”

The demon growled, shocking Dante again. “Fuck you.”

Dante’s teeth clenched. The lightning cut through his shield that time, leaving him momentarily exposed. He squeezed the demon tighter. “You’re caught, so you might as well talk. Who are you?”

“Take your hands off him, or I’ll stun you, and he’ll rip your heart out,” a voice called.

Dante whipped his head to the side, finding a white-winged demon hovering nearby. She bared long fangs, lightning crackling at her fingertips.