Page 68 of Demon's Mate

Ash took his hand and led him down the street. “You’re not afraid of heights, are you?”

“Nope, never have been.”

“Good.” Ash pulled him down an alley. “Here. Let me cast an illusion over us so no one will see.”

Magic tingled along Harper’s skin as Ash wove his magic. “Demons can be completely invisible?”

“Yes.” Ash seemed surprised Harper didn’t know. “We have a few unique tricks.”

Harper would kill for a detailed list but wasn’t going to ask. It wasn’t fair to expect Ash to answer a bunch of questions when he wouldn’t do the same. He couldn’t let Ash in, no matter how much he ached to.

Why would a powerful demon care about solving his problems?

Letting Ash help him today tempted Harper to open up. He wanted whatever was happening between them to be special. He wanted Ash to be his person—his demon—but didn’t see how that kind of devotion could be real this early on.

He’d get to know Ash. Then, if it all worked out, he’d open up. And hopefully, he’d figure out what to do about his life and job in the meantime.

Once the illusion was cast, Ash took off his shirt and tied it to his belt. His brown skin gleamed in the sun and his eyes flashed deep orange.

Ash released his wings and horns, and Harper’s heart thudded. Ash grinned at him and spread his wings, black feathers fading to a snowy white along the edges. The span had to be more than ten feet across.

“You’re so beautiful, Ash.”

Harper swore the demon puffed out his chest. “Thank you, flower.” He readjusted the waistband of his jeans to free his tail, unwrapping it from his hips.

Harper’s gaze traced the sleek appendage, his face heating. “It won’t be hard to carry me?” he asked so he didn’t sayanything embarrassing. He didn’t know if he’d ever be able to look at Ash’s tail without remembering how it filled him.

“Not at all. Carrying you will be easy.” Ash ruffled his feathers. “Come here.”

Harper obeyed, situating his shoulder bag between them.

Ash brushed a gentle kiss against his lips and pulled him close. “Wrap your arms around my neck, and I’ll lift you so you can wrap your legs around my hips.”

They got into the position, Ash lifting Harper effortlessly.

Harper held on tight. “You sure it won’t be hard to hold me while we fly?”

“Yes, I’m sure.” Ash secured one hand under Harper’s ass and the other around his lower back. “I won’t get tired, and there’s no way I’ll drop you.” Ash met Harper’s gaze. “You’ll be perfectly safe. I’d like to take you over the city to where I’m staying, at my brother’s house. Is that okay?”

“Yeah.” Butterflies made a racket in Harper’s chest. “Will your brother be there?”

Harper still needed to tell Ash about his failed hunt and his coven’s plans, but he’d worry about that later.

“He’s out at the moment. They both are, so we’ll have the place to ourselves, but they want to meet you.”

“They do?” Harper was surprised Ash had even mentioned him to his brothers. Why would the other Hounds of Hell want to meet him?

Maybe Ash really was serious about him. Ash had been serious enough to reveal himself. Was Harper being too suspicious? His worry over Nico seemed to have amounted to nothing.

Ash tightened his hold on Harper. “They’d love to meet you, but you don’t have to see them today. We can leave before they get back.”

Harper nodded. “Okay. Can we go flyingnow?”

Ash chuckled. “Sure thing, sweet. Hold on tight.” He squeezed Harper against him and launched into the air.

Harper gasped and clung on.

Ash’s leap cleared the surrounding buildings. He pumped his wings and soared higher, catching the wind, and flew up and over the river. A flock of birds parted, making way for them. Ash dove, dipping just above the water, then shot back into the sky.