Page 79 of Demon's Mate

“That’s not what you said before. When you were sure Harper was one of Luc’s tricks.” Ash turned from Onyx to Dante. “Luc hasn’t contacted the hunter. Harper’s coven is looking for us, but Harper was the only one searching.”

“What?” Onyx’s face bloomed with color.

“Relax.” Ash sounded exhausted with Onyx. “Let me explain.” He relayed how horrible Harper’s coven was while keeping most of Harper’s personal hurt out of it. “Harper escaped and was only trying to find us to warn us.”

“I was never going to share anything I learned about you with my coven,” Harper promised.

Onyx ground his teeth. “And we’re supposed to believe him just because he’s your mate?”

“Yes,” Ash said, tone firm. “He’s one of us. He’s meant to be on our side.”

“I thought you weren’t worried about witches, Onyx,” Dante cut in.

“And I thought you didn’t trust witches,” Onyx spat at Ash, jabbing at him with a pale finger.

Harper flinched. Ash wasn’t kidding when he said they didn’t get along, but Harper wondered if something deeper was happening here. Was there more to Onyx not accepting him than suspicion? He seemed different from the other demons, and only partly because he was hiding his demonic features.

“In general, no, I don’t trust witches, vampires, or humans,” Ash growled. “I don’t trust demons either, outside of the two of you.”

“Onyx, think about it.” Dante laid a hand on the small demon’s shoulder and was promptly shaken off. “Harper being the hunter makes sense. He was destined to find Ash. They’re mates. Of course his fate was to look for us.”

Onyx stared at Dante with an unreadable expression. “You’ve always been so sure about our mates. I don’t get it. Why would Ash find his after so long? Why him and not you? How can you accept this so easily?” Onyx ran a hand through his hair. “I’m done. I don’t need to stick around and watchAsh,of all people, get lovey-dovey.” He turned and stormed out of the room.

Ash let out a deep sigh. “Don’t worry, Harper. He’ll get over himself eventually. He always does. He just likes to throw his toys first.”

Dante stared after Onyx, concern lining his face. “I don’t think he likes beingcaught off guard.”

“Come.” Ash tugged Harper toward the adjoining kitchen. “Let me make you something to eat.”

Harper pushed away guilty feelings about upsetting Onyx. It would take time for Onyx to realize Harper wouldn’t betray them, and Harper got that. The demons had been hiding for hundreds of years.

Onyx was probably just scared of things changing, especially with Lucifer closer than ever, but hopefully, change would be good for all of them.

26

HARPER

Ash pulledout a stool at the kitchen island. “Would you like anything to drink?”

Harper settled on the seat. “Just some water, thanks.”

Ash brought him a glass and began pulling things out of the fridge.

Dante sat beside Harper, bracing his forearms on the counter. “I’m sorry meeting us wasn’t more pleasant.”

“That’s okay. I get it. It’s not like I trusted Ash at first.”

Dante grinned, studying Harper in a much friendlier way than Onyx had. “How long have you been in Shearwater Landing?”

Harper’s usual lie was on the tip of his tongue, but why lie to Dante? “About a year. How about you?”

Dante waved a dismissive hand. “I’ve been hanging around since the city was built.”

“Oh, right.” Harper should have seen that coming. His coven suspected the demons had been here a hundred years ago. Harper surveyed the room around them. There was no way Dante lived here back then. “Your home is beautiful.”

“Thank you.” Dante seemed pleased Harper liked it, feathers ruffling. “Has Ash told you about his place?”

“No?” Harper turned to Ash. “You said you were living here.”