Page 26

26

HARPER

Ash pulled out 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.”

“I am.” Ash measured flour into a stand mixer. “But until recently, I was off in the Rocky Mountains, near the Canadian border.”

Dante leaned in and whispered to Harper. “He lives in a hut.”

“It’s a hunting lodge, which you very well know,” Ash muttered.

“I grew up in the Rocky Mountains, only in Colorado.” Harper looked between the demons. “Do you think that’s a coincidence?”

Ash paused as he spooned dried yeast into a small bowl of water. “Probably not. Before, I’d have said there was no particular reason I settled where I did. I chose the mountains because they appealed to me. But maybe I was being drawn to you and didn’t realize.”

“So you weren’t just avoiding us over the last few decades?” Dante teased.

Ash scowled. “I was multitasking.”

Dante snorted.

Harper eyed Ash, trying to imagine him alone in the mountains. What would it be like to live together in an isolated hunting lodge? Even if it wasn’t near where Harper had grown up, the idea chased away all his warm feelings. “Do you want to go back to your lodge?”

“No, not really.” Ash opened a container of mushrooms. “Being by myself isn’t as appealing as it once was. Now that I’m back, I’ve realized I missed being around others.” He cut Dante a sheepish glance .

“Wow.” Dante leaned back in his seat. “Never thought I’d hear you admit that. I like Harper’s effect on you already.”

Harper grinned, warmth flooding him again. “I’d like to stay in Shearwater Landing. I get along with my roommate pretty well and want to have friends and build a real life like I couldn’t have before.”

“Then we’ll stay.” Ash sounded happy with the decision. “I’ll make sure your coven doesn’t bother you, and once we deal with Luc, we can do anything you like.”

Harper drew a deep breath like it was his first taste of fresh air.

With Ash’s help, he could escape his coven permanently. True freedom was possible, and for the first time, Harper wasn’t scared of what the future had in store.

“You aren’t worried about Luc?” he asked. It was weird referring to Lucifer so informally.

“Yes and no.” Ash abandoned the mushrooms and began mixing what looked like dough in the stand mixer. “He’s a serious threat, but we know how to handle him.”

“He isn’t acting as we’d expected now that he’s in the Human Realm, which is worrying, but we have an advantage in the city,” Dante explained.

Ash rested his hand on Harper’s. “I’ve already protected your apartment building, and I can give you personal protection until we cement the mating bond.”

Harper’s heart skipped at the mention of mating. “Why do I only need protection until we bond?”

“When we mate, you’ll be granted all my immortal abilities, like rapid healing and complete disease immunity. You’ll be almost as hard to kill as a demon. The bond also gives us an extra connection, so I’ll always be able to find you. Before then, I’d like to cast some spells on you to help me track you quickly if anything happens. ”

“You mean you won’t be with me twenty-four-seven,” Harper joked.

“No.” Ash’s cheeks reddened. “But I’ll watch over you if that makes you feel safe.”

Harper squirmed. It would make him feel safe, but he kept it to himself. There was no need to get mushy in front of Dante.

Watching Ash cook was a treat. At first, it seemed odd for a demon with huge wings and horns to be in the kitchen, but the longer Harper watched, the more it seemed Ash was genuinely enjoying himself. He looked at home and happy, and it made Harper all gooey inside.

“What are you making?” he asked.

“Mushroom pizza.” Ash set a ball of dough aside. “You said the other day that it was your favorite.”

Butterflies filled Harper. He might actually float away.

After pizza, Ash flew Harper home.

Ash opened the service door for Harper, pausing outside. “I’ll track down the members of your coven who’re in the city and let you know what they’re doing. Then, we can decide how to approach them.”

Harper nodded. He’d given Ash a description of the witches that had been following him—the ones he’d seen anyway—as well as his father and his advisers and told Ash where he used to live.

Ash said being familiar with Harper’s magic would help him track his coven due to the blood loyalty binding its members. All the Nightingales’ magic would feel similar to Harper’s, at least enough to get Ash started on his tracking. Apparently, Ash had been getting a sense of Harper’s magic ever since he’d unmasked Harper’s suppression .

Ash leaned in and kissed Harper’s forehead. “Text me if you need anything.”

“I will,” Harper promised, but with Ash’s tracking spell cast over him, there wasn’t much to worry about. “I can’t wait to have everything with my coven behind me.”

“Me too.” Ash squeezed Harper’s shoulder and flew off.

Harper headed down the stairs to his apartment.

Too bad he couldn’t tell Ollie about Ash. The whole situation was like a dream, especially now that Ash was out of sight. But Harper wasn’t sure about telling Ollie magic was real, at least not yet. If they became close, like true best friends, then Harper would tell him.

“Hey,” Ollie called from the couch when Harper got inside. “What’s that smile for?”

Harper tried to get his grin under control. “I was with Ash.”

Ollie waggled his eyebrows. “I’m glad that’s working out.”

“Me too.” Harper held back a laugh. Imagine explaining being a demon’s mate to Ollie… “How was your day?”

Ollie dropped his head back on the couch. “Good. Work was busy, and I’m tired. My neck is killing me. I’m going to order in if you want to split something?”

“I can cook dinner,” Harper offered.

Ollie gave him a sweet smile. “You’re the best. I’ll do tomorrow night. Promise.”

Harper wasn’t all that hungry but didn’t mind cooking if Ollie was exhausted from work. It was a good use of the extra energy buzzing around inside him.

They ate and watched a movie afterward. As they finished up, Ollie scowled at his phone.

“Is everything all right?”

“Yeah.” Ollie tossed his phone aside. “Just this guy I was talking to. He asked if I wanted to meet up tonight and was kind of a dick when I said I was busy. Like I owe him my time just because he messaged me a few times.”

“Sorry, that sucks.” Harper hated the guy instantly. “Have you met up with him before?”

“No.” Ollie grabbed a pillow and hugged it to himself, making a face. “I’ve blocked him. At least I didn’t sleep with him.”

“Yeah, someone like that doesn’t deserve you.”

“I hate hookup apps.” Ollie shot a sideways look at Harper. “But at the same time, I don’t want to get zero action while taking a break from relationships, you know?”

“I don’t exactly know from personal experience, but I get what you mean.”

Ollie smiled, brow raising. “You’ve never used a hookup app?”

“No.” Harper cringed, cheeks heating.

Ollie shook his head good-naturedly, like he thought Harper was cute. “Are you happy your one-night stand turned into a thing?”

“Yeah.” Harper didn’t even hesitate. “I really like Ash. We should all hang out sometime so you can meet him properly.”

“Sure.” Ollie grinned, leaning closer to Harper. “So, is he your boyfriend?”

Harper nodded.

“You look so happy right now, it’s ridiculous.” Ollie swatted Harper with a pillow.

He covered his face. “Sorry. I had a really good afternoon.”

Ollie snorted. “I bet you did. And hey, if Ash has any hot friends, send them my way. But only if they’re down for just a hookup. I don’t need my one-night stands turning into more.”

Were the other demons any more casual than Ash? Surely not if they were looking for their mates. “I don’t know Ash’s friends very well. ”

“I don’t have to know them well, if you know what I mean.” Ollie gave Harper a sly look, then cracked up at Harper’s panicked expression. “Don’t worry. I’m just teasing. I’ll leave Ash’s friends out of it.”

Harper swatted Ollie with the pillow. Hopefully, he found what he was looking for.

Harper smiled as soon as he opened his eyes the next day.

Was it too soon to ask Ash for round two?

He grabbed his phone off the nightstand and found a message waiting.

Ash:

Morning, sweet. Hope you slept well. I wanted to let you know I haven’t sensed anyone with magic similar to yours in the Banks, and I’ve tracked almost all of your coven’s advisers. They’re out of state. I haven’t located your father yet, so I can’t say if he’s in the city or not, but that’s what Dante and I will be doing today.

Harper set down the phone, relief running through him. Not even wondering where his father was dampened his spirits.

Arthur probably had an anti-tracking spell cast on himself that Ash would have to get through before he could find him, but it was unlikely Arthur was using a suppressing potion. They’d find him eventually. If none of the other coven members were in the Banks, his father wouldn’t be either. He never went anywhere alone.

Harper was safe.

Maybe they’d have this whole thing wrapped up by next week, and Harper would be free of them. He picked up his phone and replied.

Harper:

Thank you! Knowing for sure no one’s in my neighborhood makes me feel so much better.

Ash:

Happy to hear it.

We’re keeping an eye on the apartment complex where you used to live and the few coven members lurking near the port and library while we track down your father. I’ll let you know if any of them head your way.

Harper:

Why would they think I’d return to the port after last time?

Ash:

They might be trying to figure out what happened to the missing witches rather than looking for you.

True. His coven didn’t know what had happened at the port. They didn’t even know Finch had found him. At least not for sure.

Ash:

Don’t worry. There’s no evidence of what I did to the witches who attacked you. They won’t discover anything, no matter how much they poke around.

Harper:

Thank you, Ash.

Having Ash on his side changed everything. Possibilities opened like flowers in the sun, and for once, Harper didn’t hesitate to seize them.

Harper:

I think I’ve decided what to do about Nico.

Ash:

Oh?

Harper:

If things with my coven are coming to an end, there’s no reason for me to hide from Nico. I want to see if he’ll offer me the in-house brewing job.

Ash:

That’s great. It’s the perfect opportunity for you. I think you’re making the right choice.

Harper:

Me too. Next time you’re free, we can go over and tell him.

Harper could go on his own, but with the end of his coven problems in sight, what was the harm in hiding for a few more days? The apartment building was protected, and Ash could track him. He was the safest he’d ever been in his life, but he wasn’t taking any unnecessary risks. Just in case.

Ash:

Sounds like a plan, flower. Have a good morning.

Harper smiled and pressed the phone to his chest.

Ideally, he’d walk over to Seaside Coffee and enjoy his good mood with a sweet treat. Once his coven was gone, he’d definitely do that, but for now, he’d compromise. Harper made a cup of coffee topped off with hazelnut creamer and took it to the roof.

A light wind tickled his skin as he stepped out of the stairwell. The late morning sun bathed the rooftop, city sounds drifting up from the street. It reminded him of flying with Ash. His heart fluttered and the sun warmed his face.

What a gorgeous morning.

Harper sipped his coffee and glanced around. He stopped short, the hair at the back of his neck prickling. He wasn’t the only one up here.

A man stood close to the roof’s edge, smoking and gazing into the distance. He must have sensed Harper’s stare because he turned, showing no surprise at finding someone there.

“Good morning. You’ve found my secret smoking spot.” He flashed a perfect smile.

It was the human from Seaside Coffee who Harper had run into on the sidewalk and seen around a few times. He must live in the building. No wonder they kept bumping into each other.

Relaxing now he knew who it was, Harper stepped farther onto the roof. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to disturb you.”

The man waved him off and smiled charmingly, putting Harper at ease. “You aren’t. I always enjoy the company of a handsome young man.”

Harper froze. “Oh, um, thanks, but I have a boyfriend.”

The man’s lips twitched, pulling down briefly. “Pity. I never seem to have any luck in the romance department.” He turned toward the street and buildings beyond, a breeze ruffling his jet-back hair. “I love the view up here. You can just see the ocean.”

“Really?” Harper stepped closer. He hadn’t noticed when he’d been up here with Ash.

The man pointed to the right. “Just off that way. See?”

Harper strained and just caught a hint of dark blue in the distance. “Oh wow, you’re right.”

The man chuckled, shifting closer. “I don’t know why people are always so surprised when I tell the truth. It’s not like I lie very often. ”

Harper glanced at him, awkwardness creeping up on him. The man was a little too close.

“I mean,” he went on, something changing in his smile. “I don’t always set out to deceive, but I still seem to have that reputation.”

“Um.” Harper took a step back.

The man grabbed Harper’s wrist, yanking him closer. “In this case, though, I’d be guilty as charged.” His nails dug painfully into Harper’s skin.

“Hey, let go.” Harper pulled his arm away, trying to shake him off and spilling his coffee, but the man’s grip tightened. Harper’s heart raced. What the fuck?

The man was strong. Too strong.

He swung Harper around and yanked him closer to the roof’s edge. Shit. Harper stumbled, and the man let go. Hands collided with Harper’s back, and he lurched forward, losing his balance.

The floor dropped out from beneath him, a scream tearing from his lips as he fell over the edge.