Page 3 of Devilishly Hers (Monster Mountain Romance #1)

Chapter Three

D ante

"She's analyzing her blood work again." Volt's thunderous voice carries amusement as he lands beside me on the mountain ledge overlooking the Colorado valley. "Third time today."

Electricity dances between his golden feathers as I watch my friend settle his massive form. The Thunderbird makes our outcropping look small, his wingspan easily twice mine. "Let me guess—she's documenting the metabolization rates of every compound Apex pumped into her system."

Something warm and unwelcome stirs in my chest. Three days since the rescue, and Blair's turned her recovery room into a one-woman research station. "How's Riven holding up with his new human? Still doing that glowy-wing thing whenever she touches him?"

"Their connection is… quite pronounced," Volt observes. "Not unlike certain temperature fluctuations I've been noticing around here."

My skin darkens. " I don't know what you're implying."

"Don't you?" He cocks his head, spearing me with a knowing loo k. " I've seen how the crystals respond when you two are in the same room. How you always seem to know exactly when she's approaching, even before she makes a sound."

"Coincidence," I mutter, though something deep within me stirs at his words—an ancient recognition I'm not ready to acknowledge.

"If you say so." His knowing rumble makes my tail lash with agitation. "Though she seems equally… attuned to you. I noticed her documenting it in that spreadsheet of hers. Column labeled 'inexplicable awareness.' Quite the scientific approach to something so primal."

Heat creeps up my neck. “Don’t start with that mate bond nonsense again. Just because the Mothman found his perfect match doesn’t mean the rest of us are susceptible.”

“Sure,” Volt drawls. “Which is why you haven’t left the mountain since she arrived. Your excuse has been that ‘Blair might need something.’“

My clawed hand instinctively touches her hair tie in my pocket. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“To answer your other question, the doctor’s comparing her lab results to baseline human norms while theorizing about cryptid metabolic variations.” Electricity arcs through his plumage. “She asked if I’d consider providing samples for her research.” He chuckles, wings fluttering with amusement.

“She seems dedicated,” is all I say, hoping to change the subject that’s gotten a bit too focused on me.

“Speaki ng of research…” Volt’s massive form settles beside me, careful not to dislodge any rocks. “Your wing’s not healing properly.”

My skin darkens as I pull the injured appendage closer. “It’s fine.” The memory of that night flashes unbidden—desperate wings beating against rain, another Jersey Devil’s terrified eyes locked on mine as hunters closed in.

“Really?” Volt’s static electricity makes my horns tingle. “Because according to our resident biochemist, that kind of injury should show significant improvement by now. Unless there’s something you’re not telling us.”

Before I can deflect, Blair’s voice drifts to us from inside the cavern.

“The crystal formations’ resonance patterns suggest some form of energy conductivity, but without proper equipment to measure the frequencies…” Her voice carries that blend of frustration and fascination that’s become her default state.

“Perhaps if we adjusted the sensitivity settings?” That’s Marina, who’s appointed herself both nurse and research assistant. “We Water Sprites can detect subtle vibrations that most instruments miss.”

Peering inside, I watch Blair scribble rapid notes while Marina demonstrates something with her fins. The lavender in Blair’s hair catches the crystal light, and her expression…

“You’re staring.” Volt’s knowing rumble makes my skin flush red.

“I’m monitoring a valuable asset.” The words come out more defensive than intended. “She has critical intelligence about Apex’s operations.”

“Uh-huh.” His wings cre ate shadows that dance across the ledge. “That’s why you’ve barely left the mountain since we brought her here. Because you’re… gathering intel.”

“Someone needs to make sure she doesn’t push herself too hard. Her understanding of our security protocols seems surprisingly thorough.”

Yesterday she worked straight through dinner, analyzing data from her smuggled drive.

I literally had to confiscate her tablet and stand guard while she ate the food I brought her.

And just this morning, she tried to convince Cliff to let her study his Sasquatch healing abilities, despite barely having the strength to stand.

“Doesn’t push herself too hard, huh? That’s a convenient excuse.” Volt’s expression can only be described as smug. “Almost as convenient as your wing injury keeping you grounded here. With her.”

My fang-filled growl holds warning, but he just laughs.

“Fine, keep your secrets.” Rising, his wings spread wide. “But she’s sharper than most. You really think she won’t figure out something’s wrong?”

Before I can respond, he launches into the air, wings catching a current. This leaves me with uncomfortable thoughts and the sound of Blair’s voice drifting up from below.

“The energy transfer rates are fascinating, but there seem to be biological components we’re missing…” Blair’s bent over her notes, hair falling forward to frame her face. “If we could just isolate the variables…”

“Perhaps a break first?” Marina suggests gently. “You’ve been at this for hours.”

“Just a few more calculat ions.” But her valiant attempt at nonchalance can’t hide her exhaustion.

Time to intervene before she works herself into collapse. As I approach, Marina’s scales shimmer with knowing amusement. “I’ll leave you to it,” the Water Sprite says, sliding gracefully into her pool near our internal waterfall.

“Your timing is suspect.” Blair doesn’t look up from her work. “Did you plan that interruption, or do you just have supernatural timing when it comes to ruining scientific breakthroughs?”

“Just encouraging basic self-care, Doc.” Leaning against a crystal formation, I study her pale features. “When’s the last time you ate?”

“I had…” Her brow furrows. “There was coffee earlier…”

“Coffee isn’t food.” But her confused expression holds such genuine bafflement that something in my chest clenches. “Come on. Cliff’s been stress-baking again, and the smells drifting from the kitchen are making my mouth water.”

“I’m in the middle of important calculations regarding crystal resonance patterns and their potential applications for—”

“Which will still be there after you eat.” When she protests, I add, “Unless you’d prefer I carry you to dinner like that first night?”

Her cheeks flush at the memory, but she sets down her pen with exaggerated care. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Shame.” The word slips out before I can catch it. When her eyes snap to mine, I add quickly, “The walk will do you good. Doctor’s orders.”

“You’re not a doctor. ”

“No, but I play one on TV.”

Her startled laugh makes my wings flutter. It’s becoming addictive, finding ways to crack that analytical shell and draw out her humor.

“Fine.” Rising makes her sway slightly. My hand catches her elbow, skin darkening at the contact. “But I want to discuss the possibility of studying your healing rates. The delayed recovery of your wing suggests—”

“Dinner first.” Steering her toward the dining cavern. “Science later.”

She huffs but allows me to guide her, rattling off theories about cryptid metabolism that I only half follow. The important part is getting food into her before she passes out face-first into her research.

As we walk, her shoulders relax slightly under my touch, steps syncing with mine despite our physical differences.

Somewhere between rescuer and research subject, I’ve become something else in her carefully catalogued world. And judging by the way she looks at me when she thinks I’m not looking, she’s noticed, too.