Page 54 of Galen

“I’m sorry you had to clean up the blood,” he said, tearing his eyes away from the spot and continuing down the hall, flipping on the lights as he went. “You must think I’m an idiot for coming back here.”

“No.” I followed him into the main part of his shop and watched as he opened the blinds, letting in the sun. “I think you’re brave.”

He scoffed. “Me? Brave? Tell that to all the screaming I did that night.”

“Anyone would’ve screamed while being attacked by something they couldn’t see.” I stepped closer to him, aching to pull him into my arms. I kept them at my sides though. Better to keep space between us.

That morning when I kissed that mark on his neck, something inside me shifted. Came alive. Almost as though my soul was desperately reaching out for him. That possessive feeling had roared to life again, and I’d nearly ripped his clothes off and fucked him right there in the hall. Whatever connection I had toward Simon was only growing stronger.

And when I thought I might lose him earlier? When Alastair said he’d erase his memory if he chose to leave? I’d had to get out of the room as fast as possible, otherwise I would’ve lashed out at Alastair.

“I think I saw the shades when they attacked me. A little bit anyway.” Simon grabbed a duster and flicked it over a shelf with glass figurines. “They blended in with the darkness, but they looked like swirling black smoke. Smelled like smoke too.”

“That’s what they’re made of.” I watched him move to another shelf. “They have a thin layer of charred flesh beneath the smoke that constantly burns.”

“So that explains the putrid burning smell.” Simon crinkled his nose. “I know how much youlovemy questions. But can I ask one?”

“Sure.” I walked over and snatched the duster from him before running it over the clocks above his head.

“Thanks.” He smiled at me. “I guess there’s a benefit to having a tall guy around.”

“The only benefit?”

Simon blushed and averted his eyes. “Anyway. About the marking thing. I know you said it’s you staking a claim over me or whatever, but why?”

“One usually does it when they find their mate. It’s to let other males—and females—know that you’re taken. My scent is all over you. Any being who lays a hand on you knows they do so with the threat of my wrath.” I was shocked to see him smiling. “This pleases you?”

“What?” His smile fell, and he cleared his throat. “No. Not at all.”

“And you calledmea horrible liar.”

“Shut up,” Simon said, his blush deepening.

“That’s not a very nice thing to say.”

His hazel eyes flashed to me. Although he visibly tried to fight it, the edge of his mouth curved up. “Whatever.” He walked over to the front counter and started wiping it down. “Does this mean I’m your mate now?”

Not if I can help it.

“No. It only means I’ve claimed you as mine. The ritual for mating involves much more.”

“There’s a ritual for it?” Simon’s glasses slipped a bit as he glanced down, and he used his index finger to push them back up. “How does it work?”

My blood heated at the thought of pushing inside Simon, my teeth at his throat, his fingertips digging into my skin as lust consumed us both. Soft words spoken, vows whispered in the heat of passion. And then…

No. Don’t even consider it.

“Enough questions.”

“Fine.” He sighed and moved his gaze to the hallway. The sudden fear in his eyes caused my sternum to ache. Seeing the bottom of the stairs where he’d been attacked was hard on him. “I should probably grab a few things from my loft while I’m here.”

I weaved our fingers together. “I’ll go with you.”

He gently squeezed my hand and offered me a tight smile. We went down the hall and to the stairs. He took deep breaths as he walked up the steps, and his grip tightened on my hand. Blood had trailed all down those stairs the night I’d found him.

I seethed with anger. At myself, mostly. I should’ve been there to protect him.

But I’m here now.No one would hurt him again. Not while I still breathed.