Page 73 of Hunted By Fear

“You won’t find any books here in that language. Maybe Talian has a few, but that’s the language of angels.”

Angels have their own language?

“Angels have been around far before modern language and writing. This is what we used, and most still use,” he explains with a shrug. “Change is hard, I guess.” He rolls his eyes dramatically, making me chuckle before moving closer to me.

“It’s just Kai’s notes on all the research he’s been doing. It’s pretty boring…” He walks past me, and I turn to watch him as he goes, feeling like he has more to say. “Except that list is about you, that’s pretty entertaining.”

I don’t know what I expected him to say, but it sure as hell wasn’t that.

“List?” My voice comes out as a pathetic little squeak, so I try again. “What kind of list?”

He doesn’t answer, instead looking back at me with a wink before he disappears.

I groan in annoyance because he could be literally anywhere. I hate that they can do that—just pop in and out whenever.

“Asshole,” I grumble under my breath, annoyed, and almost jump out of my skin when Bast comes up behind me.

“Who?”

“Damn it, can you guys like cough or, I don’t know, something? Not all of us have crazy demon hearing.”

A smile pulls at his lips, and I know he’s not laughing at me, but it feels like he is. I pout, and that only makes his smile wider as he makes a show of stomping the last five steps it takes him to be in front of me.

“Better?” he asks, cocking a brow and looking adorable while also being so ridiculous.

“Yes, I expect you to walk like that everywhere from now on.” I turn and walk away to try and hide the smile pulling at my lips. It works for all of two seconds before he’s there, scooping me up into his arms bridal style. He races us up the stairs, barking a laugh that echoes off the high ceilings. I smack his chest with my hand that isn’t clutching the books to my chest, but even though I fear my stomach might have stayed back in the library, I can’t bring myself to care. Not when he’s looking at me like that, when he’s smiling because of me, and holding me close.

One thing I didn’t know is that demons and angels arefast,like so fast I can hardly see them when they run. Just a blur of movement here one second and gone the next. Ruin and Bast have both run with me in their arms now, and I’m really not a fan. Not only does it threaten to make me nearly revisit my last meal, but it also means they put me down much faster.

Now is a perfect example of that as Bast makes his way back into my room and onto my bed, setting me gently against the headboard. Thankfully, he doesn't go far, but still, being in his arms was much better.

I turn away, setting my books on the side table and grabbing a little chocolate bar to stay busy. Bast is great at reading me. I don’t need him to see my disappointment and ask questions.

No way do I want to explain that.

I pop the chocolate in my mouth and look up to find Ruin watching me from across the room. He sits in the chair next tomy fireplace, watching me with a knowing look, but thankfully keeps his mouth closed.

My heart rate picks up under his watchful eye, and suddenly the room is too quiet.

I’m giddy; that’s the only way to describe this feeling.

I haven’t felt like this in… fuck, it’s been so long.

Ruin had started it, and then Bast, then Oliver, who, of course, I now know was Talian, and even Asta.

I fan myself because is it hot in here, or is it just me?

And then there’s Kai, who hates me, and that’s fine, especially ifthat’swhat hate sex is.

I’d never understood the hype. I hated Rome, but when he touched me, I wanted to die; a piece of me felt like it did, so why did everyone make it sound like a good thing?

I get it now. I don’t hate Kai. I mean, he drives me fucking nuts, but his touch doesn’t make my skin crawl, doesn’t make me feel like I need to take a knife to myself and cut the infected areas away.

No, Kai, despite his asshole nature, makes me feel safe in a way Rome couldnever.

And Lucifer… Well, he was unexpected.

“So what exactly is a mate? What does that mean?” I ask, breaking the silence in the room and making both Ruin and Bast’s eyes go wide, though neither turns to look at me.