It was a small knife, like the gun, hardly useful when the goal was true destruction. He took it from his hand and threw it at the opposite wall, where it stuck. Torin pulled out his own blade, one that was crafted and groomed for the kill. He held Massey's eyes as he plunged it into his heart, going so deep it stuck into the wall behind him. He then twisted it, making sure there would be no coming back for Massey this time.
Some of Hadden's men arrived as he was leaving, and no words were shared only a nod passed between them. His rights were clear, and his right to protect his beloved would eclipse all else. He moved between the shadow and the light, and in the next moment was standing outside the room where his beloved waited. He opened the door and stepped inside, and Shae was instantly on his feet, rushing toward him.
“Torin.” He cried and wrapped him in his arms. Torin picked him up and buried his face against Shae’s throat and just breathed. Having him in his arms was a true release; he let go of the disquiet and anxiety that had begun to take him over.
The threat was gone for now, at least, and he would take care of any other that dared raise its head. He would protect and defend till the end and beyond. This man was his center, and his focus. His vampire, and his demon claimed this human as their own.
"I'm so sorry I left when you told me to stay put. It sounded like Lauren. I thought I was helping her." Shae rambled on, and Torin listened and kept kissing him on his shoulder, his throat, his jaw, and then his lips, those lovely, plump lips.
After several minutes of a kiss that bonded, claimed, and devastated Torin drew back and looked down into the lust-filled eyes of the sweetest man who ever lived. "You're safe now, and that's all that matters."
“I love you, Torin.”
"I love you too, Shae."
He said words that had never left his lips before and felt the softness of their relationship and the tenderness of their words sink into his soul. Shae was one in a billion; he won the heart of a Shadow Demon, which was considered impossible. Fate had brought him the one person who could touch his heart, and Torin would hold him and love him for a lifetime and more if the Gods permit.
EPILOGUE
The Hadden Coven cleaned up and covered the devastation caused by the conflict. Massey's plans in the lowlands were put on hold for now. The threat remained, and it was clear that a long-term plan for the lowlands would have to be implemented.
Torin and Shae left soon after the Massey incident was finished. Torin was offered membership in the Hadden Coven to provide stability for his beloved, but he was a man who resisted community. He preferred his own company and that of his most beloved. Shae was more than ready to get out of town, so he eagerly agreed.
"You're all I need, Torin." He told him that when Torin offered to stay with the Coven, if it was something Shae preferred. "I'm new at this, so I'll follow your lead . . . anywhere." Shae said with honesty and exuberance.
“All I need his you, Shae.” He repeated his words with a loving smile that softened everything about him. "Now let me teach you how to handle a dagger and a handgun. I want you prepared and protected, and proper skills will give you both as will I."
"Cool." Shae said and leaned in wrapping his arm around Torin’s waist.
“Cool indeed.” He punctuated that with another heated kiss. His life had gotten so much sweeter and more meaningful with his beloved by his side just as legend had promised.
THE END
