Daphne moves around Alek, quickly taking the card from the driver, who immediately pops out of sight the second she does.
“Demons,” she says in an almost lovable way. A way that makes me think she’s far more familiar with them than we’re even aware.
Alek and Lyric seem to be thinking the same thing, from the way they’re looking at her.
“What?” Daphne asks. “I read.” She shrugs and takes the card back to our table, leaving the rest of us to continue the party. None of us move to sit with her, wanting to give her privacy.
“Little over the top for a birthday present,” Saint says as he slides his arm around me where I still stand near the lavish car.
“Maybe it suits her.”
Saint looks on to where Daphne is reading the card. “Maybe,” he says. “I suppose I don’t know much about the human. But any gift from the demon king screams a poorly balanced bargain to me.”
“Hasn’t he always been helpful?” I argue. “The stories I’ve heard, he’s come to assist in several instances. Including the mission that saved Daphne’s life?”
“He helps when it suits him.”
“I’ve seen worse.” The comment rolls off my tongue before I can stop it, and I cringe.
Saint flinches like I’ve physically hit him.
I lock my memories, stopping the train of thought before it can make it back to him. I’ve gotten better at controlling what thoughts blend into Saint’s mind, but sometimes I slip.
“I’m sorry,” I admit.
“Don’t ever be sorry for telling the truth, Aurora,” Saint says, eyes going distant for a moment. I study him, loving the darkness in his eyes just as much as I adore the thin red ring around them. “Enjoying the party?” he asks after he’s come back to himself.
“It’s nice beingsort ofout.”
“I shouldn’t have been so possessive,” he says. “When you asked to go feed with me.” His eyes are apologetic. “We can venture out,” he continues. “Can we take Ajax with us though? As a precaution? He can stop time should any attack happen.”
I smile up at him, my heart absolutely melting. “Saint, your possessiveness is one of the things I love about you.” I laugh, not entirely sure what that means about me, but also not really caring. I sigh. “But I understand your reasoning for not wanting us to venture past the wards. Honestly, I do. It’s smarter to not risk it.”
I rest my head on his chest, knowing it’s true. True for all of us.
We’re all being held captive by Samuel. We’re all moving in the way we arebecauseof him, and I’m tired of it.
Tired of waiting to die.
Tired of waiting to live.
It’s time to take action, and I’m starting to understand exactly how to do it.
CHAPTER 15
Saint
“What is the most favorite place you’ve visited?” Aurora asks me, her head resting on my chest as we lay in my bed.
I’d been on a hunt earlier, chasing down a lead with Dagon and the rest of the hunters. Unfortunately, we found no trace of Samuel or the Sons in the witch territory. The sting of disappointment was lessoned when I came back to the residence, to mymate.
Still can’t believe she’s mine. Even as I hold her, feed her, fuck her. It seems too good to be true.
“Our orders took us all over the world,” I finally answer, running my fingers through her long red hair. “I’ve seen places that no longer exist and ones that have withstood the test of time.” I shift to look down at her, my heart in my throat. “But Edgemont is my favorite.”
Aurora crinkles her nose. “Edgemont? Seriously. Out of all the places you’ve seen?”
I grin, shifting so I roll atop her, situating her beneath me. “This is the place that led me to you.” Her pink lips part, her eyes glittering as she smiles up at me. I drag my lips over her jaw,then down her neck and back up again. “Nothing will ever top finding you.”
