Page 27 of Indecent

“Don’t worry, they can’t come in,” Chaol said, gripping Daniel’s shoulders from behind. “This place is warded. Only I can open the door.”

Daniel looked around again, like he was seeing the place in a new light. “Is this your place?”

“It is. I didn’t actually intend for us to stop here, but needs must.”

Daniel shot him a sly smile. “Didn’t want to let me see where you live?”

Chaol chuckled. “No, it’s not that. I just meant for us to make it out of the city before nightfall.”

Daniel winced. “Yeah, we didn’t account for the homicidal… angel.” His eyes went a little distant, like he was still having trouble wrapping his brain around it. Chaol was, too, honestly. Daniel met his eyes again, stepping closer. “Well, I’m glad I got a chance to see your home.”

Before he could stop himself, Chaol scoffed. “This isn’t my home.”

Daniel tilted his head, brow furrowing. “What do you mean?”

Chaol bit his lip, looking away. He hadn’t meant to open those old wounds. “I—nothing. It’s nothing.”

He tried to turn away, but Daniel caught him by the waist, reeling him back in. Chaol was helpless to resist, letting himself be manhandled.

“Come on. You can tell me.”

Chaol’s throat was dry. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Daniel, staring into the hellfire as he said, “Kalmachs have clans. We live and hunt together.”

Daniel was quiet for a moment. “What happened to yours?”

Desperately, Chaol said, “We don’t have to talk about this. You should rest.”

“Chaol,” Daniel said softly. Had anyone ever said his name with such tenderness?

“Danny,” he pleaded. “Let it go.”

“No. Tell me.” His hands slid around Chaol’s sides to his back, bringing their bodies flush.

He was helpless. Helpless. Soft-spoken words and Daniel’s possessive grip around his waist couldn’t really be enough to break him… could it?

Heaving a sigh, he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to Daniel’s. “Years ago, long before you were born, our clan decided they wanted to venture to the surface together. For a little while, it was great. But soon after we arrived on Earth, we started getting picked off one by one. At first we thought we could fight back, but any time we tried to launch an attack, we lost more. Soon, the clan was divided. We could stay and keep fighting, or go back to Hell where we would be safe. The majority voted to stay, so the rest of us stayed, too, because that’s what a clan does. They stick together. But… we made the wrong choice. I’m the only one that’s left now.”

He didn’t mention Amon. He couldn’t bring himself to drive that wedge between them now that they were finally getting close.

Daniel looked stricken. “What happened? Who was attacking your clan?”

Chaol gave him a flat, morose look until understanding and dread dawned on Daniel’s face.

“Paladins,” Daniel breathed. “It was paladins, wasn’t it?”

Chaol nodded.

“And you still agreed to help me through Hell?” Daniel asked.

“I told you, darkling, it was long before your time.”

“That doesn’t matter! I was a part of the institution that killed your family. Why didn’t you want to kill me on sight?” Daniel tried to pull away, and Chaol caught his arms, guiding them back around his waist where he wanted them.

Chaol smiled ruefully. “You mean besides the fact that you were already dead?”

Daniel angled a flat, unamused look at him. “Yes, besides that.”

“Because you weren’t going into the light,” Chaol said. “You were fighting it. You lit up the moment I mentioned there being another way back to the surface, and you didn’t care what it was. I’ve never met someone as crazy and brave and amazing as you.”