Page 58 of Indecent

An animal growl tore from Daniel’s throat, but Draego rolled his eyes.

“If you want to intimidate me, you’ll have to do better than that. Now, you know how to draw your blade, and since you were a paladin, I know you can use it. So let’s start with your hellfire.”

That was easy. Daniel was already pissed off about the punch, worried that Chaol would pull away from him, anxious that his friends would one day hate what he’d done to himself. It was all too easy to tap into those negative emotions. The kernel of warmth in his chest ignited, and his body was engulfed in flame.

Draego calmly shook his head. “That’s not what I meant, but fine. Can you will it away as easily as you started it?”

Will it away? Why would he ever need to will it away? The flame was his. It belonged to him, and he to it. This was his most natural state of being. The flames licked up into the air, five feet, ten feet above him. It was an inferno, raging around him, feeding off the negative energy inside him. He could burn it all down if he wanted to. He could feel the power at his fingertips. All he needed to do was push, and the flames would climb even higher, filling the world with ash.

Draego gestured at something with one hand, but Daniel didn’t turn. He closed his eyes, his mind drifting away in the heat and the power. He would never let it go, never make it stop. It felt too good, too right.

Arms encircled him, and Chaol’s familiar mouth pressed against his neck. “Make it stop, darkling. For me.”

For Chaol. He would do anything for Chaol. Kill for him. Die for him. Even snuff out the fire for him. He turned his head, nuzzling Chaol’s jaw.

Make it stop. Easier said than done. His emotions were volatile and untrustworthy. It wasn’t as simple as closing a lid over them. He inhaled, drinking in Chaol’s sweet scent. It reminded him of blackberries, sweet and a little tart. Calm swept over him, and he met Chaol’s dark eyes as it doused the hot kernel in his chest. The flames disappeared, leaving them in the watery, artificial glow of the street lights nearby.

Draego hummed. “I suggest you keep this one nearby until you’ve mastered the hellfire. He centers you.”

Chaol licked his lips, his gaze deep. “I’m not going anywhere.”

It was like he could read all of Daniel’s deepest, darkest fears. Daniel sagged in his arms. More than anything, he didn’t want Chaol to regret choosing him.

He was reluctant to let him go when Draego gestured for Chaol to step away.

“Stay close,” Draego instructed as Chaol backed away, dark eyes never leaving Daniel. “Just in case he needs you again.”

“Of course,” Chaol promised.

It was a struggle for Daniel to look away from him. “You have a human, don’t you?” he asked Draego as they reset across from each other.

Draego’s gaze darkened.

“I heard you tell Talon that they aren’t here at the Rink. How can you stand to be away from them?”

“I am very old,” Draego said. “I am nothing if not patient.”

“Do they know you?”

Draego flicked a hand through the air. “We aren’t discussing this.”

“Why not?”

“Because I said so.”

Daniel scowled. The kernel in his chest flared at his irritation. “If they’re still at the guild, they’re one of Sloan’s people.”

“Stop.”

“They won’t want you. They all hate demons.”

“Daniel,” Draego warned.

“Is that it?” The kernel burned hotter. “They hate you. You can’t get close to them because they’d want to kill you if you did. They hate demons and anyone who associates with them.”

“Then what do you imagine they would do if they saw you?” Draego countered. His voice was deceptively smooth. “One of their own who went to Hell and willingly damned his own soul. How easily you decided to throw away everything they’d taught you, and why? Because you were too afraid to go into the light? To be alone?”

Afraid. Defensive words clogged in his throat, because yes, he’d been afraid. Afraid to leave his brother behind. Afraid of what awaited him on the other side. Afraid of taking that step by himself. He’d latched onto the first sign of hope and refused to let go.