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“You don’t have to give me pitying looks,” she told Knox and Levi . . . because that was exactly what they were doing. “I’m not upset.”
“And your demon?” asked Knox.
Larkin licked her lips. “It’s thinking up yet more ways to make him cry.”
“Can’t say I blame it.” Knox licked over the edges of his upper teeth. “What I said to him sank in. He really did hear me when I said that you don’t—and never will—want anything to do with him.”
“So you think he’ll cut his losses?”
“I do. He’s tenacious, but he’s not delusional. He won’t waste his time or energy on something that will amount to nothing. And he’d be a fool to stay away from his lair too long when there are other Primes coveting it.” Knox put a hand on her shoulder. “It may be that this is over; that he finally leaves you in peace.” A dangerous glitter entered his eyes. “And if he doesn’t . . . well, we’ll together make him wish that he did, won’t we?”
Oh yes, they damn well would.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
How’s the mysterious clan thing going?
Teague didn’t outwardly react as Larkin’s voice slinked into his mind later that evening. He remained sprawled in the deck chair with his eyes closed and his arms folded, feigning sleep. Not as eventful as I’d hoped, he replied.
For over three hours, he and Leo—who was lounging in the chair beside his, also pretending to be out for the count—had waited impatiently for some shadowkin to attack. The rest of their clan were taking cover in the nearby shadows, ready to act at a moment’s notice. As ordered, the dogs lay near the pit, but they were tense, likely sensing that some shit might go down if Tucker’s ‘feeling’ could be trusted. Which it usually could.
What, there aren’t enough strippers?
Teague let out a telepathic snort. I told you earlier, it isn’t a party.
When he told her that he wouldn’t be able to see her tonight as he had ‘a clan thing to attend’, she hadn’t been annoyed or upset. Larkin never made attempts to monopolize his time. But when she’d asked a few general questions about ‘the clan thing’ and he hadn’t expanded, she’d gotten somewhat suspicious.
His harpy had prodded and poked at him a little more, fishing for details. He’d continued to gently bat away most of her enquiries and painted a very vague picture. That she hadn’t at all appreciated. Something she’d expressed by fisting his tee, hauling him close, and biting his jaw hard. She’d then told him that he wouldn’t find it so easy to hold her at bay, which his demon had liked a whole lot.
Teague should have panicked at the thought of her pushing for more room in his life. Instead, he’d felt a smile build inside him. Because if things were different, yeah, that was exactly where he’d want her. Unfortunately, it would never happen, though.
You said there’d be beer, games, and laughs, Larkin added. Sounds like a party to me.
Do you really think hellhorses would throw low-key parties?
No. Hence my strippers question.
Teague wrestled back a smile. Her comment had been lighthearted, but there was a possessive bite to her voice. He didn’t normally like women feeling territorial toward him, but he had no issue with it when it came to Larkin. It meant that the scales were balanced, because he was equally possessive of her.
There are no other women here, he swore. I’m not having even half as much fun as you seem to be thinking. Truthfully, I’d rather be at your place with you.
I’m not home right now, so you’d be hanging there by yourself.
Teague caught himself before a frown could tug at his brow. Where are you?
Not far from your territory, actually. One of the demons from my lair caused something of a stir at the little hellbull village. Tanner and I are handling it.
I take it there’s a lot of sniffing and posturing going on with Tanner and the bulls.
You hellbeasts are always swinging your dicks around. It’s tiring.
Teague again stifled a smile. What can I say? We—
A twig snapped. The dogs stirred. He went rigid.
Anticipation began to beat inside Teague, kicking his pulse into gear. He subtly drew in a long breath, and there it was—the distinctive scent of smoke and brimstone. His inner beast edged close to the surface, knowing the plan, eager to track and kill its prey.
There was a faint rustle of leaves, and then a whistle of alarm rang out.
Teague opened his eyes as he jumped to his feet. Four shadowkin stood several feet away. One had whirled to face Gideon, who was closing the gap in the shield with black salt. The other three humanoids were braced to lunge, their pure-white gazes sweeping over the men now surrounding them.
The dogs danced from foot to foot near the pit, awaiting the go-ahead to move and attack. Likewise, the ravens in the trees restlessly flapped their wings as they waited for an order to act.
