Devil's Mark (The Reckless Damned, #1)

by Lark Taylor

It was something none of us had done in all the centuries we had been topside. Something I had never intended to do. Nothing else had ever felt so right. There was not a single thing that could stop me at this moment. Calling on my ancient well of power, I leaned forward and placed my lips on Oscar’s forehead. Marking him as mine.

Beneath all the pomp and circumstance, angels were just demons who lived more boring lives.

A single tear slipped down his cheek. “But that’s what makes me weak. I let him. I let him tear me down. I let him beat me. I let him nearly kill me. What does that tell you about me, huh?” Fury threatened to consume me at Oscar’s confession, my demon demanding retribution. I took a second to smother my impulses. My anger wasn’t what was important right now—Oscar was. My hand slipped up to cup the back of his neck. “It tells me you were abused. That someone took advantage of you. That’s not your fault, Oscar. You were not at fault. What happened was his fault and his alone. You deserve the world. I’ve seen the souls of millions of humans, but none have ever touched me like yours.”

“Holiday Inn?” Harlow lowered his sunglasses so he could glare at me. “Darling, I have standards.” “I think you meant to say I have money.” “Potato, potahto.” With that, he’d strutted off to the reception desk, leaving me trailing behind him, mouth agape at the luxurious ambience.

He pushed a kiss to my forehead, giving me an indulgent smile. “I like this side of you.” “I like this side of me too. I’ve missed it if I’m being honest. It makes me so happy to know I can tease and make jokes with you, and it’s not going to lead to any pain.” Cal stopped and spun me to face him. “I would never hurt you. You could carve out my own heart and crush it beneath your boot, and I would still thank you for your time and attention.”

“For so many reasons. I love how inquisitive he is. He has hundreds of questions about every topic. I love how he seems shy at first, but once he’s comfortable in a situation, he comes out of his shell. I love how when he reads, he glares at me if I interrupt him. I love how he interacts with my brothers and keeps us all on our toes. I love how he wants to be constantly touching me. I love how he curls up on my lap after dinner and lets me carry him around the house. Most of all, I love how he’s brought a light to my life that I didn’t know I was missing.”