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Kindle Notes & Highlights
“I am the shadow that lurks in the darkness. Take heed, human. I’ll be watching you. That child is now mine to protect.”
“Never hurt him again. Can your alcohol-soaked brain comprehend that? Speak cruelly to him and lose your tongue. Leave bruises on him and lose your hands. Look at him with ill intent and lose your eyes. I will take you apart piece by piece all while you are still alive and begging for mercy.”
“I am exactly what I told your father—the shadow that lurks in the darkness. I will be watching you, Austin. You’re mine.”
Kage placed the wineglass back on the table with a thump. Every nerve in his body lit up as the summons pulled at the very core of his being. Anxiety hummed through his bloodstream. “What’s wrong?” “It’s Austin. He’s calling me. Fuck, he’s scared.” Kage’s voice trembled with anger. “There’s something wrong. He’s terrified. I need to go now.”
“Really, I’m blaming you for all this.” Nodding, Austin folded his arms across his chest. Best to establish that up front. Hudson snorted. “Oh?” Kage asked, leaning against a brand-new black Chevy truck in the parking lot. “Do tell?”
“I never thought he was a demon,” Austin said, gazing at Kage. “Even as a kid.” “I know.” Affection tinged Hudson’s voice. “He was your monster.” “Yeah.” Austin stared steadily at Kage. “My monster.” The stiffness in Kage’s body left. He lifted his hand and ran a knuckle down Austin’s cheek. “And yet you never feared me.” “The real monster in my life back then was not you. It was never you.”
“Can anyone take part in that snarly, whispered conversation or is it just you two?” Austin asked. “Just wondering.”
“Asking!” Hudson interrupted loudly then jabbed Kage in the ribs. “He’s asking. Because otherwise that could come across as a little bit controlling, and Kage wouldn’t want that. Right, Kage?”
“Dragon. I’m a dragon.” “Oh my God!” Austin jerked the steering wheel slightly. “Seriously? A dragon? Those really exist? I mean, you really exist? How big are you? What color are you? Can you fly? How old are you? How…. Crap. I’m not supposed to ask that kind of stuff, am I? But… dragons!”
“YOU’RE MINE.” Nothing like cutting to the heart of the matter. Kage wasn’t sure if Austin was ready to hear what he had to say, but since he’d point-blank asked him, Kage wasn’t going to lie.
Kage leaned in. “I would like to kiss you, Austin.” “You’d damn well better.”
“Enough already!” Hudson pointed his finger at Kage once they were back in the limousine. “I didn’t think daemons could pout, but by the dead gods, you’ve proven me wrong. Congratulations.” Kage sighed heavily. “That. That right there. That’s what I’m talking about!” Hudson exclaimed. “If I have to listen to one more sad, pitiful sigh, I’m going to pull my hair out. Or yours. If you don’t go get that human, I’ll call Maia myself and tell her to go get Austin and bring him here. You are completely ridiculous.”
My clan members are important to me, but you? You I would burn the world for.”
At some point during the night, he’d drifted toward Kage and hugged him up. He’d turned Kage into the little spoon, which was hysterical. It was also eye-opening. He’d never cuddled anybody while sleeping.
