Unable to sleep, Shae twisted beneath the duvet and stared through the undraped windows into the dark night. Her thoughts were in chaos, the hollowness in her tummy deepening.

The door to the bedroom opened. Footsteps sounded. Dagan entered the dressing room, the lights from the bathroom silhouetting him. Then he just stood there, head lowered, hands on his hips. His shoulders heaved as if in weariness. He unbuttoned and shrugged off his shirt, his muscles rippling with his movements. At the sight of the bloody dressing on his side, she jerked upright, worry surging.

Dagan yanked off the gauze from his wound with a vicious tug and stalked into the bathroom. The shower came on in a harsh rustle.

Helplessness sweeping through her, Shae slumped back on her pillow. Christ. She squeezed her eyes tightly. How were they going to fix this? He needed blood. And she couldn’t deny him that.

Feeling as if her stomach would escape her, she buried her face in her pillow…

The bed covers lifted. His cool, very naked body slid alongside her t-shirt-covered one.

“Shae?” He swiped her hair aside and pressed his lips to her nape. Her breath hitched. “I know you’re not asleep.” A heavy sigh barreled out of him. “I hate hurting you this way. I wish things could be different, but I am what I am.”

“No, don’t.” She twisted to face him. “I’m sorry for what I said. I don’t want you to be different, I just—”

“Shae—”

She put her fingers on his lips. “You’re healing too slowly, I saw your dressing, Dagan. Animal blood can’t give you what you need, and that leaves you vulnerable.” This close to him, she could see the tense lines around his eyes and mouth. Not having a true feeding was taking a toll on him. Much as it hurt her, she couldn’t force him. And he would never risk her. “You’re probably right. I am human—”

“And mine. You give me all I need, my wildcat. Yes, my wounds will take longer to heal this way, but I just have to be careful.”

She lowered her hand to his abs, and the muscles there tensed at her touch. Lightly, she traced the edges of the new dressing on his side. “The way you worry about me, I feel the same about you. You put yourself out in deadly situations daily. Maybe if…” God, it was so hard to say it. “If it was just the goddess’ blood, I could accept you feeding from another...”

The hand caressing her hip stilled. He stared at her as if she’d said the sun was pink. Then he hauled her close and wrapped her in a bone-crushing hug. “I couldn’t. You are all that is right in my life, and I won’t dishonor you or defile my mating bond in any way. Animal blood is fine.”

“But for how long?”

He shrugged. “Humans get hurt, heal, they move on. It’s the same thing. I just have to give this wound a chance to mend and I’ll be okay.”

She shouldn’t be relieved, but she was. He was hers.

“I checked this Luka out through my sources while on patrol,” he said, distracting her, his tone hard. “He’s a dangerous bastard with deprived needs. Women usually don’t make it out alive once he has them.”

“Then that’s all the more reason to stop him.”

Dagan glared up at the ceiling.

“You know I’m right.” Shae pushed to her elbows and waited until those frustrated yellow eyes met hers. She kissed him.

Growling, he nipped her lower lip, his fingers tangling in her hair. Slow and decadently, he sucked the sting away. Amazing how he could bite her without breaking her skin…her thoughts scattered as he trailed sensual little kisses along her jaw before he pounced. Like a huge cat, he had her under him, his eyes dark and intense. “You are mine, Shae. Mine.”

His mouth covered hers. Her heart skipped at how tenderly he kissed her, and she realized he did give her his all when he made love to her. It was right there in his kiss. But, still, she longed to be the one who could fill his other need…

* * *

It was long past noon when they got up. While she had breakfast, Dagan left for a run on the estate. Now secluded in the turret TV room, she worked on the editorial for her Nightlife series while she waited for him.

The door opened. Dagan walked in with Hedori. His gaze touched hers briefly. No smile, just that look he had for her alone. He said something about clearing out his workshop and turning it into a study/living room before disappearing into his workspace.

“Wait.” Shae set her laptop aside, jumped up and followed them. “What about your sculpturing?”

“This is a castle, Shae. We have space.”

“Yes, we do,” Hedori agreed. “There’s an unused storage room in the basement.”

“Perfect.” He strolled closer. “Don’t worry, Shae-cat, I’m not one of those vamps who like dark, gloomy places.” His lips twitching, he gave her a heated stare. “Besides you, I enjoy woodwork. It keeps me pleasantly occupied.”

Warmth rushed to her face.

Amusement crinkled the corners of his eyes. “I want a place for us to relax and be away from everything. I’ll help Hedori sort this out. It’s better you work in the library for now.”

“Okay.” She grinned and then told him the news. “National Geographic wants the series I did on Nightlife.”

“That’s good… Damn.” He rubbed a hand over his stubbled jaw. “I hate doing this when I see how excited you are about your work, but being my mate, it will be dangerous for you to continue. We have deadly enemies.”

She chewed her lip and looked around the workroom covered in sawdust and wooden sculptures. Yes, she’d known that after her conversation with the other women. Mostly, her job was a way to move around the country while she looked for her mother.

“I know.” A thought took hold. She smiled. “Since I can’t be idle, I’ll work for you and design a catalogue selling your sculptures online. It’s sacrilege that you use them as firewood.”

He stilled, but his eyes gleamed with an emotion that made her heart trip. In one stride, he crossed to her and pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. “We are meant to be.”

* * *

Dagan parked the Ford deep in a dingy alley downtown, and Shae warily took in the gloomy surroundings. Nothing moved in the still night, except for up the street where a noisy crowd gathered near Club Anarchy.

He leaped from the vehicle and rounded the hood to her side. She swiped back her wavy bangs with cold fingers as he opened the door, and got briefly distracted by him. Leathers hugged his muscular thighs and a black Henley covered his wide chest. Despite the chilly weather, he hadn’t bothered with a coat tonight.

“Stick to the plan,” he repeated, grasping her waist and helping her down. But the intractable jut to his jaw spoke volumes. No, he wasn’t happy about any of this. Still, even he couldn’t argue with the logic of how fail-proof her plan was.

“I got this. Stop worrying.” She patted his chest.

“Not worry when you’re putting yourself in harm’s way?”

“Dagan—” She sighed. “You know it’s faster this way. Besides, what they don’t know is that I’m no longer what I once was. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be close and can kick their asses.”

He gave her an unamused look. “Nice try, but you aren’t leaving my sight, not even for a second. If you sense an inkling of danger, call me, use your telepathic link.”

She rolled her eyes. “I can teleport, not telepath.”

Yes, you can. He pulled off one of the several black bands from his wrist and tied his ropey hair into a ponytail. Just think your message to me, like I’m doing now. Use your mind. When we soul-joined, it opened our mental pathway.

At the faint sound of his voice in her head, her mouth dropped open. Well, that she didn’t know. She nodded. Okay.

Laughter at the entrance to the busy club up the alley drew her attention. Her cell beeped with a message. She pulled her phone from her coat pocket. He’s here. I’ll hang around in case you need me.

“It’s Harvey. Luka’s here.” Right. Time to get the show on the road. No use putting off the inevitable—the moment she’d been dreading since their arrival. “Let’s get this done. You should make yourself invisible.”

When he didn’t move, she reminded him, “It’s the only way you can be close enough to keep watch.”

She unbuttoned her long coat, and his gaze lowered to the dipping neckline of her dress, revealing the curves of her breasts. A tic started on his jaw, but he remained silent. She shrugged off her outer garment, and as she turned to leave it in the truck, a furious snarl erupted behind her.

“No. Fucking. Way!”

She winced. Taking a deep breath, Shae pivoted, keeping her expression calm. “What?”

“Don’t play the innocent game with me, Shae-cat, you won’t win.” His eyes narrowed dangerously. “Is that why you dressed before I came up to change for work? So I wouldn’t see this…this underwear you call a dress?”

She grimaced. True. Still, she’d thought the mid-thigh-length, silky, black dress sexy. But seen through his eyes with its backless style dipping low to her hips and almost non-existent straps—yeah, it probably showed too much skin.

“You’ve seen me in short skirts before, how is this any different? Besides, men are visual creatures, so this slip dress is perfect.”

“You are my mate! Mine. Only I get to see you this way!”

At the utter possessiveness rolling off him, Kira’s comment from last night ricocheted in Shae’s head, The hardass is gonna go crazy seeing you like this.

Before he could flash her back to the castle to change—and he was quite capable of doing so—she hastily added, “Dagan, I have to draw his attention. Fast. This is the only way…unless you want me to throw myself at him?”

Those sun-bright eyes scalded her.

Blowing out an unsteady breath, she stepped around him, out from the shadows, and headed toward Club Anarchy. The heels of her blood-red stilettos clicked on the asphalt, and the slightly flared hemline of her dress fluttered around her thighs. She smoothed her cold, damp hands down her hips when the warm, woodsy smell of sandalwood with a hint of cherry tobacco surrounded her. And she sighed in relief.

In his invisible form, his presence felt like a soft caress against her skin, as if he’d put his arm around her shoulder. He probably had.

Shae shivered, not because of the chill in the air, but because a tingle of desire flowed through her. Yes, he could do that with simply a touch, a look, and now, his concealed presence.

Aware that Dagan would get her inside the club easily, she glided past the line of people waiting on the sidewalk, her mind back on the plan. She’d called Harvey to lay out the strategy that morning. He hadn’t been happy either, but had agreed to the plan as long as she had backup in place.

These weren’t the local demons she was going up against, but ones from the Dark Realm. So having heavy Guardian artillery close by was good.

As she approached the busy entrance, the bouncer gave her the once-over, his gaze lingering on her chest. Then he started to choke, coughing violently, gasping for breath. Red in the face, the bouncer waved her inside.

Darn it, Dagan, she sighed through their mind-link.

Then it’s best they keep their eyes and thoughts to themselves, his cool tone flickered through her mind. Or they’ll lose far more than limbs.

Really? You’ll give us away with that possessive display.

At his silence, she rolled her eyes and pushed open the heavy door into the club. Strobe lights whizzed around, almost blinding her. Heavy Goth rock ricocheted off the walls as she headed down the stairs, past the crowded dance floor, and made for the bar.

Stick to the plan, Dagan reminded her again. Don’t question him about your mother, just get him outside.

I know.

His presence faded, leaving her a little wary. A survey of the packed counter and she found the demon who matched Harvey’s description; tall, olive skin, built like a swimmer. He’d pulled his dark brown hair into a ponytail, revealing the telltale star tattoo on his neck that rose to his jaw. He appeared young, harmless, like some college boy. But she knew better.

With a sway of her hips, Shae headed for the bar. As she neared Luka, a guy a few seats down from him got up and left. Luka glanced her way.

Amazing how fast her psychic vibe drew those of his ilk despite so many good-looking girls around. None seemed to care about her scarred face, unlike human men.

She claimed the seat and ordered her margarita, keeping Luka in her peripheral view. He spoke to two other demons.

As the bartender set her drink in front of her, a voice said from behind her. “That’s on me.”

The bartender nodded. A hint of the demon’s power brushed against Shae’s senses. The tiny hairs on her arms rose. He was testing the strength of her abilities. Thank God, she’d learned how to shield, but she let a little of her power stream out to keep him interested.

She cut him a cool look. “I can pay for my own drink, thanks.”

And judging by his confident swagger, he had no idea that she knew who or what he was, but her refusal certainly piqued his interest. “Yes you can, however, this way I get to talk to a pretty girl.”

Smooth. He probably had women falling over themselves when he worked the charm. She needed to get him outside, but she’d ruined that with playing hard to get—damn! It was just habit and wariness. If Dagan knew, he’d be pissed.

Get him out of the club, now! Dagan’s terse telepathic message held a cold bite.

Crap. Can’t. Need a few more minutes.

She drank more of her liquor. The guy seated next to her suddenly rose and left. Luka had to be using mind control. Before he tried that shit on her, thinking fast, she gulped down the rest of her drink. “Wow, needed that.”

“Tough day?” he enquired politely as if he weren’t an evil asshole who hurt women.

Shae scrunched her nose and said with a rueful smile, “The worst.” Pretending to be tipsier than she actually was, she angled her head at him. “What’s your name?”

A satisfied smile stretched his mouth. “I’m Luka.” He clicked his fingers, nodded, and another margarita appeared. “And you are?”

She picked up the frosty glass and slowly licked the salty rim. “Shae.”

“Ah, beauteous, just like you.” Dark, lust-filled eyes barely lingered on her damaged cheek but stayed on her mouth for a bit before they roamed down her body, undressing her in their descent. “Want to talk about this bad day?”

Right, as if he were really interested.

He stroked a finger along her forearm resting on the counter. Her first instinct was to snatch her hand away. Instead, she leaned forward, giving him an eyeful of her cleavage. “There’s this asshole at work who comes on to me every day, and he’s here tonight.”

“Good thing I’m here, then.” His fingers drifted to her hair and down her shoulders, his power like sharp pinpricks against her skin, stronger now. His irises took on a creepy, reddish glow.

Hurriedly, Shae blocked him before he did his mumbo-jumbo on her. “Whew! I’m hot.” She brushed the wavy strands away from her face.

His eyes narrowed, he didn’t respond. In a flash, he cupped her neck with one hand and kissed her.

Shae froze. He swept his rough tongue over her lower lip before pulling back. Bile rushed up her throat in revulsion.

Fuuuck! That she didn’t expect.

He smiled. And then she knew. Bastard! He’d been testing her, checking if her abilities had obstructed his mind control. Christ, she longed to scrub her mouth and smash her fist into his face.

“You wanna get out here?” he drawled.

She nodded, smiling happily. Gah!

“Come on, human,” he murmured. Secure in the knowledge that her mind was his, he let his true nature free. Asshole.

Shae stumbled off the stool. He slung an arm around her shoulders and gave a slight incline of his head. “I have something you’re really going to enjoy.” He licked her ear. Her fists clenched. “My cock. Then I’ll gift your blood to my two minions. See, I promised them payment for a job they did. And, little psychic, you’re perfect.”

That’s what he thought.

Shae gritted back a retort. God knew how many other innocent women had fallen into their trap and died. But this bastard allegedly knew where her mother was. So she clamped her teeth down, bore his touch, and couldn’t wait until they got outside.

He led her through the congested nightclub and down a dim passage. Moments later, she stepped into the cooler night and furtively cast her gaze around for Dagan but couldn’t sense him. Except for his curt order earlier, there had been radio silence from his end. It didn’t take a genius to figure out why.

In a fast trot, Luka steered her into a stinky backstreet where he cornered her against the wall. “Come on, beauty, let me get a taste of you before I see what you have hidden beneath that dress.”

“Wait, wait.” She turned her head, avoiding his mouth. Thinking fast, she said, “Let’s go to your place—”

“No, here.” He slipped his hands to her thighs. Shit. About to summon her obsidian dagger, suddenly, Luka was hauled away from her and rammed into the wall.

“What the fuck? I said after I’m done with her!” Luka spat then cursed. “Dammit, not you fuckers.”

Relief surged through her when she laid eyes on Dagan’s tall form.

“What are you up to, demon?” he asked coolly as if he’d just stumbled into them. No sign whether he’d seen Luka touching her.

“Just having some fun.”

“Right.” Cold, yellow eyes flickered dispassionately to where she stood a few feet away. “You here of your own free will, human?”

What the—? Shae scowled, wanting to hit him at the tag. “Yes,” she shot back.

A nerve jumped on his jaw.

“You heard her, now get lost,” Luka drawled, brave once again.

In response, Dagan grabbed the demon by his shirtfront.

“What the hell?” Luka snapped. “Why are you all over me? I just wanted some action with this hot piece. I don’t know why you’re harassing me. I’m not breaking any laws.”

“Would you give us some space, Shae?” He cut her a cool look. “I don’t want to get blood on your little dress.”

Little? Uh-oh. Uneasy, she stepped back. He was pissed as hell.

“I haven’t done anything,” Luka protested, struggling to free himself from Dagan’s grip.

“Haven’t you now?” Dagan asked, tone dangerously pleasant. “We can do this the easy way. Or the hard… I’m really hoping you’ll choose the latter. Tell me about the female, Jenna. Where is she?”

“I don’t know what—” Luka’s dark gaze flashed to Shae and glowed red in understanding. “You fucking whore—”

Dagan punched him in the face. Bones crunched. Blood flowed. “Never speak to my mate that way again.”

Luka roared, clutching his nose. A wave of his hand, and his face healed. A flash of metal reflected in the moonlight. He leaped at Dagan, who didn’t even attempt to evade the attack.

Nooo! Shae darted to him.

“Don’t.” He flung out his hand, stopping her, jaw tight as Luka slashed at him. She bounced against the invisible barrier that had sprung up between them.

Dagan trapped Luka with invisible restraints against the wall. The demon squirmed, scratching at his throat with one hand, trying to break free of the psychic hold, his skin taking on a red, leathery appearance, before morphing back to the frat boy. His eyes bulged from their sockets as if he were choking. He rasped, “You don’t know whom you’re dealing with.”

“And you, it seems, want to learn the many ways I can make you scream without touching you.”

The dagger in Luka’s hand rose and pressed against his neck. Slowly, it started digging into his flesh. A raucous growl erupted as blood seeped from the hole.

“Where. Is. Jenna. Ion?”

“Fuck off.”

The blade sank deeper. A cry rattled out of the demon as if his larynx were damaged.

“You don’t talk, you’ll kill yourself.”

More blood spurted from his deepening wound. Perhaps finally realizing just how precarious his situation was and whom he was dealing with, Luka choked out, “Let me go, and I’ll tell you where she is.”

Dagan folded his arms and waited. Shae was aware that he could simply kill the demon and get his last memories off the blade he held, so why was he torturing him?

“She’s in a warehouse in the Bronx. You won’t get in, she’s heavily guarded.”

“Address?”

After some stuttering and gurgles, and with the blade pushing deeper, the demon gasped out the answer. And the dagger sliced him clean across the carotid. Blood gushed. He slumped to the ground. Seconds later, his body shimmered and crumpled into ash before vanishing. Not even a spot of blood remained. The blade on the ground melted into a lump of steel, and with a wave of his hand, Dagan flung it into a nearby dumpster.

Shae stood there, frozen to the spot. She knew he was lethal, but to see him kill so coldly and without any bodily contact shocked her. “Why?”

He cut her a flat look. A tick pulsed hard on his jaw. “He and the rest of those assholes have had your mother imprisoned for six months.”

They did. God. She rubbed her cheek, unable to bear the thought. “Wait, there were two other demons with him.”

“Both dead.” At the chilly tone behind her, Shae wheeled around. Hedori stood a foot back, his expression scarier than Dagan’s icy one.

“I’ll be back,” Dagan told Hedori, grasping her hand. “I’ll see Shae to the castle.”

Uneasiness twisting her stomach, she shut her eyes and held on tight as he dematerialized them. They took form again at the castle portico. He ushered her into the brightly lit foyer and, without a word, turned to leave.

“Wait.” She grasped his arm. His muscles tensed beneath her fingers. “I’m coming with you, I want to be there when you find her.”

“Don’t push me, Shae,” he said in a dangerously low tone. “Don’t make me do something we’ll both regret.”

“What? You’ll lock me up in the basement again?”

“Are you really going to start an argument you won’t win while your mother’s held captive?” His bright eyes burned with suppressed anger. “The deal when I agreed to that asinine plan of yours was that once we got the address, you’d let me handle the rest—”

“Asinine?” she retorted. “We got a location, didn’t we?”

“I could have gotten it regardless—and with less fuss. I only agreed so you wouldn’t insist on going with me to find your mother.”

“Damn you, Dagan,” she bit out in frustration. Why had she thought she could change his mind? The man was like a damn rock.

Those cold eyes held hers. “I’m already damned, Shae. Don’t you know that? And very easily since you are my mate. Your part’s done. You will keep your promise and remain behind.”

Then he vanished.