Page 40 of Mercy & Her Devils

How were Lark and I so lost in our first kiss that we didn’t even hear his approach?

Or is he just that stealthy?

Flushing, Lark and I pull apart.

My heart speeds up, and I take a moment to steady my breathing.

Then my gaze steels.

No one is hurting Lark again.

Lark may be…a lot…taller than me. My muscles may still not be truly responding. I may not be able to stand up.

But I’m not broken anymore.

Lark has given that to me.

I feel stronger than I ever have done before.

Immediately, I growl at the same time as Lark does.

Lark leaps to his feet, standing protectively in front of me.

He looks commanding and dangerous.

Fucking hot.

The guard doesn’t look taken aback, frightened, or even angry.

Instead, he grins. “Wow, awesome. Fierce. I didn’t know that you were both feral. Have you killed anyone? Do you want me to show you how to fight? I know MMA. I could teach you some easy hand to hand combat, dirty tactics, you know? You’re tall. I bet that you could really handle yourself.”

Lark and I both stop growling and gape at the Beta.

He’s leaning casually against the bars, holding a steel plate.

He’s like sex on legs.

The Beta is smaller than Lark but lean and wiry. He looks barely out of college.

Also, as if he’s actually a gorgeous actor, who’s mistaken this for the film set of Omega Redemption.

He has olive skin, startling silver curls that tumble over sharp cheekbones, and mischievous chestnut eyes that have unfairly long lashes.

He’s wearing a black guard’s uniform that has the Institute’s Greek symbol for Omega, encircled by gold, on its pocket. Yet I’ve never seen anyone wear a uniform that’s so rumpled and creased before.

It’s clearly his first day.

The navy silk scarf, which is decorated with foxes, makes him look even more roguish.

Why the hell is he a guard?

It doesn’t suit him.

A career counselor somewhere seriously sucks at their job.

Lark narrows his eyes. “Why don’t you open that door, and we’ll see?”

The Beta straightens, twirling the plate on his hand. “Said the spider to the fly, right? I’ll stay out here, but thanks for the offer. I’ll show you from this side of the bars.”

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