Page 49 of Legacy of Chaos

“You go. I’ll catch up.”

She stared at him through the dense tendrils of fog that swirled in the space between them. “I’m not leaving you here alone.”

He didn’t look at her, but she swore he said something like, “I couldn’t save him.”

Not so distantly, a sound like something wet slithering on metal sent a chill up her spine.

“Stryke,” she said with growing urgency. “Let’s go.”

His head swung around, and she drew a sharp breath at the gleaming gold burning in his eyes.

“I can’t,” he growled. “It’s not safe.”

A warm wave of arousal washed over her, and instantly, she understood. “Did you bring your medicine?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a crushed injector pen. “This contained four doses.” He closed his eyes. “Blade was right. I’m an arrogant asshole. I couldn’t save him.”

“Er…yeah.” He wasn’t making sense. None of this made sense. Maybe he was experiencing a nervous breakdown. Too much stress or something.

“You did everything you could for Ubundi,” she said calmly, but his eyes popped open, and he looked at her like he didn’t understand.

“Not Ubundi.”

Not Ubundi? What was he talking about?

Something in the fog snarled, and closer, something hissed. She decided to worry about whatever was wrong with Stryke later.

“Okay, we’ll deal with it inside.” He didn’t move, but he did open his eyes. Somehow, they glowed even brighter, a molten gold that made her feel like whiskey flowed through her veins. She burned in the best way. “Stryke.” She extended her hand. “Wereallyhave to go inside.”

The wrench clattered to the deck, but he still didn’t move. Fiery turmoil as violent as the stormy sea filled his expression, drawing her in with a sense of almost morbid fascination. She wanted to touch that fire. See how badly it would scorch her.

She stepped closer, her heart pumping so hard she could hear it over the roar of the wind. Desire fluttered in her belly, even as her brain screamed that they were in danger. Screamed thathewas the danger.

“Come on,” she whispered, taking his hand.

His grip snapped closed on her wrist, and he wheeled them both around lightning-fast, slamming her against a huge tank. He pinned her wrists above her head and pressed his big, warm body against hers.

Teeth bared, his face inches from hers, he growled, a sound that relaxed her muscles and turned her core liquid. Oh, wow. So, this was why lust demons were so dangerous. Here they were in a situation that could get them killed, and all she wanted to do was strip off her clothes and let him do whatever he wanted to her. Right here. In the cold rain. Likely with demons stalking them.

“Go…inside,” he gritted, even as he pushed his pelvis into hers, the hard ridge of his erection making her instinctively roll her hips against it. He sucked in a harsh breath, and the gold in his eyes swirled.

“I’m not going in without you,” she said, her voice sounding more breathless than she’d like.

“Yes, you are.”

Did he understand what he was saying? Did he really want to send her away? What the hell was wrong with him?

Her lust turned to instant fury, something she was far more comfortable with around him. She jerked angrily out of his grip. “What is your deal? If you stay out here, you’ll get killed!”

“I know. But I won’t make it easy on them, and I’ll take out as many of those bastards as I can.”

Oh, gods. He was serious. He really was prepared to fight to the death. And he wasn’t even bothered by the idea. It was all just very ho-hum.

“Stryke, you don’t have to die. Come inside.”

He laughed, kind of a maniacal laugh timed perfectly with a flash of lightning. “Twila is mated, and you said you wouldn’tfuck me if I was the last male on Earth.” He turned back to the railing and looked out into the darkness. “It’s okay.”

Dammit. He was right, and he was being completely and frustratingly logical about it. Again, with the ho-hum.

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