Page 60 of Higher Demon

I cock my head slightly to listen to Ian in the hall, chuckling over something the person he’s talking to has said, his voice a soothing shiver along my nerves. The scent of him lingers through the house, a combination of soap, cheap laundry detergent, human grubbiness, andIan. I think about the mornings when I open my eyes and his face isn’t on the pillow beside mine, hair tousled, cheeks flushed with sleep, his breathing calm and even. I hate those mornings.

“I’m not ending things,” I confirm. “He may. Eventually.” He’s human, after all. And a hunter.Andhis brother loathes me. I’m not exactly someone he can be with openly, if he wants to be with me at all.

“What are you thinking that’s made you so sad?” Titus’s face has smoothed to neutral, but his eyes are watchful.

“He’s human.”

“You’ve overcome your feelings about humans enough to have carnal relations with him,” he points out, and I huff.

“I doubt he’ll overcome his about me. I’m a demon. A higher demon, at that. He knows what I’m capable of. Could he ever trust me enough to be with me that way?” It’s hard to believe this is a thought I’m putting into words.

“He trusts you well enough to be with you in other ways, even knowing what you’re capable of.”

“But why would he want to live his entire life having to trust me to that extent, every moment of every day?”

Titus shakes his head. “Are all humans so evenly matched, then? None of them enter into relationships with people whocouldharm them if they chose?”

“This is rather different.” There aren’t any humans capable of completely taking over—or crushing—their lover’s minds without them even knowing.

“Isn’t that up to him to decide?”

The question hangs between us, and I stamp down the tiny thread of hope it raises. “He’s going to die anyway,” I say instead. “Humans do. In the blink of an eye, he’ll be gone.” The very notion sends rage coursing through me.

“He doesn’t have to.”

My throat goes dry. Damn these human bodies. They’re so reactive. “He wouldn’t want that.” It’s an automatic protest because I don’t want to consider that hemight.

“Also his decision, not yours. Though of course, he can’t make it if he doesn’t know it’s an option that exists.”

I seize upon the opening. “We’ve gotten distracted. You were laying out my options.”

Titus sighs. “Very well. If you won’t end things, you could continue the relationship as it is until it runs its course, doubtless leading to heartbreak on your part.”

“It wouldnot.”

He scoffs. “Please, Marc. You forget how long I’ve known you. You’ve never acted rashly or impulsively. The only reason you would now, when so much of what you’ve worked for is at risk, is if your emotions were irrevocably tangled up.”

“I don’t have emotions,” I insist, and the bastard laughs.

“It doesn’t surprise me that you believe that. You’ve hidden them for so long, I doubt you even recognize them. But demons love, and demons bond, and when we do, it’s irreversible. Like recognizes like, and something in you has recognized your hum—Ian. If he ends it, you’ll be broken.”

The truth of it hums through me. “None of these options sound appealing.”

Titus shrugs. “The third is tell him everything. Tell him what a bond between you can do.”

Reflexively, I shake my head. “You know I can’t. He’s a hunter. It would destroy his life.”

“I thought one of your concerns was how soon his life would end?”

Damn him.

“Didn’t you say you had to get back before you’re missed?”

He smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “Whatever you decide, I’ll have your back.”

A heavy sigh escapes me. “I know.”

“Don’t forget what I said—enemies aren’t always where you think.”

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