Page 67 of Higher Demon

“Yeah.”

“I love you. I…” I look away, unable to meet his gaze in this moment. I’m not used to being vulnerable with humans. I never would be with anyone else. “That’s not something I’ve said to any being before.”

“I’m glad to be the first.” He grabs my hand, and I savor the sensation of his skin on mine. “Marc, I’m not suggesting we race out and tell the world we’re in love. We both have a lot to learn about each other. Well…” He squints. “I have a lot to learn about you. I’m sure you already know everything there is to know about me.”

“You constantly surprise me,” I confess. “Now, for example.”

He grins cockily. “That’s me. A barrel of surprises. But I mean it. I love you, which was hard for me to get used to. Matt knows, by the way.”

“Of course.” No wonder he’s been wary of me.

“The thing is, we need to work out how we fit together, and the world needs time to get used to the idea that demons aren’t inherently evil. I think I’d like my brother to know a lot sooner, but it’s going to be years—decades—before we can go public. Maybe by then you’ll be tired of me.”

That won’t happen. I take a breath, not looking forward to the conversation that comes next. “Let’s go inside. There are some things you need to know before you begin making long-term plans.”

Chapter25

Ian

There’s never beena happy conversation that began with “There are some things you need to know,” so I’m on the verge of shitting myself when I follow Marc into the house. I drop my keys into the bowl he put on the front table just so I’d stop “scarring the furniture like a barbarian.” Sometimes I deliberately don’t use the bowl, just so he’ll insult me.

No wonder it took me so long to realize I love him.

I give myself the thirty seconds it takes to reach the front parlor to enjoy the knowledge that he loves me too. It’s not just me feeling things—he’s right there with me. He wants a future with me. We just have some hurdles to overcome.

Okay, mountains. And I’m not just talking about Connor’s bad temper.

Marc sits in his favorite chair, and for once, he doesn’t give me a victorious smirk over beating me there. Wow, this must be even worse than I thought. I give things half a second of consideration, then plant myself on his lap.

“What—” His arms come around me automatically. “Ian, this is an important discussion.”

I rest my hands on his shoulders. “I know. That’s why I think we should be close to each other when we have it.”

He sighs. “Then we’ll move to the couch. I need you to have your own space for this.”

Okay, fuck this shit. I get up and move without complaint. This conversation needs to happen ASAP before I sweat through my underwear.

Marc leaves about a foot of space between us, and that just bumps up my nerves. “You’re not going to suddenly mention some kind of cannibalistic ritual, are you?”

He smirks, that familiar twitch of the mouth that makes me want to smack him, and I relax a little. “No. There’s no cannibalism.” Pause. “Unless you want there to be.”

“You’re an asshole.”

“I love you, too.” He brushes imaginary dust off his pants, but for once, it doesn’t feel pretentious. More like he needs a minute to get his thoughts together. “I’ve told you how higher demons become.”

I nod, remembering that mindfuck from six years ago. “You evolve like Pokémon.”

He winces but doesn’t correct me. “There isn’t much else I’ve told you about us. You already know that my powers make me capable of nearly anything. You know that in that regard, there will always have to be trust between us.”

“Yes.” My throat’s dry.

“One of the abilities higher demons develop as we age is the bond. The bond is… unique. It can only occur in very particular situations, and it’s permanent. It…” He fidgets, and my nerves intensify again. “It’s a connection between essences.” He looks at me expectantly.

“Dude, use more words.”

Exasperation fills his face. “Ian, I’ve asked you not to call me that.”

“Yeah, but you’re not explaining this well. Just tell me straight out why a bond is relevant to us.”

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