Page 17 of Licking Fire

Timothy smiled. “Yes, but I think there is more to it, and I think you’re already starting to suspect who she is to you.”

“I phoned my cousin,” he confessed, his entire body tight. “Zarek thinks she’s my mate. That’s ridiculous, right?”

“Is it?”

Rayer closed his eyes. “The truth?”

“Is always best.” Timothy put his hand on the bloody sweater.

“I’d given up hope of finding the one for me. And when I saw her, I wanted to keep her forever. I wanted to possess her. That’s not right. It’s not natural.”

Timothy grinned. “It is for a dragon shifter, sir.”

“Did she tell you who hurt her?”

“It would seem your mate wrote an article exposing corruption in our city government, and the mayor isn’t taking it well.”

The mayor, Henry Valentine, was a bottom-feeding alligator shifter who belonged in the sewers, not running the city. He and Rayer had gone head-to-head more than once over the last few years, and each time Rayer had fought the urge to kill the man.

“He sent the aemaemurous demon after her?” He turned to head to the door, his intent to track down Valentine and kill him.

Timothy’s magik swept over him, locking him in place.

“Release me!”

“The young lady down the hall needs you here, not out killing anyone. At least not yet. Get to know her, Rayer. Then seek out those who wish her harm, and destroy them—but first, claim the woman.”

He paused. “Claim her?”

“You’re acting a lot like you’re six, not six hundred.”

“I feel like I’m six,” confessed Rayer. “She confuses me. I want to kiss her and kill everything else.”

Timothy laughed, and then headed for the door with the sweater in hand. “I’ll see to this and get clothing ordered for her. Was there anything else you wanted for her?”

“What do women her age like?” asked Rayer, feeling out of his element. He was a natural-born ladies’ man who felt anything but suave around Alondra.

“I’ll see what I can come up with,” Timothy said, heading for the door. “I’ve given her something to help her sleep.”

“What about the aemaemurous toxins?” asked Rayer, concerned for her.

“My line has always been able to fight off most toxins. That explains why it's been seeping from her wounds. Her body is slowly ridding itself of the toxin. Her system just needs rest. By morning, she should be fine. But if anything changes, ring me. Oh, and, sir, you might want to reach out to Tobias and the rest of your men. I think they should go to Alondra’s apartment. The address is on her driver’s license. My gut is telling me Valentine left a trap for Alondra there. Warn your men.”

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