Page 52 of Kiss of Light

Avery pulled the cover over the open back.

“No problem. And thanks for the Dodge. That thing’s worth a fortune. I’ve moved it downtown, just in case anyone comes looking. In a few hours it’ll be in a different state.”

“Good move.” Tala checked her pockets and frowned. “Dammit. Left my phone on charge. Be back in a tick.”

She headed back to the cellar, leaving the two men eyeing each other.

“It was good of you to let us stay, given the circumstances,” Lemar said eventually. “You must be a good friend of Tala’s.”

“Averygood friend. The type that knows her inside and out.”

Lemar’s expression didn’t change but his stomach tightened in anger.

“Is that why she let you keep your hand?” he asked neutrally. “It doesn’t surprise me. Tala has a soft spot for underdogs.”

Avery’s eyes narrowed.

“Well, you would know. She told me about you too. There’s quite the hunt going on for you.”

“We seem to be ahead of the game for now.”

“For how long? Because from what I saw last night, Tala has her work cut out protecting you.”

“We’re managing just fine, fae.”

“Oh you think so, do you? How did you heal yourself last night, bloodsucker? Did you drink from her?” Suddenly Avery was standing right in front of him, angry blue eyes staring straight into Lemar’s brown ones. “Did you take her blood?”

“That’s none of your business.”

“Itismy fucking business if her life is in danger.”

“Does shelookas if her life’s in danger?” Lemar smiled goadingly, allowing the fae a glimpse of canine. “I can assure you I didn’t do anything she didn’t ask me to.”

Avery swallowed angrily.

“Tala thinks keeping you alive will help Nush’aldaam. I just hope you’re worth it.”

They both heard her approach and assumed their former positions. But Tala could sense something in the air. She looked curiously at the two men.

“Did I miss something?”

“Not at all,” said Avery easily. “Just asking Lemar to watch out for you.”

“Watch out for me?” Tala’s nose wrinkled. “I’m a demon. I could pick one of you up and use you to beat the other one senseless. I don’t need anyone ‘watching out for me’, thanks so very much Mr. Victorian.”

“That’s what I told him,” said Lemar smugly. Tala frowned.

“You needn’t sound so cocky. If it wasn’t for Avery we’d be up shit creek right now.”

She stood on tiptoe and kissed the fae on the cheek. He wrapped his arms around her, shooting Lemar a smirk over her shoulder. Then he deliberately buried his face into her neck, inhaling the scent from her hair.

Lemar held onto his temper with an effort.

“We should get going,” he said abruptly. He slid into the driver’s seat and started the engine.

Tala shook her head at Avery reprovingly.

“You’re a jerk.”

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