Page 178 of The Demon's Pet

Warmth filled me, and I realized how right this felt, sitting alone with him in the moonlight.

I wanted to get closer to him, to know everything about him.

But I knew deep down that it would only result in him pushing me back.

He’d told me what this was at the start. He’d told me not to fall for him.

I just hadn’t known how hard that would be.

“Cleo, I’m going away for a day or two, maybe longer,” he said. “I need to get my head on straight. I need to go back to slaying for a while.”

I straightened, panic moving through me. “No, you can’t. What about—”

“Mor can train you,” Sam said. “Simon can protect you. Despite how he looks and acts, he’s one of the most powerful vampire kings in existence.”

“Simon’s a vampire king?” I nearly yelled in shock.

Sam laughed softly, a sound that resonated in my heart. “Yes. He was close to Cayne. They ran this place together. I think he’s glad to see creatures here again.”

I nodded. “He has been very welcoming.”

“He gets lonely,” Sam said. “Some vampires treasure their deadness, but Simon likes to feed on human emotions and feel alive. You should be able to trust him.”

“Is that why you nearly got in a fight with him?” I asked. “Because it sure seems like you don’t trust him at all.”

Sam put his hands in his hair, leaning forward so I couldn’t see his face. He let out a huff of frustration. “That’s just it. I’m so possessive I can’t control myself. And I was too impatient to stay for your training. Cleo, you’ll be better off without me. I’m not a good coach, like Cayne was. We at least need a break.”

My chest felt tight, like the walls were closing in around me. “No. You can’t go. I need you.”

He eyed me stiffly. “No, you don’t. Cleo, you’re more powerful than I’ll ever be. You just don’t know it yet. Even without your lasers, you’ll be able to protect this place. Until you’re ready, others are here to help you.”

I swallowed. “I’m not good at killing yet.”

“You will be when you need to be,” Sam said. “When someone is truly in danger, I don’t believe you’ll be able to hold back. That’s why I was angry with Mor for pushing you.” He sighed. “I know what it’s like to be at the stage where you don’t want to kill.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Whereas now you love it.”

“I have to,” he said. “Because I have to do what needs to be done either way.” He grinned. “But yes, after the first time I killed and bloodlust took over, feeding me without sex, I did come to love it more. But I also love the feeling of being powerful. Of knowing that I’m strong enough to protect myself and others. For so long, I felt so weak and couldn’t protect even myself. So I know the luxury of having strength, and I don’t take it for granted after being powerless for so long.”

“I see.” The more I came to understand this amazing person, the more I couldn’t help the squeezing feeling in my heart at the thought that he would leave.

“I got you to this place,” he said, folding his hands together. “That was all I ever planned for. And I will need a favor from you, when you’re ready. But in the meantime, we can only cause each other trouble. I can only distract you.”

“What trouble?” I asked. “Sam, we’ve been together in this all along. Without you—”

“You’ll be fine,” he said, shooting me a wan smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You’ll be better off without me. I was only supposed to find the Morningstar, not get involved with her.”

“No—”

“You have things you need to do,” Sam said. “Things far more important than I am. I’m just a slayer, and it’s best if I focus on that for a few days to remind myself. As it is, I’m not able to keep myself away from you.” His eyes met mine, burning. “This thing between us, it’s dangerous. I would have died to bring you here, Morningstar. But now, it’s not up to me any longer. Between Simon, Betty, Griffin, and Mor, you’ll have everything you need.”

“Why is it dangerous?” I asked. “Why is it dangerous, just because we’re getting closer?”

He swallowed, and his face was pained when he looked back at me. “I can’t seem to stay distant from you, which is dangerous to me. I can’t do it again. I can’t care for someone and lose them. And I don’t want to disrespect your feelings either, if I can’t return them.”

I looked up at him. “So you know how I feel for you?”

“I’m an incubus,” he said softly. “I almost always know what you’re feeling.”

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