Tyrian realized her nudity and said, “Everyone out but Nanu.” The men obeyed

immediately.

“There’s been news since last night,” Rayn said. The warrior’s short hair was sticking in thick spikes as if he’d run his hand too many times through it.

“What?” Tyrian said. He tried to control his anger, his fear, and put it into the

dispassionate place he always did, but it didn’t work. He sounded angry and at the point of breaking, even to his own ears.

“Telal Demuzi called early this morning. He said he has some interesting news you’ll want to know about. It didn’t sound good. I tried to get him to tell me, but he said he’d only deal with you and not some...servant,” Rayn said with a twitch to his eye.

Draven clapped him on the back. “Don’t take it seriously. Telal’s just a dick because his entire race and family is forced to live under the rift.”

Henry turned to him. “Don’t tell me you support freeing the demons to run amuck

upstairs.”

Draven shrugged. “Listen, our scientists have proven that only the idummi are the psychopaths. Like Telal, most demons are family-oriented, honorable even. Plus, I may have been young when the Great War started, but some of those rumors floating around might have some merit to them.”

Tyrian couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Are you trying to insinuate that the war my father waged and fought was over some simple matter of jealousy?” Tyrian was letting his anger get to him.

“No, Commander. My apologies,” Draven said, bowing his head.

“That’s not what it sounded like to me,” Tyrian said. Nanu saved the warrior from any more lashing as she came into the room. She had a small smile on her face that eased Tyrian’s nerves markedly.

“She’s fine. We got all the poison out. She’s loopy from the drugs and everything that’s happened. I’m going to give her some pain meds to ease her. I suggest you take her to bed, she’ll need plenty of rest after this.” Tyrian went into the bathroom and met Chloe’s foggy eyes.

Her wrists and knees were wrapped in gauze bandages and another was taped near her

sternum. The sight shouldn’t have bothered him. He’d seen far worse on, and off, the battlefield.

Hell, he’d had worse done to him, but none of that mattered.

Whatever this demon was she’d summoned was powerful. It didn’t just want her dead

either, but wanted her brought to it. But that only brought even more absurd hypothesis to the table. What on earth would a demon want with a succubus? She had no powers, nothing that could benefit the demon in any way he knew.

“Tyrian?” she asked, hesitantly. Tyrian grabbed a thick white robe off a hook and

wrapped it around her before lifting her into his arms.

“I’m here,” he said, his voice gruff. Her arms came around his neck and he finally felt lighter, his head clearer. Enchantress.

“I feel like shit,” she said weakly. Tyrian choked on a laugh and she smiled up at him.

“See, I knew you could laugh. It had to be somewhere in there.” Tyrian cleared his throat and carried her out of the bathroom.

“What do you want me to tell Telal?” asked Rayn. Tyrian looked down at the frail

woman in his arms.

“Tell him I’ll contact him as soon as Chloe’s well.” Tyrian started out of the room but her voice stopped him.

“Wait, I need Lily. Get my sister for me please? She knows a lot about this demon stuff,”

Chloe said, her words growing fainter as exhaustion crept over her.

Tyrian looked back at his men who nodded to say they got it, then took her to his room.

He didn’t even think about it, but carried her right to the bed he rarely slept in and tucked her in.

She passed out before he even pulled the covers over her.

Tyrian watched her for a minute. This feeling he had in his gut. It was one he’d once been familiar with and had strived to never feel again. In just a matter of days, this succubus has managed to unravel years of control that he’d built inside him. He would have to distance himself from her. He couldn’t keep taking her body either, her vein, he almost laughed. More like letting her take him.

Every time he was around her, every time she told him something about herself, he felt himself softening. It was a dangerous road he travelled. After the incident at the hotel, she was no longer safe with him.

And he was no longer safe around her.

Tyrian left the bedroom and found Lucinda standing nervously at her bedroom door.

“How is she?” His frimar was lovely. Her voice was soft and gentle; her gowns were simple and lovely. Yet never had he felt a spark of lust for her in all the years she’d been with him.

“She will fully recover.”

Lucinda nodded, keeping her head bowed. “It has been many days since you’ve taken

from me. You will grow weak if you don’t.”

Tyrian stilled and glanced back at his closed bedroom door. He’d taken Chloe’s neck.

He’d almost forgotten he’d done it. He’d been so lost last night, that he hadn’t even thought about it, had just pulled her head to the side and taken her.

He swallowed hard, his cock threatening to swell at the thought. She’d tasted unlike anything he’d ever had. Far from the thick richness of his frimar, she’d been light and sweet like some drink from the gods. He hadn’t wanted to tear himself away, had only forced himself to because of his need to protect her, to see to her pleasure. His heart stuttered in his chest at the revelation.

Since when was he a man that saw to a woman’s pleasure? This had to stop. Now.

Lucinda waited for him expectantly. She was the perfect frimar. Quiet, amiable, understanding. She never judged nor asked more from him. She only offered her vein when he needed it.

Tyrian took a step towards her then stopped. Shaking his head, he said, “I’m fine today.

Thank you, Lucinda.” He left her standing in the doorway and couldn’t believe what he’d just done.

Willow spun around in a circle, eyes searching the road behind her. Dark emptiness

stared back at her.

“Where are you, you little devil. I know you’re out there,” she mumbled. She picked up her pace and made for the small German town she was near.

She knew that feeling that made the hair stand up at the back of her neck. He was near.

So close. Too soon. A hot blush crept over her cheeks. She’d lost herself to him. Like some little floozy, she’d given in to his touch. She shook her head. She couldn’t be any less proud of herself.

Sure she’d bested him by getting away and even left a snarky little note for him after he passed out, but that didn’t make her feel better. Not when he’d bested her in the most basic of ways—he’d made her want him. She licked her lips remember the way he’d filled her mouth so full. She could only pray that it was the new moon hormones that had her body pulsing with need at the thought. Because if it wasn’t she was royally screwed.

That feeling of being watched came over her again. Willow stopped and turned around quickly. Nothing. She gritted her teeth and contemplated yelling at him to show himself. She knew he was out there. Somewhere.

“Hiding like a coward,” she said under her breath. She turned back and walked into the town, happy to see cars driving by, people riding on their bicycles. There was safety in numbers.

She needed to find the local train station, bus station or something. She had to lose him and hopefully for good this time. His senses were entirely too good. She still couldn’t believe he kept her favorite shirt like some kind of weird souvenir. Bastard.

A man walked towards her on the street. He was dressed nicely and wore a chic pair of black glasses. His gaze met hers and he grinned before his eyes tracked down her body. Willow glared and when his eyes met hers again he quickly looked away. Yeah, that’s right, she thought.