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  When his lips closed over mine, I snaked my arms around his neck, and fisted my fingers in his gorgeous, thick hair. I pressed my body closer to his, my lips opening hungrily, our tongues meeting, tangling together.

  Dax's hands traveled slowly up and down my back and then slid to my waist. He was gentle with his mouth, tasting me, nibbling so softly on my lower lip. When I broke off to catch my breath, sweating from the heat he put off, he slipped his full lips down to my throat and kissed his way to my collarbone, nibbling along its width. A soft moan escaped from my throat.

  His head jerked up, his pupils so dilated his eyes looked black. He was almost painfully hot now, but I resisted the urge to move back the fraction of an inch that the tree branch would allow.

  "You are so damn irresistible," he said, his every muscle tense. "You have no idea how much I'm restraining myself at this moment."

  "Maybe…" I tried to catch my breath. "Maybe you shouldn't restrain yourself."

  He inhaled quickly, his eyes wild, as if he was seriously considering it. But then he put his hands on my elbows and pulled me off him, moving me gently back as much as was possible in that tight space.

  He chuckled. "You may not be thinking straight, but it's essential that one of us does." He planted a soft, quick kiss on my forehead. The skin there tingled like I'd held a match to it.

  I opened my mouth to complain, but was interrupted by a beep. Dax pulled his phone—just like mine, but black—out of his pocket and looked at it.

  "It's Oscar," he said. "He says Marion's close; he must’ve called the house. I should return." He looked over his shoulder and then back at me. "Shuck's back in the woods. He'll make sure you get home safely."

  “What time is it?” I asked, the world and my responsibilities coming back into focus.

  “Almost eleven o’clock.”

  "I should pick my mom up." She'd be getting off work and driving home by herself. I didn't like the idea of her out alone when Dax feared for my safety. If there was a dangerous demon in Eden, I didn't want her unprotected either.

  Dax frowned, but he knew I wouldn’t be deterred. "I'll have Shuck follow you through the woods next to the highway as you drive. But since the diner isn't bordered by the woods, he might not have the time to sprint across the road and into the parking lot if something out of the ordinary should happen."

  "But Marion's going to be at your house, isn't he? And unless there's something you haven't told me, he can't be in two places at once." I smiled at my pathetic joke, but Dax didn't return it.

  "You're right," he said thoughtfully. "But will you hurry? Make absolutely no stops along the way?"

  I stood on my tiptoes and kissed the corner of his mouth, my heart leaping wildly in my chest. "I promise."

  He closed his eyes again and then shook his head, as if he was trying to clear it. "It's amazing," he said, staring deep into my eyes, "how you can do that. Just completely clear my head of any sane thought process."

  I laughed. "You have the same effect on me, believe me."

  He grasped me to him and kissed me furiously. When he finally released me, he smirked at my gasping, incoherent exclamations. Then, in another blink of an eye, we were speeding down the tree trunk and he was placing me gently on my feet, one hand still at my waist to steady me.

  I put a hand to my head. "Wow. Maybe a warning next time would be good."

  He laughed. "Come on. I'll walk you home."

  "No, I'll just slow you down. Go. I'll be safe with Shuck."

  He hesitated, but then looked over his shoulder, communing with his hound. When he turned back to me, his expression was much more confident. "All right. He promises he won't let you out of his sight."

  I smiled. "So he talks back?"

  "Of course." His grin was mischievous. "Don't all dogs?"

  I laughed, and just like that, he was gone.

  I parked outside Irma's diner, whose official name was Dine Fine, but no one called it that. I wasn’t even the least bit nervous about Marion because I knew Shuck was watching. My mind kept replaying images from what had happened on the tree, the words Dax had said, and I had to bite the inside of my cheeks to keep from smiling like an idiot.

  A quick glance at my dashboard clock told me it was a little past eleven. Mom had been working the eleven to eleven shift forever. After Dad died, she’d often leave the house early just so she could spend more time there. I guess it was the one place she didn't feel his absence.

  At ten past, I hopped out of the car to let her know I was waiting. If I didn’t, she might decide to stay until her shift started again at eleven the next morning.

  I loitered at the edge of the parking lot, facing the woods across two lanes of highway, wondering if I should call out to Shuck to tell him what I was doing. But he could probably see me even though I couldn't see him. Right? Just in case, I pulled out my cell phone to fool the last of the stragglers in the parking lot and said, "I'm going inside to get my mom. Be right back!"

  When I opened the door, the smell of fried food and coffee hit me in the face like a hammer. Almost instantly, I was transported back to middle school. I remembered coming here to sit and do homework while I waited for my mom to get off work. That was before my dad died, back when she'd actually cared about things like being home when school got out and making family dinners.

  I waved to Mom and she waved back from behind the counter. She didn't look especially surprised to see me, nor did she look happy or unhappy. She just simply was, like those highly specialized robots in Japan. They looked lifelike until you really watched them from up close.

  I walked up to the counter and sat on a sticky bar stool. "I'm here to pick you up tonight. Hope that's okay."

  She stared at me blandly for a second. "Why?"

  I shrugged and fiddled with the napkin holder. "Just because. You're almost done, right?"

  "So there she is!" I looked past my mom and saw Irma, walking toward me from the kitchen. She was even more bent over than the last time I'd seen her, four years ago. Her hair was completely silver, and her wrinkles more pronounced, but her face was just as open and kind. "And how are you, Cara, darlin'?"

  "I'm well, Miss Irma." I smiled. "You look pretty as usual."

  "Now isn't that nice." She patted her small, wispy hair bun in an exaggerated gesture. Winking at me, she put a hand on my mom's shoulder. Even though Mom wasn't much taller than my five feet four inches, Irma had to reach up to do it. "Your sweet girl's waitin' on you, Grace. Why don't y'all go on home?"

  "I have to do the dishes first," Mom said in a monotone. "Then I have to cash out the register."

  "Well, now, I can do that for one night," Irma said kindly. "Don't keep your girl waitin’ too long."

  A frown creased between Mom's eyebrows. "I always do it. It's my job."

  I sighed. "It's all right. You can finish up, Mom. I'll wait outside, okay?"

  She turned and went off to the kitchen. Irma and I exchanged a glance when the swinging door had closed behind her.

  "Bless her heart," Irma murmured. Then, turning to me, she said, "So. Finished college, did you?"

  "Yes. Didn't help much with my job prospects, though." I twirled my keys nervously in my hands, thinking of Dax up on the hill, talking to Marion.

  "Ah, well. Your mama says you got yourself a good job anyhow."

  I looked at her, surprised. "Mom said that?"

  "Mm hmm. She talks about you." Irma rubbed her back and leaned over the counter. "She may be broken, Cara, but she ain't forgotten her love for you. And don't you forget that."

  I blinked rapidly, tears threatening right behind my eyelids. It was a moment before I could speak again. "Right. Well, I guess I better go. Let you get back to your chores."

  "All right." Irma smiled kindly. "Y'all take care now."

  I walked outside, still staggered that my mom actually mentioned me to other people. I didn't know she even registered what I said to her, let alone that she actually cared enough to relay th
e information to others. I stood at the edge of the parking lot again, looking toward the woods. Since there was no one else out there besides me, I spoke out loud. "Going back in the car now, Shuck."

  I got in and sat at the wheel for a moment, looking toward the diner. Then I slid my phone out of my pocket. Maybe I’d text Dax, see how it was going.

  I had three unread text messages from him and a missed call. My ring tone must be set to silent.

  Cara, are you home?

  You should be home by now.

  Marion could be headed your way. I'm coming.

  My hands started to shake. I set the phone down and started to open my door so I could get my mom when a soft voice spoke from the back seat. "I wouldn't do that, my dear."

  I jumped and turned in my seat, my heart slamming itself against my ribcage, a muffled shriek making its way out of my throat.

  The man in the backseat was tall and thin, but his forearms jutted with tendons that looked like steel cables. There was something menacing about him without being obvious—maybe the way his coal black eyes were slit as he looked at me, or the way his pale skin seemed almost translucent. His dark brown hair hung to his shoulders in a tumble of waves.

  "Do as I say and this will all go well," he said in a voice like oiled steel—smooth, with an underlying hard edge.

  I sat there, my sweaty hands twisted in my lap, hoping that my mom wouldn't choose this moment to come out. If he was taking me, I'd go. I didn’t want to think about what he’d do to her if she interrupted. Or to sweet Irma. My heart raced even faster at the thought of her getting hurt.

  "Turn around and drive," Marion ordered. "Head north on the highway."

  My mouth was completely dry as I started the car, but cold sweat beaded on my lip and at my hairline. I thought about Dax, about him coming for me. He'd find me. I had to believe he'd find me. But even as I sped north, toward who-knew-where, I knew it would be a miracle if he did.

  "So you're the one," Marion mused. "He tried to speak of you so casually, but I knew better. There was something about his tone that said you weren't just any mere mortal. And then, of course, I saw your clothing at his house, caught your scent, and it all became clear. You’re his betrothed."

  My hands tightened around the wheel. He meant my clothes from when I'd gotten soaked in the rain. Why hadn't I remembered to pick them up? "What do you w-want from me?" I tried to keep my voice steady, but my lips felt like they were stuck together, my throat lodged with broken glass.

  "Only everything your demon would take, my dear," he said politely. "He must be taught a lesson, after all."

  Fifteen miles outside Eden, Marion had me pull off the highway and drive through a small clearing in the woods. When we were sheltered enough by trees so no one passing by could see us, he got out of the car, opened my door, and stood aside.

  "Out." A touch of impatience colored his tone. He bounced on the balls of his feet as if he had energy enough to run a marathon.

  He directed me down a few yards deeper, into a thicket of trees. The wildlife had fallen silent once we'd begun to walk, perhaps sensing the danger in their midst.

  I stood there, shivering in the fog and cold breeze. Marion's black eyes glinted in the moonlight, and when he smiled widely, his teeth glowed. I remembered that his hound, too, had had the same eerie type of phosphorescence, and shuddered at the memory. Marion said he wanted to do everything to me that Dax would do. It was clear he meant he wanted to kill me and take my soul.

  He circled me, the wind blowing his hair back and around him. His black leather coat and black pants fitted his villainous identity, something I would’ve found funny at any other time. But it didn't strike me as particularly amusing in the moment.

  Dax, where are you?

  "Let me go," I said when he'd come full circle to stand in front of me again. "Dax will find you and he will kill you."

  But Marion only chuckled. "That'll be a change from the composed façade I saw tonight then, won't it? But to be honest, I don't think he will. I think he's too afraid, too...cowardly. Living a life of good will toward humans." He snorted, as if the idea was ludicrous. "So here's what I'm going to do. I'll mate with you, and then I'll take your soul. It won't be enough to nourish me more than a few months, I'm sure, and I'll have to kill again. But ah, such is the life of a demon." He shrugged and grinned.

  I shuddered violently at what he said. He wanted to mate with me? No, I thought, clenching my fists. No, no. He wouldn't do that. I wouldn't let him.

  Marion laughed as if he could read my mind. "There's no point in fighting it," he said reproachfully. "You'll only make things worse for yourself."

  And with that, he was on me. Before I could even process what was happening, I was on my back, pinned to the forest floor, Marion's blazing body on top of me. He held himself off enough so I wasn't crushed, but he wasn't anywhere near as gentle as Dax.

  I couldn't breathe.

  I began to kick, up and out, but then he repositioned himself so my legs weren't free anymore. I took a swing at him when I had an opening, but my fist bounced off his face without causing a hint of damage. Pain exploded in my hand instead, and stars bloomed across my vision.

  Marion laughed uproariously, as if we were enjoying a good game of wrestling. "Oh, but you are spirited, aren't you? Most mortals just lie still when they realize what I am." He yanked my hair back and brought his face close to mine. He reeked of damp earth and moss, secret and dark. My nose burned. "I think I'm going to enjoy you. Yes, indeed." His black eyes began to glow an iridescent, deep purple, and his skin blazed even hotter. My skin burned agonizingly where he touched me. I would've been writing in pain if I could've moved at all.

  Instead, I opened my mouth and screamed.

  "Scream all you want." His scorching hands trailed to the waistline of my pants. "No one's out here to hear you."

  "Are you sure about that?"

  I gasped and my heart soared at the beautiful sandpaper voice I knew so well. Marion began to turn around, but before I could push him off, he was ripped off me.

  There was a thunderous crash as he slammed into a tree on the far side of the thicket. A large branch broke off with an earsplitting crack and pieces of bark rained down on him where he lay.

  Dax stood in front me, crouched and ready to spring. Marion got back up on his feet, but he wasn't fast enough. Dax crashed into him, and they rolled before Dax got up on top. Even from a dozen feet away, I could see Dax’s hands steaming. The heat wafting off the both of them turned the cold night balmy.

  With a roar that was equal parts fury and outrage, Dax put his hands on either side of Marion's head. Marion's eerie purple eyes went wide, and then a moment later, his head turned completely to dust. His body went still.

  Dax turned to me and sprinted forward in a blur. His eyes were gentle, his jaw tense. "Cara," he said softly, his hands outstretched. "Oh, Cara. I am so sorry."

  A sob flew from me as he gathered me into his arms. His body was much, much hotter than usual, still burning from his rage, but it felt so good. It was exactly what I needed in that moment. The blood in my veins seemed to have turned to slush; my breath was dry ice. Dax wrapped me up in his arms, rocking me gently. "It's all right," he said. "You're safe. You're safe now, my love."

  I couldn't stop shivering. "How...how did you find us?"

  Dax rubbed my arms with his hands, and my goosebumps began to slowly recede. "Shuck saw your car begin to drive down the highway. He can't communicate with me from great distances, but once I got down the hill, I heard him. I went in the direction he said, and then it wasn't hard to find your scent. I'm attuned to it so finely." He squeezed my waist gently. "I'm so sorry I jeopardized your safety."

  "You didn't do anything," I said. "It was just bad timing."

  He shook his head, the muscle in his jaw clenched. "No. I will never make that mistake again. The next time, you will be with me."

  There was a ripping sound, and I jumped. Shuck was over by Mario
n's body, tearing off pieces of him. I shuddered again, and Dax pulled my head back into his chest.

  "Taking care of the evidence. He feels guilty he couldn't do more for you. He couldn't scent Marion because the scoundrel took the long way around the woods to get to your car."

  "Tell him it's not his fault," I said. "You warned me he couldn't be close to me at the diner." I took a deep, shuddering breath. “I need to go pick up my mom. She’s probably wondering what happened to me.”

  Dax shook his head, stroking my hair. “I drove by your place on the way here, and her van was already in the driveway.”

  I wondered if my mom had simply forgotten that I was supposed to have been waiting outside for her. “Hey. How did you know Marion was headed for me? I got your texts, but it was too late.”

  “It was only an inkling. I saw his gaze fall on the clothes by the hearth, and I realized he must’ve been able to put the pieces together. He’d smell your human scent, and combined with the way I was compelled to protect you from his hound, well…he didn’t have to be a genius to understand that you’re my betrothed. And I knew the vengeful bastard would come after you.”

  Before I could respond, Dax stiffened and then turned toward Shuck. "Wait here a minute, please," he said, his voice strained. "I need to look at something."

  I stood rooted to the spot as he went toward where Shuck stood, a piece of gleaming flesh at his feet. Dax leaned down and stared at something, then pulled out his phone and took a picture.

  When he came back to me, his face was grim.

  "What is it?" I asked, my pulse hammering in my throat.

  "Marion was part of a clan," he said. I could tell he was trying to control his tone so he wouldn't alarm me.

  I swallowed. Fear was beginning to thrum in my chest. Something was very wrong. "And what does that mean for us?"

  "That means," Dax said, his eyes beginning to shine with fury, "that they'll come looking for us soon.”

  In the morning of life, when its cares are unknown,