The explosion slammed Marcus's mortal body against the riverbank before he could fly to safety. His enemy was on the hunt, firing his blaster at random, hoping to make his para kill for the night. Instead, the PCell agent discharged his weapon into the ground, sending shockwaves across the English countryside.
Marcus could have been destroyed because he'd been distracted by a pretty face.
That pretty face.
Was his intense attraction to her a side effect of the conversion from his Ash Demon form to human flesh and bones? It had to be. It wasn't like Elizabeth Burke was breathtakingly beautiful. He'd seen prettier.
"Are you off your trolley? You could have gotten yourself killed."
The not-so-pretty Elizabeth, with her red-streaked hair damp from the rain, stood over him, pinning him with her golden eyes. "Come on, then. We've got to get you out of here. You walked into a bloody mess."
In a helpful gesture, she grabbed his arm and Marcus fought back his resentment. He was Ash Demon, a race superior to mortals. He hadn't been physically wounded and didn't need assistance from this petite creature. Standing, he wavered, struggling to regain his strength. The conversion had weakened him more so than usual. Or had a salt bullet from the agent's blaster actually grazed his skin?
Elizabeth led him away from the river that weaved through the lush, rolling countryside, away from certain annihilation if he'd been caught by a PCell assassin. Correction: not caught, executed. PCell's sole purpose was to destroy paras of all kinds, without thought, without reason.
"What's your name?" she asked.
She seemed awfully trusting, but then they'd met before, even if she didn't consciously remember the encounter. They'd met, he'd defended her, and he'd held her in his mortal arms until she'd fallen soundly asleep. She'd been the only woman he'd held that way, and back then she was just a girl, terrified by Marcus's demon cousin who'd wanted to slake his need with a human virgin.
"My name is Marcus." Even his voice sounded weak.
"Easy then, Marcus. My auto is just beyond those trees. I'll give you a lift out of here. I was finishing up when I heard the blast. What were you doing anyway? The enchanted forest is dangerous for people like us."
People like us? The girl had no idea she was walking beside an Ash Demon, a creature from the dark realm sent to find her, seduce her, and use her knowledge to destroy PCell. A mission he did not relish, yet would fulfill in order to save his kind: paras of the dark realm.
She didn't realize the danger of being in Marcus's presence because Ash was the most highly evolved of the demon race. Having been created from human ash of the Great Fire of Rome, Ash could assume human form better than any other creature of the dark realm. But the mortal seed running through them also made Ash more susceptible to the horrific emotions of compassion and love, two vulnerabilities that could strip an Ash Demon of his identity if he succumbed to their charms.
"It's lovely out this evening," he said, his voice returning. "I decided to take a stroll and lost my way."
"Ah," she winked. "Must be having girl trouble."
She had no idea. His mission was to fill her with his demon seed against her will, the very act he'd defended her from when she was but sixteen. No, he was nothing like his cousin. Marcus would make her want him, make her feel loved before he took her.
"Hold it!" a male voice ordered.
Elizabeth turned, but didn't raise her hands. "Aw, Mickey, I should have guessed that was your blaster destroying my eardrums."
Marcus turned and faced off with a PCell agent, blaster in hand. Agents were recruited by the British Security Service to destroy any and all paras, no questions asked. Marcus automatically raised his hands in surrender.
"Put your hands down, he's not going to shoot you," Elizabeth scoffed.
"Bloody hell, Lizzy." The agent stormed up to the girl. "You've got to stay out of our business or you're going to get yourself killed. Who's your friend?"
The agent eyed Marcus, who struggled to look harmless and innocent. But then in Marcus's present form the agent wouldn't be able to identify his origin by sight.
"This is my friend, Marcus. Leave him alone," the girl said. "What did you find tonight? Any good…" she paused, "leads?" Her eyes brightened.
Marcus sensed her enthusiasm about the paras of the enchanted forest.
"It's top secret business," Mickey said.
Marcus wondered why the bloke didn't use the long-barreled clicking device to check the area for paras, or at least use it on Marcus. Did he believe the girl's story that Marcus was her friend?
"So this is where you bring your dates then?" the agent said. "On your stalking expeditions?"
"I'm not stalking you."
"What would you call it? I've got a job to do, Lizzy, a dangerous job and I don't need daft little girls interfering."
"I'm twenty-seven, you bloody twit."
Marcus sensed her frustration. He'd sensed a lot about her since he'd been in her presence, including her inquisitive nature and gentleness of spirit. A shame he'd have to strip that gentleness in order to achieve his goal.
"I'm going to save your life one day, and you're going to eat those words," she said.
"Yeah, and how are you going to do that, by rescuing gents like him? No, I'm putting an end to this right now. Give me the backpack."
"I will not."
The agent reached out to grab her pack and Marcus stepped between them.
"You'd best be minding your own business, mate." With a smile, he shoved the butt of his blaster into Marcus's stomach.
The wind knocked from his body, Marcus fell to his knees.
"Mickey, you wanker, what'd you do that for?" Elizabeth kneeled beside Marcus and stroked his back. "Breathe, that's it."
Then she was jerked away as the agent ripped off her pack. Struggling to fill his lungs, Marcus couldn't do much more than glare at the bastard.
"You're done, Lizzy, hear me?" The agent threw the pack to the ground and pulled out a handgun. "I can't be wasting good salt ammunition on this, now can I?"
He fired multiple shots into the bag. The girl shrieked and wrapped her arms around Marcus. He'd been here before, only he'd been the one with protective arms around her.
The shooting ceased. "All done," the agent smirked. "Now stop trying to follow in your father's footsteps. You're not a part of this. Go find yourself a husband to take care of you."
The agent marched off into the glen. Elizabeth sat back on bent knees and searched Marcus's eyes. "You all right?"
She didn't seem frightened, yet Marcus' heart was pounding. Probably because he feared Mickey would discover his identity and blast him to pieces.
"My ears are ringing," Marcus said.
"It'll pass. Let's get you home."
"What about your backpack?"
She glanced at it and sighed. "Doesn't look good, does it? Bastards, they're afraid to let women join their group. Like we'll contaminate it or something. I'll go through what's left of my equipment when I get home. Can you stand?" She helped him to his feet. "I suppose you're wondering what this is all about?"
"I am a bit curious."
She grabbed what was left of her backpack. "I can't tell you specifics because it will put you in danger. Just know that there are other forces, dark forces out here that agents like Mickey protect us from. My advice to you is to forget this whole affair."
"Sounds like you should as well," he offered.
They approached a small beat up car. She tossed what was left of her pack into the trunk and unlocked his door. "I want to do my part in the fight against evil, but they all think I'm some kind of weakling who can't take care of herself."
He could see why they'd think that. He'd thought that very thing ten years ago when he'd held her in his arms.
"You don't think I can either, do you?" She was staring at him.
"I'm sorry?"
"Hey, I saved your arse tonight, that's got to count for something."
"And I appreciate it, tremendously. I'm a bit addled is all. This is a lot of excitement for me."
"Right, sorry. You don't need to be dragged into my melodrama. Let's get you home."
They settled in the car and she drove off, down the dirt road that led to his remote cottage fifty miles southwest of London. "Down about two kilometers and turn by the broken oak tree," he directed.
"Must have been serious girl trouble for you to wander so far," she offered.
"No, no girl trouble." Not yet anyway.
She chatted away, talking about the countryside, the mechanical issues with her car, even about the unseasonably warm weather. She seemed so bloody trusting and fearless.
"What did that bloke mean, about your father?" Marcus asked.
"Oh, that was just a below the belt."
"I'm sorry?"
She gripped the steering wheel tighter. "I'm trying to make father proud is all."
Proud? No, there was something more behind her words.
"What's he about, your father?" Marcus pushed. "If you don't mind me asking."
"He's a brilliant man, a consultant who developed specialized weaponry for…" she paused as if catching herself, "for the military. I've invented a device that's even better at tracking the enemy, yet the service ignores me. I'm a big joke."
"I can hardly believe that."
She smiled. "Thanks. Nothing like compliments from a stranger." She hesitated. "But then you have to say nice things because I saved your life. A good thing I was out tonight."
Yes, a very good thing. And an even better thing that he knew exactly where to find her. Elizabeth Burke had remained on Marcus's radar since their first encounter more than ten years ago. He kept this fact a secret so it wouldn't be misinterpreted by Grigori, the rulers of the dark realm. He didn't want them thinking he'd grown fond of her or had assigned himself her personal protector. Staying apprised of her activities was simply a way to keep track of her father's work against paras.
They turned down the dirt drive and headed for the cottage, invisible in its present state. He'd have to release the spell to make the structure visible, lure her inside and finish his mission. A part of him wished they were meeting for a different reason.
Remember your goal: seduce her and learn what she knows about PCell so you can destroy them.
"Let me off here," he directed. "I'd like to walk the rest of the way."
"You sure you're up to it?"
"Quite." He had to get far enough ahead to cast a visibility spell without her witnessing it.
He opened his door, a plan forming in his mind. "Thanks again. Good night," he said. He started up the path and staggered, putting on a good show.
"You all right?" she called from the car.
He waved her off and stepped behind the weeping willow. He cast the spell to bring the cottage back into view.
"Bloody hell!" he called out. He went to the cottage and leaned against the front door.
"What? What is it?" She raced up to him and placed a comforting hand against his back.
Odd how every time she touched him a sharp pain lanced through his chest. Must be the physical connection to a mortal.
"A bit woozy," he muttered. "I'm fine."
"You are not fine, and it's my fault. Mickey socked you too hard because you were defending me. Come on, let's get you settled."
He handed her the key and she opened the door. Perfect. She'd be drawn to his vulnerability, not sensing the threat of seduction. He knew once he got her inside, she'd be defenseless against his charms.
With any luck he could finish his assignment in one night, one very full night of seduction, passion and mating.
Elizabeth didn’t feel threatened exactly, yet her nerves skittered as she stepped into the quaint cottage. She helped Marcus to the couch and glanced around the room. A hearty fire crackled in the fireplace and she wondered who’d tended it while he was on his walk about.
Glancing at the walls, she noticed worn classic novels lining wooden bookshelves and an oil painting on the opposite wall. Created with warm, red tones it featured a naked man and woman in the throes of passion, the woman’s head tipped back as her lover brushed his lips against her neck. Elizabeth’s skin warmed.
“I’m sorry, it embarrasses you?” Marcus said.
She ripped her attention from the painting. “Of course not.”
He didn’t have to know how utterly prudish she was, how innocent and naïve. She was rather inexperienced because typical blokes didn’t appreciate her qualities of focus and determination, nor did they fancy a girl who dressed in baggy jeans, a knee-length slicker and combat boots, with a fifty-pound pack of equipment strapped across her shoulders. Elizabeth didn’t fool herself. She wasn’t sexy or alluring, and that was fine by her. There was work to be done in the fight against creatures of the dark realm.
“Please, sit,” he offered.
“I could warm water for tea,” she said.
“That would be lovely.” He smiled.
Her stomach did a back flip. She snapped her attention from those fascinating blue-green eyes of his and went to put the water on. Truth was, she hadn’t taken the time to properly size up his looks, what with all the excitement of paras in the woods and Mickey’s confrontation.
She sighed. The destruction of her equipment wouldn’t stop her. She kept back-up materials at her flat in London. Later, she’d think about that, after she eased her conscience and tended to Marcus, the innocent bystander.
She glanced over her shoulder to get a proper look at her host. He was striking, with high cheekbones and an angular face. Yet he had a friendly look about him as well. Curious. Maybe that’s why she didn’t feel threatened. No, it was something else that put her at ease.
He ambled to the fireplace.
“You’re feeling better?” she asked, placing a pot of water on the stove.
“Much. Just being home puts it all right.”
She took off her slicker. “How long have you lived here?”
“The cottage has been in my family for centuries.”
She grabbed a kitchen towel and squeezed the moisture from her hair.
“Elizabeth?” he questioned.
She glanced up.
“I have a confession to make.” His gaze drifted to the mantle where his fingers stroked a statue of a scantily dressed faerie with long, wavy hair and soft wings sprouting from her back. Back and forth, his thumb brushed the faerie’s hair, down to her hip, to her naked thigh.
Elizabeth’s heartbeat pounded in her ears.
“What confession?” she whispered, because right now her thoughts were heading in a rather inappropriate direction.
“I’m not who I pretended to be, out there in the forest.”
“I’m sorry?”
As she watched him trail his thumb up the faerie’s torso, to her chest and lips, Elizabeth suddenly itched to feel this man’s hand on her skin, stroking her, setting her body afire—
“I lied,” he announced. “I didn’t just happen to wander into the forest. I knew it was there. I knew it was dangerous.” He snapped his hand from the statue.
Elizabeth took a step back, catching her breath. “You knew it was dangerous?” she questioned. “But you went out there anyway?”
“Yes, I’m looking for someone, someone I lost years ago in the forest.”
“Your true love,” she whispered. She didn’t know why she’d said it, but it made sense.
He glanced at the fire. “It’s not like that,” he paused, “exactly.”
She suspected it was.
“Why did you come out tonight?” she asked.
“The full moon. Legend has it that ten years would pass and on the full moon she would be released into the forest where I could rescue her.”
“How did she end up in the dark realm to begin with?”
“She was taken by a para, a demon, I think.”
Elizabeth leaned against the solid stone wall to ground herself. “Poor girl.”
He blinked and glanced away. Did he blame himself?
“I thought I could save her by offering to exchange information about PCell to the creature that held her captive.”
She stood straight. “You know about PCell? And you were going to betray your country?”
“No, I was going to lie. Make something up.” He shrugged.
“A demon would know you were lying. He’d kill you on the spot.”
“I had to risk it.”
“Yes, I guess you would.” Elizabeth wished a man had cared so much about her that he’d risk everything to love her.
“But now,” he hesitated. “I’ve lost my chance. When I saw you in the forest, I thought maybe you could help me find her with your instruments. But the PCell agent ruined that possibility when he destroyed your equipment. I must accept that it’s over.” Marcus ambled to the sofa and collapsed, staring into the burning embers.
She couldn’t stand it, couldn’t stand that a bloody demon had taken this man’s true love.
Her mobile rang, jarring her from her sympathies. “I’m sorry, excuse me.” She ripped the phone from her belt. “Burke here.”
“Elizabeth, I cannot believe you defied me and went hunting again.”
“Hello, father.”
“You have no business wandering about the countryside. It’s a good thing Mickey stopped you before you did real damage.”
“He did all the damage. He killed my equipment.”
“Good, now you can forget your foolish pranks, return to London and get back to work at the plant. That’s more your speed.”
She cringed at the thought of her boring job at father’s printing plant, one of his many businesses. She’d failed out of university thanks to sleepless nights tracking paranormal activity.
“I was trying to help the cause,” she explained.
Silence, then, “Lizzy, you will never be one of us and that’s final.”
The line went dead. His words rang hollow in her chest. She’d never be a favored Burke, but didn’t know why, didn’t know what she’d done to be cast aside as the frivolous, unimportant daughter. Her younger brothers, Thomas and James, were given family responsibilities and encouraged to reach their full potential. But not Elizabeth. She’d had her chance at university and mucked it up. If she didn’t get back to London immediately her father would take her job as well.
“Trouble?” Marcus queried.
She appreciated the furrow of his brow and concern in his voice.
“Father’s upset again.”
“Because he knows you’re with a strange man?” He smiled.
“Because I was out hunting. He’s ordered me to come back to London and forget this nonsense.”
He moved to her side, placing his hand on her shoulder. Warmth spread down her back.
“Do you want to go?” he asked.
The intensity of his eyes caught her off guard. She couldn’t break the connection.
“No. I need to prove I have something to contribute.”
“Of course.”
He grazed her cheek with his fingertips and she automatically closed her eyes. What in God’s name was happening to her?
“I have an idea,” he offered.
So did she. And it had nothing to do with tracking paras. Back off, Lizzy. This bloke’s taken.
She opened her eyes and he was smiling at her.
“I’ll help you,” he said. “What do you need to prove your worth to your father?”
“I can’t involve you.”
“You saved my life tonight. I could have been blasted by that Mickey character.”
“He would have figured out you weren’t a para and sent you on your way.”
But Marcus knew differently. If Mickey had pointed that tracking device at him, Marcus wouldn’t be standing here, safe in his cottage near the enchanted forest, chatting with this beguiling creature. She’d developed into a fascinating young woman.
He struggled not to be distracted by her charms.
“I’ll repeat my question. What must you do to prove yourself?”
He trailed a strand of auburn hair from her cheek. He noticed her pulse speed up at his touch. Take it slow, earn her trust. Then she will give herself to you willingly.
“Demons are the most dangerous,” she started. “PCell has been trying to discover their crossing over point, something called a traiectus. I think it means passageway in Latin.”
“If they find this spot?” he asked, but knew the answer.
“They will destroy the demons as they come through, before they can hurt us.”
“What will this mean for you?”
She turned and paced the cottage, her excitement making him hard, making him want her.
“I’ll finally earn their respect,” she said. “I’ll be the hero and I’ll have saved innocent lives, and PCell will have to accept me and father will…” Her voice trailed off.
“Your father will?”
“Respect me.” She glanced at the worn floorboards.
Marcus knew she didn’t crave his respect as much as she ached for his love. He couldn’t bring himself to tell her you can’t force someone to love you; she would never love Marcus, thanks to their differences. Yet that part of him, the mortal blood that raced through his veins had always felt something akin to love for this girl ever since he’d held her in his arms.
“Do we know each other?” She studied his eyes and he warmed under her scrutiny.
“Why do you ask?”
“There’s something familiar about you. I’m sorry. It’s silly. This whole plan is silly. I can’t find that portal any more than my father can stop me from wanting to save the world.”
“But I think I know where it is.”
Her eyes sparkled with renewed interest and desire rushed through his body.
“Just before I was knocked to the ground I noticed an orange glow coming from the forest,” he said. “I believe that could be the passageway you’re looking for.”
“Thank you!” She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“Sweet Elizabeth,” he whispered against her ear. She released her hold on him, but didn’t move away. He reached out and stroked her cheek. She turned into his palm he pulled her against him so she would feel his need.
“I shouldn’t be letting you touch me this way,” she breathed. “You, you’re heart is spoken for.”
He leaned forward, his cheek brushing against hers. “It’s not like that. I feel responsible for her, but it’s been years since I’ve wanted to touch a woman like this.”
He kissed her and to his surprise she parted her lips as if wanting to take him inside of her. Satan’s tears, she tasted sweet, like vanilla tea.
“You are too beautiful to be out chasing spies and ghosts,” he said.
“Hmmm,” she moaned against him.
With one hand framing her cheek, he trailed his other down her arm to the front where he could graze her breast with this thumb. Even through her thick T-shirt he felt her nipple peak with wanting. A moan vibrated against her throat, tickling his tongue.
He broke the kiss, breathing heavily against her cheek. “You are such an amazing creature,” he said. “Once we achieve our goal, they will be ashamed they never believed in you.”
“I will be the hero.”
She started unbuttoning his shirt.
“When we find the passageway you should call agents to be ready with their blasters.” He kissed her cheek, then down, to her neck.
“Yes, I’ll call them.”
And an army of Ash Demon would be waiting, would encircle and ambush the murdering PCell agents before they could discharge their weapons.
“I suppose we should go find the passageway,” she whispered.
“Daylight is best.” He reached between them and pulled her shirt from the waistband of her jeans. He slipped it up and over her head and tossed it to a nearby chair.
She spread his shirt wide and layered kisses against his chest. Bloody hell, he was a fool to think he was completely in charge. He’d only tasted female demons, never mortals, for fear he’s lose himself completely.
And now he realized how right he’d been.
But this was an assignment directly from Grigori. Find the girl, mate with her, control her.
She kissed his nipple, then licked it with her hot, wanting tongue. His hands tightened around her upper arms. Who was controlling whom?
“Elizabeth,” he said.
“I’m not, this isn’t like me…usually,” she confessed, nuzzling his chest. “I’m usually a good girl.”
Yet now she was bad, very bad because she was going to have sex with a stranger. She was going to give herself to Marcus, not because she cared about him, but because a mortal female could not resist an Ash Demon.
Marcus realized he was no better than his cousin.
He gripped her shoulders and gently held her away from him. Glancing up, her golden eyes were filled with desire, yet tinted with confusion.
“Elizabeth, we shouldn’t do this.”
Her eyes darkened with shame. She nodded and wrenched free, grabbing her shirt from the wood floor. She put it on, then searched the room. “Time to get some air.” She put on her coat but still hadn’t looked at him.
“Elizabeth?”
“The tea, the water should be boiled. I’ll take English Breakfast if you’ve got some. I just want to, I mean, need to—“
She rushed past him out the front door and slammed it behind her. What was the matter with him? He should have taken her. It would have been the best screw of her life. It’s what she wanted.
And he wanted to complete this torturous assignment.
He marched to the door, ripped it open and heard a woman scream just as a bullet hit him in the shoulder.
Marcus fell to his knees, clutching his wound. Thank the devil it hadn’t been a salt bullet or he’d be dead in minutes.
Which meant his attacker didn’t think him a demon.
“What is the matter with you, Mickey?” Elizabeth cried, rushing to Marcus and stroking his hairline. “I’m so sorry. It’s my fault.”
Mickey pulled her to her feet. “Leave him alone. You’re coming with me.”
“You can’t leave Marcus like that.”
“I’ll radio for an ambulance. Your father ordered me to bring you in so you’ll stop interfering in government business.”
“Let me go.” She struggled against him as he dragged her to the truck. “Marcus is helping me find the spot where demons cross.”
Stumbling back into the cottage and leaning against the sofa, Marcus struggled to remain conscious against the pain. He could do little but watch the events outside.
“What, that wanker? He couldn’t find his own fly to take a piss if he had to. Look at him.”
“That’s because you shot him, you idiot.”
“Shut up and get in the truck.”
“No!” She stomped on his foot.
Swearing, he spun her around, cuffed her wrists and tossed her into the truck. She screamed in protest. Mickey climbed in and, Marcus guessed, shoved something into her mouth because she stopped screaming.
After Mickey got back in the cab, the truck groaned up the dirt drive. Marcus pushed to his feet and staggered to the kitchen. He turned off the boiling water and reached for a sharp knife. He could heal from a mortal wound but only if he removed the bullet from his flesh. Blinking back the pain, he dipped the instrument into the water then edged the knife tip into his skin.
“Argh!” he groaned as he dug out the bullet. Within minutes he’d put a healing agent on his wound, bandaged it and was redressed…for battle. He wore a tight-fitting, lightweight jacket in case he had to fly and didn’t want excess material to slow him. He slipped into boots for kicking the hell out of Mickey if it came to that.
The image of Mickey tossing Elizabeth into the truck like a bag of garbage made his insides burn. How could he be so heartless?
Oh, not like Marcus, who had just tried to seduce her in order to make her help him destroy her own kind.
Assignment aside, Marcus had to help the girl. That would earn him more trust. And wasn’t that his objective?
Elizabeth was going to choke to death, all because her domineering father had ordered a PCell goon to drag her away from her frivolous activity and bring her back to London. She struggled to breathe, her eyes watering against the panic attack brewing in her throat. When her eyes watered, her sinuses filled, making it nearly impossible to breathe through her nose.
She had to calm herself, talk herself down. But the image of a wounded Marcus ripped at her conscience. Mickey had no intention of calling emergency, and that innocent man would probably die in his family’s cottage. A man she was intrinsically drawn to for no sensible reason.
What had she done?
The back door of the truck flung open, followed by a rush of cool night air. How could that be? They hadn’t stopped.
The handsome, angular face of Mysterious Marcus filled her vision. He slipped the rag from her mouth and she coughed. He put his finger to his lips, encouraging her to be quiet.
But she couldn’t stop coughing. He placed a silver flask to her lips. “It will soothe your throat.”
She took a sip, believing in his warm blue-green eyes. She leaned back and he cradled her head in his hand.
“How did you get here?” she said, then her eyes caught on the blood staining his shirt beneath his jacket. “My God, you’re bleeding.”
“I’ll be fine. But we’ve got to get out of here.”
He sat her up and she burst into another coughing fit. The truck stopped.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered.
He put his index finger to his lips and faded into the shadows.
She lay back down, feigning unconsciousness.
“What in the bloody hell happened here?” Mickey accused. He grabbed her foot and dragged her out, leaning her against the truck. “Well?”
“How do I know?”
“Where’s the gag?”
“I spit it out. You twit, I could have choked to death. I have asthma.”
“Ah, stop your talking.” He pulled off a glove and balled it up.
“Mickey, please don’t, I’m serious. I can’t breathe with something in my mouth.”
“I’m tired of listening to ya’.”
“No!” she squirmed, trying to evade the gag. He shoved it into her mouth anyway. Her eyes watered and she struggled for air. Mickey cocked his head to the side as if he heard something inside the truck. He pulled out his handgun and took a few steps to investigate. Elizabeth grew light-headed.
“Come out of there!” Mickey ordered.
Elizabeth’s legs weakened. Breathe, have to breathe. Her legs gave way and she slid to the ground. Gunfire rang in her ears; the ground trembled. Stars danced across her vision. She was dying.
But instead of angels floating on clouds, she saw that handsome face again. Marcus removed the glove from her mouth. “You’re safe.”
Chills shot across her shoulders at his familiar words. He helped her to her feet and unlocked the handcuffs.
“You son of a bitch, what did you do to Mickey?” cried a second PCell agent. He must have been in the truck all along.
He fired at them and Marcus shoved Elizabeth to the ground, out of harm’s way. “I’m sorry,” he whispered against her ear. “But I can’t let them hurt you.”
In one quick movement, he cast a lightening bolt to the ground and the PCell agent catapulted backwards. Suddenly Marcus and Elizabeth were floating above the truck, away from danger.
Floating? More like flying. Mortals didn’t fly, paras did and only one type of demon could shoot lightening from his fingertips: an Ash Demon. And she’d just been both rescued and manipulated by one.
“No! Take me down!” She couldn’t stand being held by him, touched by him. To think she’d nearly…
No. That wasn’t her, it was a demon spell he’d cast on her mind.
They landed near the edge of the forest and she took off, back towards the truck.
“Elizabeth, they will hurt you again,” he called.
She ignored him, couldn’t stand the thought that she’d almost been with a demon, one of the very creatures she’d sworn to destroy so she could make her father proud.
She spotted Mickey in the distance. “Help me!” she cried.
Instead, he pointed his gun, his salt gun, at her. And fired.
Marcus plucked her from the earth and flew away from the PCell agents. Another bullet soared past her. She heard a third shot and Marcus jerked at the sound.
They landed in the rich, green forest and took cover beneath a weeping willow. Marcus held her against his chest as she shivered with fear. He was demon, a bad guy, yet the good guys were shooting at her. She couldn’t make sense of it, nor could she make sense of the fact that she felt safe in his arms.
“I saw them drop over here,” Mickey said in the distance.
“You’re a bad shot,” his partner accused.
“I won’t miss next time. Aim for the girl. The demon seems to be protecting her.”
“Shoot the old man’s daughter? He won’t like that.”
“Ah, if I were him I’d be relieved to be rid of her,” Mickey said.
The truth of his words pierced Elizabeth’s heart. Father probably wouldn’t care if she was accidentally killed because…
…Father didn’t love her. There, she finally admitted it. She whimpered against the demon’s jacket.
“Shhh. They can’t see us,” he assured her.
She wasn’t worried about the PCell goons finding them. She struggled with the painful truth in Mickey’s words. No, she’d prove him wrong, she’d prove that deep down Father cared for her, he just didn’t know how to show it.
Was it too much to ask to be loved?
“Face it, we’ve lost them, Mickey. That creature’s probably taken her to Scotland by now.”
“No, they’re out there.”
“C’mon. We’ve got to report back.”
Elizabeth peeked beyond her captor and saw Mickey and his partner get into the truck, hesitate, then drive off. In the far distance she could make out the demon’s cottage, smoke drifting up from the chimney.
“What do you want from me?” She pushed away from Marcus and his body went limp. He fell back against the soft earth.
“Demon?” she said, poking at his chest.
He coughed and gasped for breath. He must have been hit by one of Mickey’s salt bullets. Was he dying? No, demons didn’t die, did they? They just recycled or something. They weren’t like human beings, they didn’t even feel compassion or love.
Love? She had a thought. What better way to earn her father’s love than to present him with a captured demon?
She pulled out her mobile and pressed the speed dial. Marcus tore at his shirt, as if trying to get air. Why didn’t he teleport, or whatever they did, to the dark realm? Surely back in the dark realm in his demon form he wouldn’t die, right?
“Lizzy? Is that you?” her father’s voice squawked over her mobile.
“Father?” she said. “I’m here. I’ve captured a demon for you. Aren’t you proud of me?”
“Nonsense! Have you gone mad?” her father accused.
Sure, she had to be mad because in Father’s mind there was no way she was bright enough to capture a demon on her own. “I’m quite sane, Father. I’ve caught a demon for you. Little Lizzy, all by herself.”
That wasn’t the complete truth. She’d caught him by accident, because the demon Marcus had been trying to save her life. Why?
Her gaze caught on the medallion around his neck and she gasped. It was the same symbol she’d embroidered on her backpack for luck in tracking paras. She’d designed it herself. Hadn’t she?
“Give me your location and I’ll send a team,” her father ordered.
She barely heard him. She couldn’t rip her attention away from the medallion. It hit her like an express train at full speed: she’d first seen the Celtic-like symbol years ago when she was a teenager. She’d been terrified and alone, calling out for her father, for someone to rescue her, as the monster stood over her bed with those hideous eyes.
But no one came to help. Not her father, anyway. Just as the creature was about to do unspeakable things to Elizabeth someone shoved him aside and made him disappear. She had closed her eyes, her body shaking uncontrollably. Then she heard his calming voice, felt the strong, warm arms embrace her.
“You are safe,” the man had consoled. “Focus on my medallion. It represents peace.”
She’d stared at the metal charm and dug her fingers into the thick material of his jacket. As she steadied her breathing she felt a cocoon of strength wrap around her shoulders. She’d never felt more safe or more loved.
“Who are you?” she whispered, as she watched Marcus clutch his shirt with desperate fingers.
“Lizzy! Answer me!” her father ordered over the phone.
Instead, she ended the call and shoved the cell phone into her pocket. She eyed Marcus. “This can’t be. Demons are evil. You want to destroy humans.”
“No,” he gasped. “Want to protect…our kind just as you…want to protect yours. Is that—” he swallowed “—wrong?”
She had no answer. She’d been so focused on becoming a PCell agent, on hunting and destroying paras, especially demons, that she hadn’t given much thought to the fairness of the situation. Marcus coughed and writhed in pain. He looked more human, acted with more integrity than the PCell agents she had so admired. She went to him and stroked his forehead. “I don’t know what to do,” she whispered.
“Go,” he wheezed. “Get away before they…find you.”
He was more concerned about her safety than his own? “I won’t abandon you, Marcus.” Especially when she had so many unanswered questions. “Tell me how to help you.”
“Go, just go…and be safe.”
“What’s all this?” a woman’s voice asked.
Elizabeth jumped back, shielding Marcus’s body with her own, fearing what a mortal would do to this wounded demon.
“I’m Edwina.” The woman smiled. “What’s happened to your friend?”
“He’s been shot, I think.”
The woman wore a long, beige tunic, and colorful beads around her neck and wrists. She didn’t seem at all shocked by the situation.
“Maybe I can help.” Edwina kneeled beside Marcus.
“Are you a doctor?”
“I’m a healer. I live in an estate just north of here.” She pulled out a round, clear stone and slowly ran it up his torso to his forehead. Her brow furrowed. “We need to get him to the healing pond. Quickly.” She helped Marcus into a sitting position and encouraged Elizabeth to grab his other arm.
They helped him up and took a few steps. “Can’t…” he groaned and wavered.
“He’s got minutes before he’s gone,” Edwina said.
He’d die, or disappear, or whatever happened to a demon because he’d put himself in danger trying to save Elizabeth.
“Come on, Marcus. Don’t give up,” she said, guiding him forward. “Just a little farther. I know you can do it.”
He took another few steps.
“That’s it. We’re almost there,” she encouraged.
“Eliza-beth,” he gasped.
With a burst of adrenaline, she was able to get him to the edge of the water. He collapsed and Elizabeth made him comfortable by placing her rolled up jacket beneath his head. The healer dipped her hand into the green, murky water and it glowed like a firefly.
“My God,” Elizabeth said.
“Take off his shirt so I can access the wound.”
Elizabeth did as ordered and noticed a wound on his upper right arm. The skin burned as if doused with acid.
“It just grazed him,” Edwina said. “There’s still hope.”
Elizabeth found herself hoping with her whole heart that they could save this creature. It felt like the right thing to do. At least if he was pursued by PCell, Marcus would have a fighting chance of defending himself.
The healer chanted in an unfamiliar language, then splashed water onto his wound. “Argh!” Marcus cried, and went still.
Elizabeth grabbed his hand and brought it to her lips. She’d caused him pain and brought him near death because she’d been trying to prove something to her father, trying to earn his respect by hunting and helping to destroy demons.
Marcus didn’t seem like a vile, dangerous creature. If he was so ruthless why did he continue to protect her?
Because they had a connection. She’d felt it the moment she’d spotted him sprawled across the riverbank.
“It may take five or six hours before he’s completely healed,” Edwina said.
“You’re not afraid of him?” Elizabeth blurted out.
“Afraid? Why, because he’s different? I’m different. Do I frighten you?”
“No, but he’s demon.”
“And someone told you demons are horrific creatures, I suppose?”
Elizabeth nodded.
The healer smiled. “Life is a curious experience. One thing is certain, when you act from a place of fear, you’ll never see the truth.” She stood. “Keep him quiet until he’s able to fly. That’s the true test that he’s completely recovered.” She turned to walk away.
“You’re leaving?” Elizabeth said.
“I’m sorry, but I must.”
“I don’t even know where I am.”
“You’re in the enchanted forest of St. Yve Wood. Paras are everywhere, but they won’t bother you as long as you stay beside your demon friend.” She smiled and disappeared into the forest.
“Thank you,” Elizabeth called after her.
Marcus squeezed her hand. “Elizabeth.”
His blue-green eyes blinked open. “You’re still here,” he said, as if he’d expected her to abandon him.
She’d nearly done something far worse than that. She’d nearly turned him over to his enemies in this vulnerable state. That wasn’t like her. She wasn’t naturally cruel. Then again, she was a Burke.
“The cottage,” he whispered.
“You’re not strong enough.”
“If you wander off…you could get lost and…I could not protect you….” His voice trailed off and he passed out.
Once again, Elizabeth struggled with the paradox that it was more important for Marcus to protect her than heal himself.
“Don’t worry,” she whispered, bringing his hand to her lips. “I have no intention of leaving you.”
Marcus surfaced to consciousness and inhaled crisp, fresh air. He could breathe again. His lungs had opened; he must be on the mend. He remembered being hit by a salt bullet, touching down in the forest, holding Elizabeth in his arms.
I know you can do it.
Her voice echoed in his mind. He opened his eyes and was staring up at the lush green foliage of St. Yve Wood. Something pressed against his chest, a woman. He eyed the top of Elizabeth’s auburn hair. She nuzzled his chest, her steady breath warming his skin all the way to his fingertips. She felt so exquisite against him.
Yet she was his assignment, a means to an end.
No, not anymore. Something had shifted. Although he’d been sent to mastermind a way to destroy PCell by using the sweet Elizabeth, his integrity couldn’t rationalize being so cruel. Not to Elizabeth…his love.
He closed his eyes. Devil save him, he’d fallen into the mortal abyss called love. He hadn’t a choice in the matter and realized only now it had started ten years ago when he’d held her, comforted her and left a piece of himself with the girl.
She moaned and stroked his chest. He ached for her.
“Elizabeth,” he whispered.
“Marcus?” She sat up and looked at him. “How are you feeling?”
“Better. Are you…?” He wanted to ask if she was appalled at waking up beside a half-naked demon, but by the way she’d been touching him he suspected not.
“I’m fine. Confused, but fine.”
“We need to get back to the cottage.”
She reached out to help him up, but Marcus stood easily, brushing off his trousers and plucking his shirt from a nearby tree branch.
“Flying frightened you before, but it’s the quickest way.” He tucked in his shirt and reached for her.
She wrapped her arms around his waist and they took off, soaring above the enchanted forest as dawn was breaking over the English countryside. In seconds they were back at the cottage.
When they got inside, the magical fire was still burning, taking the chill out of the air.
“You must be hungry,” he said.
“Why do you do that?” She pinned him with those golden eyes of hers.
“Do what?”
“Care about my needs.”
“Why wouldn’t I care?”
“You’re demon. You’re supposed to be manipulative and cruel.”
“I’m Ash Demon.”
“Meaning what?” She stepped closer, studying him as if he was a bug under a microscope.
“As an Ash Demon I am vulnerable to certain mortal traits, like compassion.” He glanced at the fire. “And love.”
“Is that why you saved me, repeatedly?”
His gaze snapped up to study her. Did she remember?
“That was you, wasn’t it? You held me all night. You chased away the—” She paused. “Demon.”
“He was foolish and arrogant.”
“He was going to have sex with me.”
“Yes.”
“You protected me. Why?”
“I have no answer.”
“I do.” She kissed him on the cheek.
He gripped her arm, his control crumbling. “Elizabeth.”
“In your arms,” she whispered. “I felt safe and…loved.”
“This cannot happen. We are from two different worlds.”
“Different doesn’t mean bad.”
“Your mortal friends will hunt us down and kill us.”
“Then I will create a device to warn of their approach.”
She gazed into his eyes and he swallowed hard. This was like no spell he’d ever experienced.
“I am smart, regardless of what father thinks,” she said. “And I’m sensible. I know what’s right and it’s not right to hunt and destroy something simply because we don’t understand it.”
“You’re so…enchanting.”
“Kiss me,” she said.
“I—” He hesitated. “We shouldn’t.”
“Because your heart is taken?” Her pleading eyes searched his.
“No, there is no other woman. I lied about that.” He looked into her eyes. “The truth is, I was sent to seduce you and use your knowledge to help my kind destroy PCell. I’ve been using you, Elizabeth.”
“What were you using me for ten years ago when you protected me?”
He went to the window, looking out onto the evening mist. “I don’t know what compelled me to do that.”
She came up behind him, ran her hands across his shoulders and brought them around front to hold onto him. That knifing pain in his chest grew to an unbearable ache.
“I have never loved a man because I think my heart always belonged to you,” she said.
He turned abruptly, breaking her hold. “Do you hear what you’re saying? I’m demon. I’m meant to fight my tendency to feel love and compassion, not embrace it.”
“But your mortal side is honorable. That’s what made you protect me ten years ago.”
“And my demon side demands I do this.” He grabbed her shoulders and kissed her. Hard.
She squeaked, but didn’t push away. She pressed her body against him, her hands grabbing onto his shoulders, her hips shoving into him as if she were trying to mount him.
He broke the kiss and looked into her eyes. He no longer recognized the girl he’d first seen as a teenager. The woman in his arms was a sorceress igniting a desire he’d never felt with a female of his own race.
How could this be?
“I need you inside of me.” She breathed against his neck and unbuttoned his shirt, then his trousers.
“Elizabeth, are you sure?” He did not want her because she couldn’t resist his Ash Demon charm. But then what other reason could there be?
“You are too polite to be a demon,” she teased, pushing him against the sofa.
She nibbled at his neck, then lower, her tongue setting off an explosion in his chest. He grew hard with the heat of her breath against his skin.
He had to get control, regain his senses.
Weaving his fingers into her hair, he guided her lips up to meet his own. But the kiss wasn’t rough and desperate. There was tenderness about it, a need that blanketed his demon heart with warmth. She shoved his trousers and shorts down and off his hips, his heat desperate to take her.
Marcus floated their bodies above the sofa and turned them so he was on top, he was in control. He held her close as they drifted back down into the soft cushions, their lips not breaking contact. He undid her blouse, then her front-clasping bra. He cradled her breasts and a surge of heat rushed through her mouth into his.
As he massaged and stroked the wanting peaks, she unsnapped her jeans and slid them off, along with her panties, leaving nothing between them. He slid one hand down her side, around front to touch the spot that would send her flying without help from a demon.
She broke the kiss, struggling for breath. “Bloody hell, just do it already.”
The sound of her voice, the feel of her hands gripping his buttocks and pulling him close, destroyed all sense of thought and reason. He pulled her against him and joined their bodies, her warmth opening to him, enticing his need with such heat he thought they might burn to ash.
“Marcus!” she cried, thrusting, gripping, then kissing.
He gave her what she begged for and lost himself inside of her.
For one brief second, he wished to be human. He wished he could know the love of a mortal’s heart.
It must have been hours later when Elizabeth awakened, snuggled against her lover’s chest. Her demon lover.
When you act from a place of fear, you’ll never see the truth.
The healer’s words haunted Elizabeth. Up to this point she’d been motivated by fear: fear of paras, fear of not earning Father’s respect, fear of never being loved.
From this vantage point it was perfectly clear that her father was motivated by fear and power. If that was what being a Burke meant, she’d just as soon change her name.
She didn’t know what the future held for her and Marcus, but she knew they were meant to be together. She’d known this since that night ten years ago when he’d saved her. She’d suppressed that memory to keep from reliving the horror, but she was no longer afraid, not with Marcus by her side.
She had to get started on designing the protective device to keep Marcus safe. She edged out from beneath the wool blanket, got dressed and went to her car where she kept extra supplies in case her equipment broke in the field. Although her backpack of instruments had been completely destroyed, she found bits of fuses, wire and crystals in her trunk that she’d use to create a warning transmitter that would alert Marcus when a blaster was being aimed at him.
“Well, hello, lovely.”
She turned just as Mickey shoved her to the ground. “Don’t suppose you want to tell us where your friend is hiding?”
“What friend?”
He crouched down and smiled. “Now she plays dumb.”
She glanced over his shoulder. The cottage had disappeared. What in the blazes was that about?
“Elizabeth Burke!” her father called.
Mickey stood. “Over here, sir.”
Father marched up to her, his eyes flaring. “Well? Where is the demon?”
He didn’t ask if she’d been hurt, or traumatized.
“I’m…I’m not sure,” she said.
With his typical disapproving frown he said, “Silly girl.”
“Oh, don’t worry, sir, he’ll turn up.” With a firm grip to her upper arm, Mickey pulled Elizabeth to her feet. “He has a thing for your daughter.”
“Let go of her,” Marcus said, appearing out of the mist.
“Bastard.” Mickey aimed his salt blaster at Marcus.
Elizabeth had but a millisecond to save her lover’s life.
She shoved Mickey as the blaster went off. “Don’t be a fool,” she cried. “Father, think of what you can learn from studying this demon, his vulnerabilities and his weaknesses.”
She didn’t dare look at Marcus for fear he would believe her lies.
Gripping the lapel of her father’s suit coat she said, “I can control him. You can take him back to the lab for research. This is even better than destroying him.”
Father’s eyes glowed with delight. “My child, you’ve finally proven your worth. You can control him?”
“Yes.”
“Show me.”
Marcus finally understood why his kind was taught from the first day of existence to reject their mortal tendencies. The emotion called love would not allow him to fight back. This girl had forever dreamed of earning her father’s love, and Marcus could grant her wish by surrendering himself.
Elizabeth approached him, her eyes pleading. He would not resist her. How could he? She’d captured his heart; she owned his soul.
“Marcus.” She walked up to him, placing her hand to his cheek. Heat lightening shot across his body.
“You need to come with us.” She leaned close. “Get away, fly out of here. Now,” she whispered.
But he could not leave, could not deny her the love of her father.
He looked at Edmund Burke. “I am your prisoner.”
“Marcus?” Elizabeth asked, confused.
He ignored her. “I will come willingly.” He walked toward her father.
The man took a step back. “If you’re sincere, you won’t mind wearing this armband against your skin.”
“What is it?” she questioned.
“Something I’ve created that neutralizes creatures of the dark realm,” her father said.
“You don’t need to use that,” Elizabeth argued.
“I admire your confidence, Elizabeth, but I’m a realist.”
“I will wear it,” Marcus agreed.
He rolled up his sleeve and her father placed it against his skin. “Put him in the truck,” he ordered Mickey.
Marcus glanced at Elizabeth and smiled. She shook her head in her silent plea for him to escape.
But he’d made his choice. He was led to the truck and shoved inside. His vision started to blur.
“Why don’t we shoot him and be done with it?” Mickey asked.
“No, don’t you hurt him,” Elizabeth said.
Marcus took comfort in the fact that she cared, that maybe his wasn’t a wasted death. He’d shown her what it felt like to be loved, and now she finally had the respect and love of her father.
“Calm yourself, child,” her father consoled with an arm around her shoulder. “Father’s in charge now. I’m so proud of you.”
He kissed the top of her head as Mickey closed the truck door.
“Goodbye, my love,” Marcus whispered, and drifted into the abyss. He knew the armband would kill him, yet what mattered was that he’d given Elizabeth the gift she’d wanted most: her father’s love.
“Marcus, can you hear me?”
The soft voice cut through the fog and touched his heart. “Elizabeth?” Did he speak or simply think her name? Was he…nonexistent?
Warm, moist lips brushed against his own and he ached, only this time he ached for what he’d given up.
“You need to open your eyes, Marcus,” she whispered. “Open your eyes so we can get out of here.”
He blinked and found himself staring into his love’s sparkling, golden eyes.
“Elizabeth, but…”
“Father’s gone. We need to get out of here.”
“You will betray your father, give up his love?”
“Marcus.” She stroked his forehead. “If the only way to earn his love is to go against what I believe in, well, I don’t want any part of conditional love like that. Besides, your love is what’s most important. Come on, we have to go.”
“The armband…“
“I replaced it two days ago with one of my own, complete with a healing compound.” She smiled, and he instantly felt better. But not strong enough to fly. Not yet.
“Elizabeth?” Her father stood in the doorway, flanked by two guards.
Elizabeth turned to him. Marcus was completely helpless to defend her.
“Hello, Father.”
“What are you doing?”
“We’re leaving.”
“I should have anticipated this.” He motioned to his guards.
They started toward her and Elizabeth aimed a four-inch, metal tube at them that emitted a low hum. They guards froze.
“Get them,” Burke ordered.
“Can’t move,” one of the guards said.
“What do you mean?” Burke took a step forward, and then he, too, was frozen. “What is this?”
“Your silly daughter has created a device to temporarily paralyze the enemy so we can leave without incident. I don’t want to hurt you, Father.”
“Hurt me? You disappoint me so, child. How could you betray me like this?”
Marcus felt her blood pressure spike through the touch she had on his arm.
“You betrayed me my entire life, Father. You never loved me.”
“I did my best to love you, considering you were spawned by demon seed.”
“What?” she gasped.
“One of these hideous creatures,” her father motioned to Marcus, “visited your mother while I was away. She was easily seduced by his charm as, I see, you have been.”
“That’s why you never loved me,” she said.
Marcus touched her shoulder, wishing he could ease her pain.
“And this creature, you think he loves you?” Burke said. “If you believe that, you’re a complete fool.”
“No.” She looked at Marcus, then back at her father. “I’ve been a fool to want your love so desperately that I’d betray my own integrity. Demons, paras, are different but they’re not all bad. But then—” she hesitated as they passed him. “You’ll never understand that because you’re motivated by fear. I’m sorry for you, Father. I’m out of your life now. You no longer have to worry about me.”
She shoved the paralyzing device into a holster on her belt. “We have two minutes before they’re mobile. I don’t suppose you can fly?” she said as they climbed the cellar stairs.
“Not quite, my love.”
“No problem.” She led him outside onto the Burke Estate grounds.
Was she devastated by the news of a demon being her real father? “Elizabeth, about your father…” Marcus said.
“It makes sense, actually.” She glanced at him. “I always felt different. But then, different is okay.”
He wanted to take her in his arms and kiss her, but there was no time.
“Over there.” She pointed to a machine in the distance. “Flying helicopters is a hobby of mine. Wait a second, if my true father was a demon, can I fly?”
“Powers are only passed to male children.”
“Well, that’s sexist, isn’t it?”
He admired the strength of this woman to be able to quip at a time like this, when her life had been rattled to the core.
As she grabbed his hand and urged him forward, he felt his balance and strength return. The poison must be completely out of his system. Or was it the love surging through her touch that fueled him?
“Your father will not stop until he destroys us.”
“His choice. I’ve made mine.”
She smiled. The slicing pain in his chest eased, as if something had healed inside.
They strapped themselves into the flying machine and took off, hovering above the property. Her father and the guards raced out onto the grounds below.
“Good bye,” she hesitated. “Father.”
Suddenly the machine rocked with the assault of a PCell weapon.
“Bugger, Mickey got us!” she cried, flying away from the estate, the machine sputtering in protest.
Another blast jarred the helicopter. “Mickey’s not giving up!”
Neither was Marcus. “Turn around and aim for the bastard!”
“What? Are you mad?”
He placed his hand to hers as she gripped the steering device. “Trust me.”
She nodded, and started back toward Mickey. The PCell agent was reloading his weapon. Marcus unbuckled his seatbelt and Elizabeth’s. “What are you doing?” she cried.
Mickey snapped around and aimed his weapon.
Marcus grabbed Elizabeth by the waist, kicked open his door and flew away from the machine as it exploded into pieces. He aimed for St. Yve Wood and spotted his cottage in the distance. Elizabeth wrapped herself around him, her breath warming his neck, making him want her.
He descended near the cottage, but suddenly weakened. They dropped to the moist earth beside the riverbank where they had met only days ago.
“A little rough on the landing, wouldn’t you say?” she said, sitting up.
“Are you hurt?” He touched her cheek.
“On the contrary.” She winked and shot him a smile that lit his demon heart.
“Are you flirting with me?” he said.
“If that’s what it takes.”
He stood and pulled her to her feet. “It won’t take much, Elizabeth. My heart is yours. And so is my cottage.”
She sighed. “I’ve always wanted to live in the country.”
And she kissed him.
The End