“That’s what everyone keeps saying, but I’m not. Whatever the case, it’s not relevant. The fact of the matter is, I summoned Mist, and Paimon sensed my magic or whatever, since it was within her realm—I still don’t really understand how that works—and now she thinks we’re these prophesied twins that this demon Valefor has been hunting, and she’s after—”
“Valefor?”
“Yeah. That’s the part I hadn’t got to yet. Apparently, Mist thinks Valefor killed our parents and their coven with the fire. Not arsonists.”
Silence.
“Iris?”
More silence.
“Iris? Do you know something about this? Is there something you’re not telling me?”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes. Text me the address.”
“Iris! What—”
She hung up.
Lily lowered the phone and stared at it, a chill creeping up her spine. Every instinct she possessed told her Iris knew about Valefor and the fire. But if that was the case, why hadn’t her sister told her? Surely Iris wouldn’t be so cruel as to lie about their parents’ deaths for nearly a decade?
The door opened, and Mist’s towering form filled the frame.
“Mist.” She leapt to her feet. She had so much she wanted to say suddenly, and yet the words stuck in her throat.
It didn’t matter, anyway. A moment later, he was across the room, kicking the door shut behind him, and burying his claws in her hair as he took her mouth in a passionate kiss.
“My Lily,” he murmured, pushing her back onto the bed. “Mine.”
She melted for him instantly. “And you’re mine.”
They tore at each other’s clothing madly until there was nothing but skin on skin. Dark gray skin on pale pink skin. A demon and a witch. The most unlikely of allies, which made what they had all the more precious.
Sprawled on her back, she cried out as he pressed her legs open and thrummed his tail tip against her clit. She saw his hand shift to human form as he reached down and penetrated her with one finger… two… three…
“Mist!” The stretch hurt, especially after their first round of lovemaking only hours ago, but knowing what awaited her made her ache with pleasure instead of pain. Looming above her, his tongue swirled around her mouth while he stimulated her with his tail and spread her with his fingers. When she climaxed, he covered her lips with his and swallowed her cries.
He didn’t waste a second. While she was still shaking from release, he aligned their bodies and slowly penetrated her. “Oh, god, Mist—”
He stilled at her gasp, body shaking with tension. “Hurts?”
“A little.”
He started to pull out.
“No.” She gripped his arms. “Hurts a little, but I want you. I don’t care.”
“Lily…”
“Just go slow. We’re made for each other, remember?”
Their gazes met, and even then, in the midst of their passion, she could see the tightening around the corners of his eyes and something clouding his focus. He felt miles away from her, when before she’d seen straight to his soul.
The distance gutted her. She needed that closeness back. She needed to know she wasn’t losing him.
“More, Mist.”
He pushed deeper, slowly enough to give her time to adjust. And she did, though she knew she would hurt later. It didn’t matter. This was worth it.
