Darkyn's Mate

"Humans are emotional," she said.

"It's a weakness I exploit."

She frowned.

"Do you really kill five people a day to feed?" she asked, a streak of raw fear going through her. She couldn't fathom the amount of pain he had caused over his lifetime.

"Sometimes more." He nuzzled her neck again. "Now I'll only need you."

She was comfortable in bed with him - yet silently panicking as well. Deidre didn't understand how to balance the two sensations, the physical need that made her want to drink more of him and beg him to make love to her again, and the inability to believe her fate was at the side of the Dark One. She was saving lives, yes, but she wished there was a different way to do it.

She sought a safer topic, one that wouldn't leave her ready to scream.

"I found Zamon yesterday, before uh, the incident with the other demons," she said.

"You do not find Zamon. He lures you to him."

"Hmm," she said, troubled. "He's not out to eat me, is he?"

"No. He asked me if he should be talking to you."

"And you said …"

"You're the mate of the Dark One. You can do whatever the fuck you want."

His irritated honesty startled her enough that she started to laugh. The sound surprised her after the intensity of their interactions. She choked it back quickly, appalled she was able to find humor at such a time.

"The only thing he can't do is teach you to deal. I alone will do that," he added.

"You're not afraid I'll learn something to break the bonds?" she asked.

Darkyn pushed her far enough to meet her gaze.

"You're mine. There's no going back."

At the reminder, she looked away, uncertain how to handle her newest foray into the weirdness that was the Immortal world.

"The taste of a human and the stamina of a demon. I want to fuck you like this every night," Darkyn said and nipped her neck.

"You only have a week," she retorted.

"That reminds me. Someone lost a bet," he said.

She shook her head, emotions stirring one more.

"You lost the deal." He gripped her chin and forced her to meet his gaze. Cold and merciless, this creature was her mate for all time. The brutal reality was that he'd double-bound her to ensure he didn't lose - and not because any part of him was capable of affection. She was stuck with the creature behind the evil in the world.

There was no going back.

"Look at me." His tongue flicked out to taste her tears. "Say the words."