Page 35 of A Bond So Deadly

Eventually the illusions stop coming and there are only two left. Nate clamps his teeth onto a Xalgrith that was charging at Raith. The jaguar shifter still has the warrior in his mouth, when the last illusion attacks, going for Nate’s side. Raith lifts his sword, driving his blade into the Xalgrith’s throat, but Nate swivels his head, accidentally knocking Raith to the ground.

And then the Xalgrith illusions are gone.

Nate changes back into his more human form, and he’s completely naked as he strides over to where Raith is on the ground. Grinning, Nate offers his hand. “Sorry ‘bout that last one. Not bad. Not bad at all, brother.”

Raith eyes his outstretched hand, and his lips twitch before he grabs it, letting Nate hoist him to his feet.

“Oh my gosh, they’re bonding!” I squeal, jumping to my feet, because in a few seconds flat, I’ve gone from worrying about my mate to thinking this is the cutest thing I’ve ever seen. Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.

Raith shakes his head at me, but both men are still grinning.

I give Blake a look, plopping back onto my seat. “You knew this was going to happen, didn’t you? You could have told me.”

My bestie smiles. “I had my suspicions. If we’re going to win this war the demons are not only going to have to learn to fight a strange enemy, but we’re going to have to learn to do it together.”

Still beaming, I peer back at the warriors in the arena. Ambrose and Germain are the only ones who don’t seem enthused about Nate and Raith’s newfound friendship. I knew they’d be besties in no time.

“All right,” Thane says to the demon commanders. “Who’s next?”

Chapter Twelve

~ Galen ~

Fatigue drags at me as we finish our lunch in our private living room. The demons had wanted to dine with us, but I needed a moment. Thankfully, Thane understood this without me needing to explain.

After spending the morning creating illusions to demonstrate the power of the Xalgrith, I need time to rebuild my energy. And I know just the place that will help to do the trick.

“So, it’s mental training this afternoon, huh?” Shade says, putting her plate on the coffee table. “I guess we’d better get going.”

Thane lifts to his feet, and Raith and Knox do the same. Shade goes to stand as well, but Thane shakes his head. “Not you.”

She gives him a questioning look. “But you told the demons to report to the auditorium after lunch?”

“Yes, the demon queen, kings, and their commanders will be undertaking mental training with the rest of the students,” Thane replies.

She frowns. “But…I won’t be?”

Thane stares at me as if it’s his way of answering her, and I let my shadows lick along her skin, drawing her attention to me.

“We’ll be busy elsewhere, treasure,” I say.

Her expression flattens. “If your plans involve more physical training for me, I’m going to slap you.”

I laugh softly. “Don’t worry, I promise we’ll be doing something much more interesting than sitting in on Professor Lankin’s class.”

She doesn’t look convinced, but she settles against me.

Raith rubs the back of his neck. “Yeah, ‘bout that. You sure I can’t skip as well?”

Shadows swirl in front of Thane as he creates a pathway. “We need to maintain our presence and ensure the demons are receiving the appropriate instruction.”

Raith scowls. “So that’s a ‘no’ then?”

Not giving him an answer, Thane looks at me one last time before disappearing into the pathway. Knox follows after him, and Raith reluctantly does as well. When they’re gone, I pull Shade to her feet and create my own pathway.

Shade checks her creature’s egg is still secure in the sling across her chest, and we walk the pathway in silence until we exit into my office, but I don’t stop there. Moving toward the bookshelf behind my desk, I reach out with my power, and the shelves dissolve into layers of shadow until there’s an opening revealing a narrow staircase. Torches flame to life on the stone walls that lead downward, activated by my presence and illuminating the darkened passageway.

“Well, that is…” Shade trails off.