Page 73 of Indecent

“I don’t know,” Chaol said. “It didn’t even cross my mind to hunt you down for a while after that. But the more I dwelled on it, the angrier I got. Amon was—the last of my clan.” He hesitated over the words, remembering the way Talon had called it a flock. But there was no sign of that mockery here, so Chaol went on. “We hadn’t seen each other in a while, but I thought we were still loyal to one another. Why the hell were two leviathans killing demons on the surface? Why Amon? I didn’t know, and I wanted to find out. I wanted to make you pay. I didn’t count on Daniel showing up in Purgatory on my way out of Hell. I didn’t count on him knowing you—I didn’t count on caring about him.”

“We didn’t want to get involved,” Talon told him softly. “For whatever that’s worth. Storm and Nathan, their relationship was still very new. Nathan hadn’t decided to leave the guild yet—as far as I know, at least. He was there when the attack happened, and Storm would have rushed in alone if we’d refused to help. But our humans, they couldn’t sit by and watch people die. They insisted there were good people behind the wall, not just Sloan’s extremists. They wanted to go and help, if they could. That’s why such a divide formed in the guild in the first place. Our humans are genuinely good, and they wanted to help even though the guild saw them as enemies. That didn’t matter to them. Innocent people would die, so they had to go. And because they’re our humans, we had to go, too. I didn’t enjoy killing a kalmach. I’d never known your kind to be so aggressive.”

“We aren’t,” Chaol rasped. “Not really. We used to keep to ourselves. He only did those things because Lilith wanted him to.”

“Lilith was a whole other issue, it’s true.”

“She was just as much to blame; I know that.” Not that it mattered, really. She was long gone. With a sigh, he straightened, drained his coffee, and set the empty mug in the sink. “Look, we’re probably never going to be BFFs, leviathan, but I can admit my anger toward you and Shadrach was somewhat misplaced.”

“Somewhat,” Talon repeated, looking like he was fighting a smile.

“Yes,” Chaol said magnanimously. “You were somehow fighting for the greater good, and in doing so, you made it possible for me to meet Daniel. Ultimately, Amon’s choices were the reason that he died. I may not like you, but I know that, at least. So, we’re good. You have nothing to worry about from me. And—thank you for not leaving me behind with Ramiel when you were grabbing everyone to bring here.”

“I cannot confirm or deny whether it crossed my mind,” Talon said neutrally. “But I know better than to get on a harbinger’s bad side.”

Chaol clucked his tongue in amusement. “Ah, Daniel’s love for me prevails once again.”

Talon barked out a laugh. “You’re not bad, kalmach.”

“Go fuck yourself, leviathan.” It lacked heat, and Chaol walked away smiling, with Talon’s warm chuckle trailing after him.

Halfway up the stairs, a pair of glowing eyes at the top caught his attention.

“How long were you spying on us, darkling?” he asked, slipping his arms around Daniel’s naked waist. He was still clad in nothing but boxer briefs.

“Not quite the whole time,” Daniel admitted. “I do, you know.”

“Do what?”

“Love you.”

Chaol smiled, backing Daniel against the wall. “Good. You better love me. I might be very upset if you said you didn’t.”

“Can’t have that,” Daniel breathed.

Chaol kissed him, deep and slow.

“Get a room!” Talon called up from downstairs.

Chaol broke away from Daniel’s mouth. “I still hate him a little bit.”

Daniel snorted. “Right now, so do I. Come on. I can’t sleep without you.”

He threaded their fingers together, pulling Chaol after him.

“Anything you say, darkling.”

Chapter 22

Daniel

Daniel slept like the dead, no pun intended, and when he woke, he could tell it was late evening by the dim glow of the sunlight around the edge of the blackout curtains that covered the big windows. He was sprawled across Chaol’s chest—drooling on him, in fact. Their legs were tangled together, and one of Chaol’s hands combed absently through his hair. Daniel stretched like a lazy cat, sliding up Chaol’s body to kiss him.

“Morning, darkling,” he murmured, dark eyes alight with fondness.

“Morning. This might be the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Think Talon would let us stay here forever?”

“Maybe. I think he’s a little wary of you. He said something last night about not wanting to get on your bad side.” He chuckled.