Page 42 of Knight’s Dominion

“We also bring them back here to be interrogated. I’m not sure you know this, but Zenon is Hell born, that’s how we know not all demons want to cause harm, some just want to live in peace.”

“Hell born?” she choked.

“We only learned he existed when he stepped through the portal.” Chaos didn’t go into details, it was Zenon’s story to tell, but he wanted Grace to understand why they didn’t kill every demon who left Hell. “It used to be a lot harder to decide, which was why many didn’t get a pass, but now that we have Eve, we can easily learn their motives for wanting sanctuary.”

“What can she do?”

“Read people’s thoughts. Her power’s grown a lot since she mated with Laz, though. She can block it out now, easily, thank fuck. Only listens to people when she has to. But she can do a lot more than that. I’ve seen her pull information from someone, riffle through their brain like a filing cabinet to get what we need.”

Grace was quiet for several long seconds.

“Grace?”

"Can you get off me."

Something had upset her, he could hear it in her voice.

"Now. Get the hell off me."

Like fuck. "What’s going on? You didn't know, now you do. Why are you freaking out?”

She struggled, her breath sawing in and out of her chest. "I said…Get. Off. Me.”

Her thrashing increased, but this wasn't just anger, this was something else altogether, this was panic, fear. "Calm down, you're going to hurt yourself."

"You're lying. You're a damn liar. I don't believe you." Then she reached back and scratched at his arm.

Before he knew what he was about to do, he lifted his hand and brought it down on her ass. Hard. The smack of his palm against the thin fabric of his shirt covering her rounded cheeks was loud and rang out in the now quiet room.

She stilled instantly and twisted to look at him, eyes blazing with fury, but there was heat there as well. “You did not just spank me.”

“You were throwing a tantrum.” The scent of her need hit him hard, low in the gut.

She gritted her teeth. "Get off me.”

Something had her spooked. If fighting with him helped her deal with whatever it was, he’d give her what she needed. For now.

He raised a brow.

“Please.”

He eased off the bed, not bothering to hide his massive erection. Why would he? When a male found his mate, fucking her, being ready to fuck her, was part of the M.O. Her gaze dropped to his dick and she sucked in a breath, followed by a whole lot more of her intoxicating scent filling the small room, driving him insane.

He bit back a vicious curse, suddenly frustrated and angry with himself for how he’d fucked all of this up so badly. He adjusted his dick before his jeans cut off his blood supply. “It’s how I’m hardwired. I know who you are. My demon knows who you are, we can feel it. Making you our mate includes fucking, and right now, we want to fuck you. That’s not going to change. So either ignore it, or give in to it.”

“I don’t want you,” she hissed. “I will never give you that.”

He had no idea where the animosity had suddenly come from. He’d thought things between them would improve after admitting she was a skilled fighter, after asking for her help. After saving her life. Apparently not.

His anger and frustration shot higher. “I can smell how much you want me, Grace. Lying is pointless.”

Her eyes hardened, fire blazing from their depths. “I’m out of here.”

“You’re giving up immortality, you realize that?” A pathetic last-ditch effort, but he was that desperate. If immortality was the only reason she’d accept him, he’d take it.

She laughed. It was bitter, humorless. “I’m sorry, but playing house with you for eternity does not sweeten the deal, Chaos.”

In other words, she’d rather be dead than with him. Awesome. He drew in several steadying breaths and motioned to her thigh. “I’ve cleaned your wounds, but you need them properly dressed to stop infection."