Logan's Rattler by A. Jarrett (best books for 20 year olds txt) 📕

“Some are, yes, but not all.” Finn thought for a moment on how best to explain it to his mate. “It’s like with humans. There’s a choice on whether or not they go bad. Some kill other people, steal things, and just break the law in general. Same goes for the paranormal world. Evil comes in every shape and form, but ultimately it’s a choice. I know a lot of witches who are the salt of the earth and wouldn’t hurt you to save their own life, but for every good one there seems to be a bad one.” Finn wrapped his arms around Logan’s narrow waist and pulled him closer.

“But don’t you worry your pretty little head about it,” Finn said with a smirk playing on his lips. “I’ll keep you safe.”

“Oh really.” Logan made a big display of rolling his eyes. “I need my snake man to protect me from the evils of the world, now do I?”

The smile on Finn’s face faded. “I hate to say it but you do.

Unless”—he held up a finger—“you allow us to exchange blood and you can become like me.”

Logan’s Rattler

65

Logan’s brow scrunched up as he thought about what Finn just offered. “I thought we already did that? When we mated we shared blood. Doesn’t that count?”

Finn had to give it to his mate, he was a thinker. “Technically yes, but the transformation needs to take effect from a bite. I’ve already bitten you, you just have to bite me hard enough to draw blood and drink from me.” Finn could see by the look on Logan’s face, he was about to be bombarded with questions.

“Bite you? Drink your blood? But you’re not a vampire.” Logan shook his head from side to side.

“It has to be drinking of the blood by mouth so your body absorbs my shifter DNA. It’s the only way to pass on the shifter gene,” Finn explained.

“I’m not sure I’m quite ready for that. And I’m not sure I want to be a snake.”

“Logan, you don’t have to decide today. I just want you to know all your options now that we’ve become mates.” Finn dropped his eyes to stare at a nonexistent piece of lint on his mate’s shirt. “If you become a snake shifter like me, you will be stronger, faster than you are now. We together become stronger. It would harder for others to kill us.”

“Hold up a fucking minute.” Logan grabbed Finn’s face between his hands, forcing him to look up. “Why would people want to kill us?

I’m a good person, and from what I’ve seen of you you’re a good man. Why in heaven’s name would we have to worry about being killed?”

“Because I’m a Warrior of the Light. I protect those who can’t protect themselves. And with that comes risks.” Finn smoothed his fingertip over the crease on Logan’s brow. He didn’t want to burden the man he had come to love with worries of a war he had no part in starting.

“So being with you could be dangerous?”

66

AJ Jarrett

“Yes.” Finn nodded his head. So much sadness bled through that one word that Finn’s chest ached with the thought of Logan turning his back on him and never looking back. Because who would voluntarily be with someone that could ultimately result in their death?

“Hey, don’t look like that. I’m not leaving you. I hate the fact that you could be harmed or even killed. But I can’t imagine living a life without you. I love you, Finn, and all this crazy shit you just told me will not change my mind.” Logan tilted his head to the side and leaned toward him. “And once I’ve made up my mind on something, there’s no changing it, mister.”

Finn met Logan halfway and kissed his inviting lips. Just as Logan began to tease the seam of his mouth, wanting entrance, Finn pulled back. “So you want to be like me? I mean, become a snake shifter?”

Logan laid his head on Finn’s shoulder and rubbed his forehead into the crease of his shoulder. “I think one day I will but I’d like to hold off on doing that just yet.” Logan sat up and looked into Finn’s eyes. “Is that okay?”

“Yes, it’s more than okay. It’s only natural to give