Jaded [The Moonlight Breed 9] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic ManLove) by Gabrielle Evans (best free novels txt) 📕

“Oh?” He loved that playful smirk, and he couldn’t wait to get his mouth on those kissable lips. “What do you get?”

“You’re insane. I don’t know why I didn’t see it before.”

“Come here, brat.” Wrestling his mate into his arms, he crushed their mouths together and kissed the breath from him. “It doesn’t matter if you can’t see it. I do, and that’s enough.” Then he patted Zuriel’s backside to urge him to his feet. “You need to eat before you get a headache.”

It didn’t matter if Zuriel wasn’t ready to repeat the words. It didn’t even matter if he didn’t feel the same way. He was still there and still trying, and that was all Spiro could ask from him.

“Wait, we’re not finished here,” Zuriel demanded. “You don’t just get to say something like that and then tell me I need a sandwich. What the hell is wrong with you?”

“My apologies, lirimaer.” He dipped his head respectfully, but it was mostly to hide his grin. The fox was a lit firecracker when his temper flared. “Please continue.”

“Well…” He trailed off, rolled his eyes, and huffed. “I don’t have some long-winded declaration or gooey sweet words to make you melt.”

“I don’t need them.”

“Would you be quiet?” Sucking in a deep breath, Zuriel let it out slowly through his nose, grabbed Spiro’s face, and looked right into his eyes. “I love you. That’s the only way I know how to say it, and I hope it’s enough.”

Spiro’s heart skipped a beat and then picked up in rhythm while he fought the urge to tackle his mate to the floor and have his wicked way with him. Gods, no one had any right to be as happy as he felt right then. It just wasn’t natural, but he’d get used to it.

“I think that was perfect.”

“Okay.” Zuriel nodded once. “Now, I really am hungry. Let’s talk about that sandwich.”

* * * *

For the rest of the day, Zuriel felt like he was walking on a cloud. He also felt kind of bad about that considering two people had died, but he decided to cut himself some slack. Spiro loved him. He’d never thought he’d hear those words from anyone other than his twin.

The best part about it was that he actually believed it. Spiro knew everything about him that was important and a whole lot of things that weren’t. Still, he loved him. His admission had been honest and heartfelt and so completely Spiro with all of those sweet words.

“Oh, someone looks happy,” Jacobi teased when he walked into the shifter’s room. “The doc must be treating you right.”

“I love him,” Zuriel announced proudly. He’d been dying to tell someone, and while Zavion would have been his first choice, his brother wasn’t there.

“I know.” That was all he said, but the smile and wink was a nice touch. “It’s about time, too.”

“What’s about time?” Aspen bounced into the room with a happy smile. “Never mind.” Floating over to Zuriel, he gave him a tight squeeze and a quick peck on the cheek. “Congratulations, love. You two are a good match.”

Sometimes, he swore Aspen shared his gift and could read minds. They had become closer since arriving on the island, and Zuriel no longer felt uncomfortable with asking about Aspen’s abilities. “How do you do that?”

“I’m just observant, and you have the look of love. You wear it well by the way.”

Zuriel didn’t think that was completely accurate, but everyone was entitled to their secrets. Even if he’d wanted to argue, he wouldn’t have had the chance. The door burst open, and Mihail came tripping inside with Nikola right on his heels. “We found something.”

Grabbing Mihail’s wrist, Zuriel pulled him through the suite to the small table in the corner and shoved him into a chair. “Spill.” While he’d been facing his past and confessing his feelings, his friends had been on the mainland, still searching for information. “What did you get?”

“Well, we called Xander, and he was able to get us a copy of The Council registry.” Nikola was still panting for breath as he tried to explain. “Now, the townspeople on this island aren’t in the registry, but you have to hear this.”

“See these numbers?” Mihail jabbed his finger at a group of numbers listed beside each name on the list. “These correspond with the type of paranormal and how each is classed.” He held up another sheet of paper and waved it around. “These are descriptions of the different types and classes.”

“Okay, so what does that mean?” He was trying to be patient, but it seemed like they’d been waiting forever to get some kind of answers.

“Arsidian Demons,” Mihail read from the sheet of paper in front of him. “They’re class-four preternaturals, the most deadly of any paranormals. They inject venom into their victims through their claws and teeth, paralyzing the central nervous system and poisoning the blood. Their bite is fatal to humans ten times out of ten.”

“Oh, my gods,” Zuriel murmured. Why had he never heard about these monsters? The goblin attack had been shocking enough, but from the sounds of it, these Arsidians were a hundred times worse. “What else?”

“They’re soulless. They survive by leeching the souls from others. The more powerful the being, the stronger the demon becomes.”

“I admit that sounds disgusting,” Jacobi interrupted. “What does that have to do with what’s happening here, though?”

Zuriel was just wondering the same thing. “There aren’t any demons here.” A few shifters, a lot of elves, but there weren’t any demons on the island other than Aspen. He felt confident that his friend definitely hadn’t caused the devastation.

“Wait,” Nikola warned with a smile. “There’s more. See, this obviously isn’t a full registry. That thing’s like a damn book.”

“And?”

“We gave Xander a list of possible suspects, and the names of the guards for good measure since this started here in the palace.” Running a finger over the paper, Mihail stopped at a name about