Dark Awakening Read Online Free PDF Page B

possibility. His mother had found a human vishtau mate after the death of his father. His sister's mate was half demon, another proof of vishtau bond between the species. And he'd heard of others of mixed blood, but he hadn't thought he'd be one of those with a mate outside Orcus.
    Maybe it was the Mahsei side of his nature, but to a large degree, Nic believed in going with the flow. He'd met Kimi, felt their bond, and developed new dreams. She'd been one of the reasons he'd chosen to stay in the Overworld. Since she couldn't live in his home, it was up to him to learn to fit into hers.
    He said none of this, though. If Kimi were skittish—and he couldn't blame her if she was—it was up to him to win her, not scare her further.
    "When I probed your memories," he said, getting back to what was crucial, "there was a part that wasn't clear. You held up your hand and Augustin was knocked to the floor?"
    Kimi nodded, the motion making her dark hair slide in front of her shoulders again. It was long enough to fall below her breasts and Nic found himself distracted, picturing only her tresses hiding her naked body from his gaze. He fought it off.
    "I don't know what occurred, not exactly," she said, and he dragged his attention back to her face. "All I remember is being furious, so enraged that my fear was gone. I put my hand up and boom! That lightning or whatever it was came out and he dropped to the floor. I'm not sure how it happened."
    Nic frowned, trying to come up with an explanation for what she'd done. If Kimi were a demon from one of the stronger branches, it would be simple, but she was human—there was no question about her heritage. "And that was the first time you've experienced anything like this?"
    "Yeah. Why are you so interested in that?"
    "Because if I die," Nic said grimly, "you'll have to fight Augustin alone. I want you to be able to defend yourself."
    "What you mean, if you die?" Kimi demanded.
    "It'll be a battle to the death, tes. Do not doubt it."
    She strode toward him, and if he hadn't stood his ground, he felt sure she would have backed him against the wall. "Listen up, Nicodemus," she said, and poked a finger into his chest. "I didn't call you forward to get killed. I called you forward to kick some ass. Are we clear?"
    "And I'll do my best, for only with Augustin's death will you be safe, but you need to understand that he is Bak-Faru and stronger than I am."
    "I've been told you're dangerous."
    Nic flattened her hand against his chest and rested his own over it. "I am. I'm half Grolird—the second darkest of the demon groups—and have the powers of this branch, but my Mahsei blood weakens them to a degree."
    "How wide is the power gap between first place and second?"
    Her question confused him for moment, but then he understood. "It's unclear how much stronger the dark demons are than the Grolird. There've been few confrontations between members of the two branches."
    "So, you could very possibly be more powerful than Augustin," Kimi said, sounding satisfied. "You'll win and I'll be safe."
    "I'm not more powerful."
    "You just said—"
    "I know what I said, but I've fought Augustin before. I'm the one who got his ass kicked."
    Kimi was momentarily stunned speechless. "And you're just telling me this now?"
    He growled, a sound that wasn't human. "I haven't been here half an hour yet. Shit," he muttered, and Kimi was startled to hear such a human curse word coming from a demon. "Pack a bag," he ordered. "We can't stay here."
    "It's packed. I was planning to go home tomorrow morning to spend the weekend with my parents."
    Without a word, Nic disappeared into her bedroom and returned with her stuffed overnight bag. He retrieved his own backpack, and heading for the door, said, "Let's go."
    "First tell me about what happened between you and the Dark One. Please," she added when he stared stubbornly at her. "Nic, you said he beat you. I need to know what we're facing."
    His sigh was loud and Kimi figured