Marked by Hades
on it.” Theo grunted. “That’s why I need to come get you.”
    “Negatory.”
    “Why?” Theo’s voice intensified.
    “Got some loose ends to tie up here. When you heading in?”
    “As soon as we know enough to move.”
    “Call me then. I might be done soon.” Total lie.
    Silence hung heavy, and Justin could picture Theo’s jaw twitching as he clenched his teeth. “Fine.” The line went dead.
    Justin needed to hurry up and find this Mate of his and figure out how to get out of it. The way Theo had gotten so consumed with finding his Mate, pursuing her, then finally mating her, Justin had seen all facets of emotions, and he wanted nothing to do with it.
    Then again, if Justin ever wanted to have sex again, he’d have to find his Mate. He’d tried to be with two more women after he’d sensed the Marking, but not one female captured his attention.
    At all.
    Not even enough to kiss them.
    He was so screwed.
    The convenience store was empty besides the pimple-faced teenager working the cash register and the older gentleman paying for his goods. Justin moved toward the pizza counter, hoping a few thousand calories and a lump of grease in his stomach would make things look entirely different.
    A burning sensation ignited in his chest, bringing him to a halt. His heart palpitated and his pulse spiked. Turning to find the source of the vitals jump, he didn’t see anyone other than the two at the counter.
    But something had triggered it. In the mirror propped at the rear corner of the store, he saw a small figure crouched in the last aisle.
    Another heart palpitation. Shit . Was his Mate in this store? Theo’d said he’d sensed Sadie, then confirmed it was her by seeing the Ahavah Mark on her shoulder.
    Pulling in a deep breath, he steeled himself against the onslaught of emotions triggered by this supposed Mate. A Mate he didn’t want. Gatekeepers needed Mates to get their full power so they could better guard the gates of Hades, but a Companion? Why would they ever need Mates? They were second in command and didn’t need to be superstrong or have extra powers. They couldn’t banish a demon to Hades for good as a Gatekeeper could.
    Companions, too, must be strong.
    He stopped.
    To aid your Gatekeeper.
    No. No. No. He pushed The Great One’s voice from his head. There had to be a way out of this. He was strong enough without a Mate!
    Finally at the end of the aisle, he let out his breath and turned the corner, bracing to see his alleged Mate.
    The dark-haired leather-clad girl he’d seen rush out of the bar the other night stood, fishing through the bags of chips. She hadn’t noticed him yet, but he took in the sight of her.
    Jet-black hair flowed down to the middle of her back, the color continuing on with her black leather tank top, pants, and boots. The only skin that showed was on her shoulders, since her black leather gloves went only a few inches past her elbows.
    Wait, there wasn’t an Ahavah Mark on her shoulder. He didn’t see anyone else in the store, so how could he be sensing his Mate nearby if it wasn’t this woman?
    Training his focus on the girl before him, he drew in a deep breath, and his heart calmed. Despite the sugar from the flavored shaved-ice machine across the store, he caught the distinct fragrance of lavender.
    And what an intoxicating scent it was.
    She had her hand out before her, counting change. Her shoulders slouched forward, and she put the bag of chips back.
    She couldn’t afford food?
    …
    Movement caught the corner of Yvonne’s eye and sent her whirling. Towering over her was the guy from the bar.
    She backed away.
    “Well…if it isn’t the girl with a wicked touch,” he said.
    His voice sounded the way chocolate tasted. It slid all the way down her throat and to her belly in one warm swoop. Hugging her stomach, she looked around. It was just them and the cashier in the store. Great .
    Her stomach rumbled.
    How embarrassing.
    He leaned to the side, looking at her,
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