demon I am means that the way we find mates is slightly different. We only take mates who have strong, compatible power. Power that, if necessary, can be transferred back and forth.”
I look at him steadily as I weigh his words. “Transfer by blood?”
He tips his head forward. “Yes. There are other ways, but blood is one of them.”
“So because my blood soaked into you and made you feel stronger, you think I’d be a good mate?”
“That’s the gist of it, yes.”
“Do I get any say in this, or is it a done deal?”
He stares at me incredulously for a beat. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, what if I’m not into it?” I ask, genuinely curious.
I don’t exactly know how I feel either way. Yeah, I was just perving out a little, but this is a whole different animal. Plus, it’s not like we’re at a bar chatting things up either.
He rolls his eyes. “Just because I said you would be the perfect mate doesn’t mean you will be. I’m not exactly in a position to take a mate right now.”
“Because you’re in a dungeon, or are you one of those commitment-phobes?”
He gives me a droll look. “Yes, Sable. Because I’m in a dungeon.”
I look around. “Yeah, me too,” I point out with a sigh that morphs into a smirk.
I get a rare smile from him, but it’s gone too quickly, like he hasn’t smiled in such a long time that it felt foreign on his face. “I’ve noticed.”
“What are the other ways?” I ask, suddenly wondering if we can use this whole power exchange thing to our advantage.
Toreon’s brow furrows for a second in question.
“Other ways mates exchange power,” I clarify, and understanding lights his golden eyes before they turn wary.
He looks to Vudu for a second, but it doesn’t take a genius to figure out where this is going.
“Ah. So, sex then?” I ask, bluntly.
Vudu chuckles, and Toreon looks a little shocked by my hold nothing back delivery. I can’t help it, though. There’s so much to learn, and so little time.
“Not just sex. Some mates can transfer through simple touch or other intimate contact,” Toreon corrects, his golden eyes watching me with curiosity brimming in the gilded flecks.
“Could you power me up enough for me to break through the bars?” I ask, staring at one just to my left as though I expect the metal, or whatever it is, to cower at my suggestion.
“I’m not bedding my mate for the first time in a dungeon,” Toreon counters on a growl, and my attention shoots back to him, my face stunned.
“Who said anything about sex? Didn’t you just say that holding hands could do it?” I declare, taken aback, by his reaction.
Geez, that escalated quickly.
My gray gaze takes Toreon in cautiously. “Like you said, just because we could be a match doesn’t mean we will be, right?” I inquire, but there’s a teasing lilt to my tone that not even I can ignore.
Toreon releases a sigh, and I don’t miss the amused look on Vudu’s face.
“Right,” Toreon agrees, rubbing his bicep and making his chains rattle slightly.
“Could be worse,” I announce, trying to lighten the heavy intensity that’s settled all around us.
Vudu snorts. “How?” he asks, his deep voice a perfect match for his large frame.
“It could be a long-distance relationship,” I point out. “Those are way more doomed than a dungeon relationship,” I joke.
This time, Toreon’s mouth stretches into a full, bona fide grin, and Vudu’s chuckle turns into a rumbling laugh. Both of them flash straight white teeth, lips curving up and smile lines creasing their cheeks, the sight making my chest tighten with how much younger and relaxed they look. Okay, and hot. Smiling also makes them look ridiculously hot.
“Why would you get the power boost?” Toreon suddenly asks, like the thought just sunk in and he can’t wrap his mind around it.
“Because between the two of us, I’m clearly more badass. All you do is rattle your chains occasionally and whine,” I tease, and his mouth parts in shock.
“I do not whine,” he protests, but I pull my gaze from him and settle it on Vudu’s red eyes.
“He totally whines,” I repeat, gesturing with my thumb at Toreon.
“He always did during training too,” Vudu offers conspiratorially, and I snicker.
“Doesn’t surprise me at all. He seems like a delicate man,” I add, and Vudu puts a hand over his mouth to hold in the sound of his mirth.
“I’m not a man,” Toreon retorts, pulling my