Trepidation claws my throat, making my next question hard to utter. “What are you trying to say?”
It’s Logan’s turn to look away. He’s staring at the console separating us, obviously torn by the thoughts and feelings swirling in his head.
Then, without warning, he reaches out and takes my hand in his. “If this is true… if you’re really Belial’s soulmate and your mom figured it out—”
“That would explain why she took me into hiding,” I finish for him.
He squeezes my hand. “Exactly.”
“Andrew thought the Shadowguard would use me to control Belial,” I tell him, not sure if he heard that much of our conversation. “Do you think that’s what my mom was afraid of?”
“I think that’s part of it.”
“What’s the other part?”
He hesitates. “Your power at the gala… I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Pride makes me sit up straighter, but it deflates the moment I register his uneasy expression. “And you think that’s a bad thing.”
“You didn’t even use a stylus, Aspen.” He adjusts his grip so our fingers are laced together, reassuring me as he continues, “That power was raw, and it came directly from you. You didn’t need to activate it with a sigil like a normal Guardian. Power like that… Let’s just say there are many who would envy it.”
I follow his logic, and it feels like a dark cloud has gathered over my head. “And there would be plenty of people who would want the power for themselves.”
Determination shines from Logan’s eyes. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Aspen. I swear.”
I barely register his vow. All of the pieces are falling into place, and I finally understand the reason for everything. “That’s why Mom took me away. It’s why she put a block on me.”
“I don’t know how, but your mother discovered you’re Hermona’s reincarnation. The type of power you have, coupled with an original demon’s tie to you, would make you a valuable tool to the Shadowguard. From what you told me, she already had enough reason to distrust them. It makes sense that she would want to keep you from them.”
This is… so much.
It’s too much.
I pull my hand away, unwilling to take anymore comfort from him.
I wrap my arms around myself and squeeze tight, as if that will be enough to hold my turbulent emotions inside.
“So what do we do?” I whisper.
Logan pulls his hand back to his side of the car. “We still go visit Noah and Nora.”
I hadn’t believed it when Logan said we were going to visit my old friends, but he seems serious.
“What will we do there?”
He shrugs. “Lay low for now. Then we will figure out what to do next.”
“Won’t people wonder why you sprinted me away right after I woke up?”
“They might,” he says. “But I’ll figure something out.”
I can’t imagine what Logan thinks he can do. Our departure is obviously suspicious, and we’re already on his father’s radar. I don’t see this ending well. Unless…
Should I tell him?
I glance at my mentor. He watches me without saying a word. I know he’ll do whatever he can to get us out of this mess. The least I can do is offer him a credible starting point for his plan.
“There’s something else.”
Logan leans forward, hearing the tension in my voice. “What is it?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Azazel is after me. In the dream, he called me a key and said the demons needed to use me for something. He said it would ensure their survival. Any idea what he’s talking about?”
Logan’s hands curl into fists. “No, but I promised nothing would happen to you, and I meant it. We will keep you safe while we figure this all out. Together. Trust me.”
The fervor in his voice draws my gaze to his. His blue eyes lock onto mine, and the depth of emotion I see swirling in his gaze catches me off guard.
“Why?” There I go again… asking why.
I clear my throat and find myself leaning closer to him. The consul presses into my stomach. “I know you’re my mentor, Logan, but you’re risking everything to help me. Demons are still out there hurting Guardians. Shouldn’t you keep investigating that? People are depending on you.”
“You don’t get it.” Logan leans forward, and our faces nearly touch. I inhale a tiny breath, but I don’t lean back. Something about the way he looks at me leaves me frozen in place.
“I don’t get what?”
Logan’s hands cup the sides of my face, sending my heart fluttering like hummingbird wings. “You depend on me.” His stare is unrelenting, but there’s a vulnerability to it. “And I depend on you. I can’t walk away and leave you to face this on your own, Aspen. Whatever comes next, I will be by your side. I swear it.”
Oh my god.
My childhood crush comes roaring back with a vengeance, flooding my entire body with longing and desire. Everything about Logan is just so perfect. He’s handsome, intelligent, and a talented fighter. He’s dedicated to righting wrongs, even if it means going against the Shadowguard and his father…
Even if it means aligning himself to a girl who’s linked to one original demon while being hunted by another…
His loyalty is commendable, but it’s a lot. Even for a mentor.
“It’s because you’re my mentor, right?” I say half-jokingly.
Inside, I hold my breath, daring to hope he will contradict me and say there’s a deeper reason for his unwavering support—something to explain the budding feeling growing in my heart the longer he stares at me.
Logan shakes his head. Looking into his eyes, I see the moment he makes a decision. “No, Aspen. It’s not because I’m your mentor. I told you at the gala, I can’t resist this anymore.”
His fingers press tenderly into my skin, holding me in place.
“Resist what?” I breathe.
His lips draw closer to mine. “You.”
Logan’s lips descend on mine, trapping me in the most toe-curling and soul-satisfying kiss that I never want to end.
I lose myself in the feeling of desire mingling in the car’s air. I hadn’t realized how long I’ve been dreaming of this moment, but there’s no denying the ecstatic thrill coursing through my veins as the love-sick dream of a twelve-year-old girl is finally realized.
I’ve kissed three people in my life, but I’ve never felt longing like this. I’ve never wanted to meld my body with someone else’s, eager to never let space exist between us again.
I don’t know what is to come next. Logan and I will travel to see Nora and Noah, and then we will figure out how to handle the trouble with the demons.
But for now, I let those problems fade to the back of my mind. They can wait.
Because I’m freaking kissing Logan Hendricks right now, and nothing has ever felt so right… or so deliciously wrong.
To be continued.
Demon Hunted
Demon Hunted
Shadowguard Academy Book 3
Now available to pre-order on Amazon.
About the Author
Samantha Britt is an avid reader and enthusiastic writer of new adult and young adult paranormal and fantasy novels. When not lost in the fictional world, you can find her in Texas. More often than not, she will be busy making memories with her precious family which includes Sam, her husband, Dan, and their mini-goldendoodles, Bailey and Bella.
Also by Samantha Britt
SHADOWGUARD ACADEMY
Demon Guard
Demon Marked
Demon Hunted
THE DARK FAE TRILOGY
Running From Darkness - Prequel
Stolen by Darkness
Marked by Darkness
Queen of Darkness
CURSE OF THE DRAEKON
Chosen
Possession
Freed
THE FALLEN HAREM
Claimed by the Fallen
Hunted by the Fallen
Protected by the Fallen
Touched by the Fallen
Saved by the Fallen
THE IMMORTAL CHRONICLES
Enlightened
Ensnared
Envisioned
Enraptured
Enticed: An Immortal Chronicles Story
Endured: Thane’s Story
Envied: Gregory’s Story
DUAL COURT SERIES
Will of Fate
Work of Fate
Waiting for Fate
Demon Marked: Shadowguard Academy Book 2 Page 20
