I can smell blood, Elena,” Dmitri drawled, walking back into the room. “Are you trying to flirt?

Why is it”—she shivered as he kissed the top of her spine, went lower—“that I always end up naked while you remain dressed?” A husky masculine chuckle, his lips moving over her shoulder, his hands on her hips. “Because I'm a smart man.

There is one—how would you put it—loophole.” “Loophole? More like a giant cavern if I have wings.

Once, he hadn't been able to touch her without causing himself pain. Now, it only hurt when he didn't touch her.

Truth was a tool. It should never simply be said. No, it had to be bent, twisted, colored, until it became a weapon.

When the kid began to flag, Riley picked her up, swung her onto his back, and kept running. The leopard in Mercy growled in approval - whatever his faults (and they were many and legend), Riley knew how to take care of the innocent.

No,” he responded, reaching out to trace the shell of her ear. “They grew back even more beautiful. Blue edged with silver.” Elena laughed at the scowl in his voice.