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7. DEVRIM: COMPROMISING

Devrim

"This is a bad idea."

I rolled my eyes—an annoying habit I had picked up from the humans—at him as I continued to make my way down the hall towards Vanya's bedroom. Obsidian followed closely behind me even though he made no sound. I sometimes wished that I had his ability to move so silently, but then again, there were a lot of things Obsidian could do that I wished I could too.

Amusement filled me when I pushed the bedroom door open. Vanya's apartment was spotless—all except her bedroom. What was that saying human used? It looked like it had been hit by a tornado.

Obsidian suddenly groaned, making my eyes dart over to him. I followed his gaze to a scrap of what the human women called underwear, hanging over the back of the chair by the desk.

My lips twitched when he walked over and picked it up. I thought he only wanted a closer look, but to my surprise, Obsidian held it against his nose and sucked in a deep breath.

The sound he made shot straight to my groin. I've never been attracted to the same sex, so it came as a surprise that the sound he made turned me on.

"What does she smell like?" I asked huskily.

His eyes locked with mine. "Sweet."

"You want her," I said in realization.

His eyes instantly dropped, and his hands curled into fists. "She's human."

"So?" I took a step towards him but froze when he growled.

"She can't handle the things I want to do to her."

I studied him silently. "Lara said something about Vanya before they left, didn't she?" I took another step closer. "It's why you went back to spending most of your time in the basement again."

His lips parted to reveal the sharp tips of his canines. He only ever reacted the way he was when someone pissed him off. Obsidian was unpredictable, and that was the reason for my caution. One wrong move from me, and he could snap in seconds.

"Obsidian—"

"She won't be able to handle it."

I frowned at him. "What do you mean?"

He raised his hand gripping the underwear to his nose, and took another deep breath, making his chest rumble.

After hesitating for a few seconds, I moved towards him and closed the few feet that separated us. I kept my movement slow as I reached out. Obsidian's body jerked when my fingers wrapped around his wrist, and his eyes snapped open.

Keeping my eyes locked with his, I pulled his hand towards me and sniffed at the material still clutched in his hand.

He was right; she smelled sweet.

My mouth watered as I sucked in another deep breath. I wondered if Vanya tasted as good as she smelled.

"It's a bad idea," he rasped.

I blinked, but before I could say anything, he pulled his wrist from my hold and walked out of the room. My brows dipped into a frown. What was he talking about?


"Let me get this straight," Mayor Reeves shouted. "You want me to give you permission to take my daughter with you into the woods?"

I ran a hand through my hair and tried to keep my temper in check. I wanted to beat some sense into the man. Why were humans so damn stupid?

"Do you have any idea what people will think?"

My eyes darted over to Vanya. She sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs with her hands clutched together on her lap and her eyes focused on the wall, but I knew she was listening.

It was hard not to when the man was shouting; I was sure that everybody else in the house that wasn't in the room would still be able to hear his every word.

My eyes darted over to Ezra when he moved. He nodded towards the door—a sign that he wanted to speak to me privately. I shook my head and turned my attention back to the Mayor.

"Your daughter's safety is our main concern," I told him. "The killer got away, and he thinks that Vanya saw him. He's scared that she could. . .what's the word?" I made a gesture as I tried to find the right word.

"Identify," Vanya supplied.

She gave me a small smile when our eyes locked. Giving her a nod, I looked back at her father.

"The killer thinks that she will be able to identify him. If she's dead, he would be able to continue whatever he has been doing without our knowledge.

Mayor Reeves stood and walked around his desk with his arms around his back, and his head bowed slightly.

"Are you sure that it wasn't one of your kind?"

I growled at him.

"Why would they kill someone?" Vanya asked before I could answer. "They live in the woods and barely leave unless it's for a supply run."

"We stay close to home for a reason," Ezra muttered. "We have what you humans call a system. If one of the members were being harassed by a human or seeing one, they would have talked to Devrim about it."

"What if they didn't?" Mayor Reeves asked.

"They would have," I told him.

"We are only part human, Mayor"—Ezra flashed his canines at the man—"but that doesn't mean we live like you. Us panthers, we stick together. If one of us is in trouble, we all step up to help. We—"

"Enough Ezra."

The last thing I wanted was for humans to know more about us than what they already knew. Our numbers had deflated enough as it was due to their inability to consider anything other than themselves.

"Apologies," Ezra muttered, bowing his head.

I could almost feel Vanya's curiosity. Her eyes were burning holes into me. She had questions—a lot of them—but I wasn't going to risk answering them. I knew she wouldn't tell a soul if I asked her not to, but humans were weak. Things could easily be tortured from them, but we were trained to endure, and they weren't.

"I don't believe someone is out to get my daughter," Mayor Reeves was saying. "They're trying to get my attention, and they have." He looked up at me. "I thank you for your concern, but I will take care of things on my own."

"I'm not moving back here." Vanya jumped up and stomped over to her father. "I moved out for a reason!"

"It's not up for debate, honey." Mayor Reeves turned stern eyes towards his daughter. "I will not tolerate a hissy-fit."

Hissy-fit? My eyes darted over to Ezra in question. He shrugged, looking just as confused as I felt.

"Dad—"

"I've spoken, Vanya!" He glared at her. "You will not go anywhere without informing me or a security escort until this is sorted. Am I clear?"

Vanya crossed her arms with a huff. "Perfectly."

"Good. I'll have one of the men escort you to your apartment to pack your things."

"I'll do it," Ezra said, stepping forward. "I can smell if anyone was inside her apartment after the police left."

I almost told him that Obsidian and I had already done that but stopped myself just in time.

The police didn't find any explosives in her apartment, the building, or her car. Neither one of us believed that the bomb was planted just to scare them. It was a serious matter and one I needed her father to see.

"It's a good idea," I said. "What is it you human say? Rather be safe than sorry?"

Vanya laughed. "You nailed it."

I smiled at her before turning back towards her father. "If something happens, Ezra will protect her."

Mayor Reeves still hesitated. "So would my men."

"Reeves, I mean no disrespect, but your men wouldn't react fast enough. Ezra would be able to smell the danger and get Vanya to safety before she gets hurt or killed."

"Fine," he sighed. "You take her to her apartment and bring her right back. Some of my men will follow you for backup if you need it, which I doubt you would."

I made a gesture with my hand to Ezra. He nodded and followed Vanya out of the room. I should go with them, two were always better than one, but I needed to stay and try to talk some sense into the Mayor.

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