Demon Moon

in securing her safety and felicity.”
    Castleford’s expression gave no evidence of his thoughts. “What do you imagine could secure such for her?”
    “I need a long-term food source that I won’t fuck,” Colin said bluntly. “You’ve had access to Caelum’s library, have read all of the Scrolls, might have knowledge of a—”
    He broke off as pity darkened Castleford’s face.
    Colin glanced at Lilith, saw the same in her eyes. Panic began to claw at his chest, and he forced it away. This wasn’t the only option. There was Michael, and if nothing else, a demon might bargain with him.
    Chaos would be an irresistible temptation.
    “There isn’t one, Colin.” Castleford’s knuckles whitened as his grip on his helmet tightened. “She’s in love with you? She told you this?”
    “No.” Bloody hell, but he wished he could lie to Castleford as easily as Savi had to him. “She said it was nothing. Just a phase. It isn’t true.”
    It couldn’t be.
    Castleford gave a short nod. “Even if it was a lie, it was a choice she made. Respect her will and let her go.”
    “Everyone lets her go,” Colin growled, fisting his hands to keep from launching himself in an attack. “I’ll not be like them.”
    Halting in the doorway to the garage, Castleford looked over his shoulder, ice in his blue gaze. “She doesn’t commit to anything she can’t follow through on. Don’t use her feelings to force her into a commitment. You’ll be little better than a demon, and I’ll treat you as such.”
    Lilith snorted with laughter, though her dark eyes held no humor. “Treat him as you do me? Please do. I’ve been waiting to see that kiss between you two for a year.” She turned to Colin. “Why the fuck are you at his throat?”
    Good God, but Lilith was intolerable at times—and worse when she was right. Castleford was not being unreasonable, nor was he responding in any way Colin hadn’t expected. Yet he’d immediately reacted as if the other man had considered him a triviality to be dismissed.
    Chagrined, he said, “I came to inform you that I intend to court her. I’m not asking permission, I simply don’t want to wake up with you in my bed again.” He stole a glance at Castleford. “I’d not force her into anything. I will, however, charm, seduce, and if necessary, prostrate myself at her feet.”
    Castleford closed his eyes, leaned against the door frame. “Court her?” he echoed in a curiously strained voice.
    “Why, yes,” Colin said with a lazy grin, recognizing the other man’s suppressed laughter. “I do believe that is what they call it when a man decides to win a woman’s affections.”
    “Typically, when a vampire does it, it is called ‘wedded to the night,’” Lilith said dryly. “Or ‘eternally bound by blood and darkness.’ Very dramatic and frightening.”
    Colin’s light mood vanished. It wouldn’t be eternal, but he would take any time Savi had to offer him. And he wouldn’t let thoughts of the future, his eventual loss, destroy his newfound hope.
    It would last…but it couldn’t be forever.
    “Dramatic, perhaps,” he said quietly. “But my vampirism doesn’t frighten her.” She only objected to the uncontrollable lust that went along with it—but he would find a way to overcome it, or bypass it.
    Castleford tapped his helmet against the side of his thigh. “Nothing’s likely to frighten her anymore.”
    Lilith gave a mock shudder. “It does me. It’s revolting.”
    Sighing, Castleford straightened up from the door frame. “We shouldn’t delay any longer before going to Auntie’s. If this is something Savi wants, too, I’ll make an effort to reexamine the Scrolls and speak with Michael. But I’m fairly certain in this, Colin: There’s nothing.” He ran a hand through his short hair, then met Colin’s gaze again. “ This I’m asking as her brother: For her sake, don’t make promises you can’t keep. For now, if she allows your attention, then court her—but don’t speak of the future unless you are certain of a solution.”
    Lilith stepped forward and lifted her fingers to Colin’s collar, adjusting the neckline of the black undershirt layered beneath. “The easiest way to destroy a human’s soul is with false hope, whether fed by truth or lies,” she said quietly.
    Astonished, Colin didn’t move. But for Castleford and Sir Pup, Lilith rarely touched anyone with care. And though they’d established a close friendship in the past