Free Camille's Capture by Evanne Lorraine Page A

Aegis is, because it couldn’t possibly be something as stupid as a couple of itty-bitty physical differences. Personally, I find his pointy ears quite handsome. His horns define adorable.” She slid a palm down his proud jaw to his thick neck. “You can’t be upset about his gorgeous scales. They’re so warm and smooth.”
    She stopped petting Aegis long enough to glare at Jaxon. “Even if he were hideous, which he isn’t, he’s on your side.”
    “Does the word demon ring any monster bells?” Jaxon asked, interrupting her ode to Aegis. His tone was biting, sinking her hopes for an easy resolution.
    H er temper flared. Of all the stupid male behavior she’d ever heard about, Jaxon’s irrational prejudice topped the list. Aegis’s stoic response ran a close second.
    The warriors cared for each other . They communicated with a glance. Goddess knew the attraction smoldering between them went both ways.
    Jaxon ’s stubborn determination to throw away the love of a lifetime was too clear.
    She swallowed a mouthful of bitter envy. S he would have given anything to share the kind of true intimacy the male shunned.
    She darted a peek at Aegis. He’d averted his face, hunching his shoulders as if he were trying to hide his distinctive ears. She shook her head, disgusted with them. Goddess save me from idiots, martyrs, and stubborn warriors.
    A small step closed the distance separating her from Jaxon. She slapped both hands against his chest and stretched up on her toes. By angling her neck, she managed to meet his gaze. “Back off right now.”
    H e continued to glower.
    “Don’t you even care that Aegis was injured protecting us?” She softened her tone hoping for kindness. And then she made a huge mistake. She drew a breath. Dear Goddess, the man smelled wonderful. His scent—dark, sweet, and spicy hot—woke a hunger she’d never known.
    “Demons are hard to hurt,” Jaxon muttered, staying unconvinced.
    “Their feelings bruise as easily as anyone’s,” Cami whispered when all she wanted to do was peel off his uniform and rub against him. It took every bit of strength she possessed to drop her hands and step back.
    “ Tethysians have been persecuted by humanoids for centuries.” Aegis spoke, pain roughened his deep voice. “Baldoreans slaughtered my family. Others have done almost as much to eliminate our kind from the universe.”
    “Humans kill demons in self-defense.” Jaxon’s mouth thinned to a tight line.
    “Not H’nai. He kills for his own unholy reasons,” Aegis grumbled.
    “The Baldorean mage?” Cami asked, remembering a frightening holocast interview with the man.
    “Yes.”
    “Did you scar him?” She held her breath, waiting for his answer.
    Aegis seemed to shrink. He shook his head. “ I did not have that honor. My mother marked his right cheek. She nearly took one of his eyes.”
    “Sounds like a demon move.” Jaxon scowled at his friend.
    “She died to feed H’nai’s blood lust.”
    Cami blinked back tears. “I’m so sorry for your loss.”
    “It was long ago .”
    “Sorry.” Jaxon spoke with curt politeness, continuing to stare at Aegis as if he’d never seen him before.
    The ir bitterness ate at Cami. She sought the right words to make them understand what was so clear too her—they were two worthy males tearing the bonds between them to shreds.
    “ Is your real sitch, another bloodthirsty demon bent on killin’ humans? Or are you just after Baldoreans?”
    Aegis angled stiff shoulders as if his stance would deflect Jaxon’s anger. “If a lie is told long enough and loud enough, it is believed. However, no matter how long and how loud the lie is told, it never becomes the truth.”
    “Is it true male demons go berserk, raping and killing humans after they reach a certain age?” Jaxon asked with enough bite to make Aegis flinch.
    “Yes, this happens at sexual maturity,” Aegis ’s lips pressed into a rigid line.
    “Yeah? When exactly does that