Free Out of the Shadows by Bethany Shaw Page A

ability
to keep a straight face.
    Gene’s eyes widened as he shook his head. “If you’re still
interested. Don’t stop on my account. I’ll tolerate him for you.”
    Lark shrugged watching Devon from the corner of her eye.
    Devon stiffened and took a long
swig of his beer. His jaw was set and he looked irritated. She’d been hoping
for a reaction and had gotten one. Now she needed to figure out how that made
her feel.
    “Are you coming to the ceremony on Sunday?” Gene asked, his
eyes flicked between Lark and Devon, clearly sensing the tension. He lifted his
bottle, and took a drink of his beer.
    “Uh, sure, yeah, it sounds fun,” Lark stumbled over her
words.
    Lark felt Devon’s angry hazel eyes
on her. She clamped her jaw and glared back. How could he go from jealous to piss
off so fast? His mood swings infuriated her.
    In an attempt to ignore his brooding
mood, she asked, “So if it’s not a wedding, what exactly is it?”
    Gene shifted his eyes to Devon then back to her. “Our
culture has been modernized over the years, but back in the day instead of a
traditional wedding, we had mating ceremonies,” Gene answered.
    Lark quirked her eyebrow, that sounded a little kinky.
    Gene laughed at her, “It’s not what you think,” he
continued. “Basically it’s a series of vows and rituals performed. The male and
the female promise themselves to each other. They prick a spot on their palms
and combine hands and blood whilst saying a sacred vow. The ceremony is
completed upon them both getting a tattoo, or mark, on their left shoulder. The
mark signifies that they have sworn their life, love, and loyalty to one other
person. They will never love, or lay with anyone, but their mate.”
    “Sounds interesting,” Lark said.
    “Come and see for yourself,” Gene offered. “I promise you’ll
enjoy it.”
    “I don’t want to impose,” Lark hesitated. Gene’s cappuccino
eyes flicked from her to Devon.
    “Lark, you’re family. You wouldn’t impose. I’m certain I’ve
heard Emily mention your name several times in passing. She is very excited
about having another woman around,” Gene smiled reassuringly.
    Well, at least she’d made an impression with one of them. “Okay,” Lark said.
    “The more the merrier,” Devon said sarcastically.
    “I couldn’t agree more,” Lark replied, deliberately
misunderstanding him.
    Devon lifted his bottle and
chugged the contents. Tossed his fork in the sink and threw the empty bottle
and plate away. With one final glare fixed on her, he growled under his breath
then stormed out of the room.
    Lark shivered and set her plate down. What is his
problem?
    “He’s like that with everyone, don’t take it personally,”
Gene said quietly.
    “And here I thought it was just me,” Lark attempted at
humor.
    Gene laughed and shook his head. “Devon’s a complicated guy,
don’t hate him yet. There’s a lot you don’t know about him.”
    Lark sighed and nodded. Complicated, that was one way to
describe Devon. Though she could think of a few more colorful words to use.
    ***
    Devon thundered up the stairs. He didn’t know why he was so
enraged. Well he did, but he hated that he was. How could one single woman get
under his skin so bad? It seemed as if she purposefully mocked him.
    “Hey thanks for covering for me this afternoon.” Marcus
stepped out of the room he shared with Emily.
    “Yeah, no problem,” Devon murmured. He just wanted to get to
his room and blow off some steam.
    “What’s wrong, Dev?” Emily asked, her head popped out of the
bedroom.
    “A certain blonde beauty is downstairs, and got him all
riled up,” Vincent mumbled, his focus intent on the video game he played.
    Devon swiveled his head to his younger brother
questioningly. How did Vincent even know Lark was here? Devon forced a smile,
unclenching his hands. “Nothing’s wrong.”
    Emily frowned studying him. “Okay,” she drawled.
    “It’s been a long day, I just want to get some