~excerpt from Chasing Shadows
“For one, we don’t attack random humans for no
reason.”
“That you know.”
“I know those who belong to me don’t. It’s not
allowed, plus it can bring unwanted attention to paranormals. Besides, do you
go around randomly attacking people?”
“Of course not!”
“Then why assume we do?” That sort of thinking
annoyed Kage. “There’s no reason for us to. As for your second question, I’d
kill anyone who laid a finger on you.”
“That’s kinda sexy but also slightly terrifying. I don’t….
How are humans still at the top of the food chain? I mean, why haven’t you
taken over the world?”
“Do you mean my species or paranormals in general?”
Kage asked.
“It doesn’t matter which he meant, because the
answer is the same for vampires, werewolves, or any other paranormal beings,”
Hudson said.
“Shit, vampires exist?” Austin suddenly smiled. “I
know some folks who would love to know that.”
Hudson laughed softly. “Yes, they exist. As do
werewolves. And many others. But the answer to your question is this: There are
nearly eight billion humans on this planet. Even if you add all the paranormals
together, we still don’t come close to that. Not even close.”
“We don’t reproduce as often as humans do,” Kage
said. “At last count, there were only a hundred daemons
worldwide. Ten live here in San DeLain. They answer to me.”
“Oh, so you’re like an alpha?”
Kage opened his mouth then shut it as the bar’s
door opened then slammed closed. “That’s a very good question. One that I’m
willing to answer, but let’s do this elsewhere.”
“I agree,” Hudson added, also glancing at the bar.
“I guess you’re right, but where? It’s not like I
know where you live,” Austin pointed out.
Kage tracked the two men until they got in an old
truck. “Have you heard of Grand at the Dominion?”
Kage snorted. “You’re kidding, right? It’s one of
the top three apartment complexes in San DeLain. It’s crazy expensive and
horribly exclusive.”
It was indeed. Kage had made sure of it. It did
annoy him that it wasn’t considered the very best, though.
“It’s mine,” Kage said. “Park in front of the
building. Tell the doorman your name. He’ll have valet park your car in our
private parking garage.”
Kage wanted Austin out of there. The men who walked
out of the bar had left, but Kage worried. They were out in the open there, and
this wasn’t a territory he was familiar with.
He had no idea if it was claimed or not or by whom.
Last thing he needed was for some paranormal to show up and get snarly. He
didn’t need the headache.
Plus, Austin had given that hunter his real name. There
was a distinct possibility there was a cell of them there. It had been years
since they’d tried to infiltrate the city. They would need to be found and
exterminated before innocent paranormals were killed.
“Go to the concierge
desk,” Kage continued. “Mr. Newson will be expecting you. He will escort you to
where you need to go.”
“Okay. How are you two getting out of here?” Austin
asked.
“The same way we got here—the shadows,” Kage
answered.
Austin glanced at his watch. “I don’t know if you
realize this are not, but it’s eleven already. It’s getting late.”
“Then isn’t it fortunate that, as an author, you
get to set your own hours? Come to my home, Austin. You have always wanted to
know about me. I’m going to give you the chance.”
Austin chewed his bottom lip for a few seconds
before finally nodding. “Okay. Yeah, I want answers.”
“And you will get them.”
