The Darkest Whisper by Gena Showalter Page A

was riddled with them. And being around him would only make them worse.
    All of his past lovers had been confident, self-reliant women. (Aged thirty-five and up, damn it.) He’d chosenthem for that very reason, their confidence. But they’d quickly changed, his demon sinking sharp claws of uncertainty through them and cutting deep. A few, like Darla, had even committed suicide, unable to bear the constant scrutiny of their appearance, their wit, the people around them. After Darla, he’d given up on females and relationships once and for all.
    Then he’d seen Gwen. He desired—oh, did he desire. He could maybe allow himself one night with her and be able to justify it in some way, he thought. But he doubted one night would be enough. Not with her. There were too many ways to take her, too many things he wanted to do to that curvy little body.
    Her lush beauty fired his blood every time he glanced at her, made his mouth water and his body ache. Her insecurity roused his protective instincts as much as his demon’s destructive urges. Her sunshine scent, buried underneath the grime she’d yet to wash off, continually wafted to him, summoning him closer…closer still…
    To give in was to destroy her. Don’t forget .
    Perhaps I’ll be good. Perhaps I’ll leave her alone.
    At the sweet cajoling, Sabin bit his tongue, drawing blood. The demon wanted him to doubt its malicious intent. I fell for that once. I won’t again.
    â€œYou do that a lot,” Strider said now to Gwendolyn, pulling Sabin from his musings.
    â€œWhat?” Her voice was breathless, raspy. At first, Sabin had thought her fatigue responsible for such a timbre. But no, that hoarseness was all her. And pure sex.
    â€œWatch Sabin. Are you interested in him?”
    She gasped, obviously outraged. “Of course not!”
    Sabin tried not to scowl. A little hesitation would have been nice.
    Strider chuckled. “I think you are. And guess what? I’ve known him for thousands of years, so I’ve got dirt.”
    â€œSo,” she sputtered.
    â€œSo. I don’t mind spilling. I mean, I’d be acting as a friend to both of you if I changed your mind about him.”
    Your friend undermines you , Doubt said, perhaps wants her for himself. Trusting him after this might not be wise.
    Sabin experienced a moment of unease before he shook the feeling off. He warns her away for her own good. For my own good. Just as he claimed. Now shut it.
    â€œI want nothing to do with him, I assure you.”
    â€œThen you won’t care if I leave you without telling you what I know.” Through his narrowed eyes, Sabin watched Strider push to his feet.
    Gwen grabbed his wrist and jerked him back down. “Wait.”
    Sabin had to grip the arms of his seat to stop himself from leaping up and separating them.
    â€œTell me,” she said, and released the warrior of her own accord.
    Slowly Strider eased back into his chair. He was grinning. Even as limited as Sabin’s line of sight was, he could see the bright gleam of Strider’s teeth. He suddenly wanted to grin himself. Gwen was curious about him.
    Probably wants to learn the best way to kill you.
    Shut up, damn it!
    â€œAnything particular you’d like to know?” Strider asked her.
    â€œWhy is he so…distant?” She was still looking over at him, her gaze burning him, probing deep. “I mean, is he like that with everyone or am I just a lucky girl?”
    â€œDon’t worry. It’s not you. He’s like that with all females. He has to be. See, his demon is—”
    â€œDemon?” Gwen gasped out. Her back jerked ramrod-straight, and her face leeched of color. “Did you just say demon?”
    â€œOh, uh…did I say that?” Strider once again glanced around the plane helplessly. “No, no. I think I said seaman.”
    â€œNo, you said demons. Demons. Demons and Hunters and that butterfly