Gray's Shadow (Kings of Hell MC 4)

Guilt was poison rapidly spreading through his body when he held on to Shadow more tightly, because they too were here to do the bidding of the demon from the Other Side and advancing his plans. And instead of making an attempt to get his hands on the Pigeon Heart and offer humanity a fighting chance, Gray was holding the hand of a man who was Baal’s key to their world.

What would have Mike thought of him if he knew?

How much time did humanity have left before the trees bore fruit? How much time to lock Baal out of their world? What if it was too late already? What if by helping Jake, he’d doomed the world?

“Wait here,” Shadow said and slipped away from Gray.

Gray instinctively reached out after him but ended up staying where he was while he searched for movement in darkness so thick it made him imagine things he couldn’t possibly hear. Like the quiet breathing coming from under his feet, or the whisper of branches growing at a noticeable speed against the backdrop of the town.

A flash of light made Gray flinch. He reached for his gun but ended up with his hand on the holster, staring at Shadow’s face lit by a warm glow.

“Ta-dah!” Shadow said with a big grin.

It took Gray a couple of seconds to understand what he was looking at. The tar-black tree was growing out its branches so symmetrically it might have served as a company logo, but now its lower limbs were draped in yellow fairy lights. Just inches from the trunk was a blanket covered with pillows, and a large basket stood next to it, along with a wine bottle and glasses.

Gray stepped closer, unsure if he wasn’t hallucinating. The tunnel vision from before slowly dispersed, giving way to the colorful image of a perfect picnic. Photos of him and Shadow were clipped to the fairy lights. Just five, most likely all they’d taken together. None of the pictures were particularly romantic either, since whatever they were doing wasn’t a relationship, but in this whimsical setting, they made Gray’s heart melt. Even the one where Gray was pictured scolding Shadow for breaking his cup.

Shadow took off his jacket, and it seemed like a good idea since the tree emitted so much warmth. For all Gray knew, the plant might have been radioactive, but in the glow of the fairy lights, standing across from Shadow, he could forget that they’ve come here so that Shadow could offer Baal a chunk of his life force.

Darkness was already spreading through the murky waters of Gray’s mind, but Shadow wouldn’t stop smiling, as if the purpose of their visit didn’t bother him at all. “It’s our anniversary. One month since we met. Isn’t this rustic?”

Gray’s heart thudded in his chest like a drum meant to tell him something he’d been trying to ignore. But how could he continue sulking when Shadow was here, so eager to make every moment special?

Gentle, thoughtful in his own way, and so unselfish it broke Gray’s heart at times. It was so easy to open up to him, because Shadow didn’t grow up with the trappings society created. His mind was pure and he did what felt right.

“I… uh, I didn’t expect this,” he whispered, rubbing his right arm with the black hand.

Shadow walked up to him and put his arm around Gray’s shoulders, bringing with him the pleasantly warm scent he always exuded. “Because it’s a surprise.”

It wasn’t the first time Shadow’s imposing posture made Gray feel small, but in the light of the tiny lamps attached to the tree that was to feed on Shadow tonight, Gray felt it all the more intensely. Nobody had ever surprised him with something so cheesy. It was a scene straight out of a romantic movie, which must’ve been where Shadow had gotten the idea.

He chuckled, desperate to disperse the sudden pressure in his throat. “So you’re still after my ass.”

Shadow blinked and stepped away, his mouth slack. “I just… I want to get to know you.”

The grin melted from Gray’s face. “I’m sorry. It was just a joke. This whole thing makes me nervous,” he said, gesturing at the black tree Shadow had decorated as if it were a gazebo.

“Oh. I’m sorry. I thought it was a good spot. Very private.”

Facing Gray, Shadow couldn’t see the black branches stirring to life. At first, Gray thought his eyes deceived him, then that perhaps it was the wind, but he knew what was coming when the tree let out a searing screech and bent toward them as if it had a joint in the middle of its trunk.

He knew what was coming, and he desperately didn’t want it to happen.

He gasped, stepping closer and grabbing Shadow’s warm hand. “No. No, it’s just the tree. It’s like it’s about to bleed you,” he choked out, struggling to keep still when naked branches touched Shadow’s head like the fingers of a witch.