Chapter Sixty-Three

DAMON POV

Elle's breathing fills my ears as she turns into blissful slumber, her red hair spilling over the pillows as she dreams. I am glad she is getting some sleep before her shift tomorrow, but my mind won't stop spinning on its axis as I replay Esmeralda's words trying to decipher their meaning.

'You know what it means,' Slade intervenes, 'the words were clear. Mark her, and she is safe. It's not fucking rocket science, human.'

'Well, hello to you too,' I mumble; now he wants to throw in his opinions; where the hell has he been?

'I have been telling you for months to mark her,' he growls, 'why haven't you listened? Touch her and try to tell me you don't feel sparks dancing along your skin.'

'I know, but...' I trail off, not knowing how to respond. 'What could happen to her if we are wrong? What will that do to her?' I ask him, curious about the repercussions if we do this and it turns out wrong.

'Nothing,' he argues again, 'because she is OURS. Damn it, human, get it thr