Demon Warriors 4: Takeo by Lynn Hagen

to make sure the human was safe, but Takeo had found himself going to Kamiko’s room when he was lonely, hurt, or just needed someone to talk to. The man had always made him feel better by the time he left.
    And this was how Takeo repaid him.
    Takeo rose from the bed, ready to do something he’d never done before in his life. He was ready to grovel at Kamiko’s feet.
    Takeo’s heart seized in his chest when he walked into the living room and saw the open door.
    Kamiko was gone.

Chapter Eleven

    Wayland scratched his chin as he stared at Kamiko. “You want me to do what?”
    “I want you to take me home.”
    Wayland pointed toward the door. “It’s one flight up. If you need help, I can give you a map.”
    Kamiko rolled his eyes as he flopped down on Wayland’s couch.
    Wayland skirted the room, not wanting to get anywhere near Takeo’s mate. Takeo wasn’t right in the head, and he wasn’t about to piss the man off.
    Normally he wouldn’t have given a shit, but he knew how Takeo felt about his mate. Being with Kamiko seemed to bring everything aggressive that Takeo possessed to the surface. Wayland knew how the warrior had grown up, and he didn’t want any part of this.
    “Don’t be an ass. I know where Takeo lives.” Wayland snorted as he tucked his arms over his chest. “Then elaborate because I’m confused as hell.”
    “Take me to Zeus’s pack,” Kamiko stated as he stood. “A shadow will do.”
    Wayland dropped his arms as his eyes shot wide open. “You’re running away? Why? And why in the hell did you come to me? I knew we got along famously, but you don’t have to sentence me to death.”
    “It’s complicated. Are you going to do it or not?” Kamiko asked as he headed toward the door. “I can always find another ride back if you’re too much of a coward.”
    The guy knew how to throw a damn punch. That was for sure.
    Wayland wasn’t a damn coward, and he didn’t like to be called one.
    “Fine, but when he comes after me, I’m squealing.”
    “Whatever,” Kamiko mumbled as he closed the distance, grabbing Wayland’s arm. “Let’s go.”
    God, you’re a dumbass. “Let’s go, Dorothy. Kansas awaits.”

    * * * *

    Takeo roared as he went after Wayland again. The only thing that stopped him from removing the warrior’s head was Panahasi. “So you just took him?”
    “He asked nicely…and he called me a coward.”
    “Seriously?” Takeo shouted as he tried once again to get at Wayland. “You’re telling me he pressured you into taking him by calling you names? Are you fucking stupid? Constantine already got to him once. You just left him defenseless, you bastard!”
    “I did not! The wolves are protecting him,” Wayland countered.
    “Wolves, shifters, against a fucking demon!” Takeo was about to have an aneurysm. “Think about it, Wayland. Do you honestly think they are a match for him?”
    Takeo had enough. He walked to the closest shadow and thought of his mate. He thought of Kamiko’s bright smile and beautiful bedroom eyes.
    Tense and nervous, Takeo looked around. It wasn’t Kamiko’s old room in Zeus’s pack. He wasn’t sure where he was, but Takeo saw his mate sitting on his knees in front of a window, staring out as if he were a statue.
    He didn’t move, even though Takeo knew his mate felt his presence.
    The room was beautifully decorated. There was a large four-poster bed that sat in the middle of the room with sheer curtains pulled aside on either side of it. There was an oriental rug with colorful and intricate patterns on the floor and a large mahogany armoire across the room. Beautiful colors splashed across the walls and incense was burning, giving off a honey-and-jasmine scent that filled Takeo’s lungs.
    “Where are we?” Takeo asked in a whisper.
    Kamiko continued to stare out of the window, neither moving nor acknowledging him. Takeo could hear his heart breaking as he saw the pain etched on Kamiko’s handsome face. He had done that. He was