Awakening Kiss (Watcher's Kiss Book 4) by Sharon Kay Page B

Every scent that wafted to his nose was identifiable, and mostly consisting of the shitty chemicals in human perfumes.
    That manufactured crap didn’t hinder him. Nothing could mask an individual’s scent. No matter the species, the scent acted as an olfactory fingerprint that couldn’t be changed. And his sleuthing would always identify true lineage.
    “Looks like we’re the only predators in here.” Soren perused the crowd. “Guess those Lash demons didn’t have the night off.”
    Antonio grunted, his gaze settling on a female who appeared to be a fairy but her ears weren’t pointed like they should be. He didn’t care much either way about the Watchers. Everyone knew they had a presence in this city. Everyone on Torth knew that a group of remarkable females with elemental talent had been discovered living here last year, and all had become mated to Watchers. Now their leader Arawn had even more power to call on if he needed it.
    Yippee, skippee. Good for him.
    The discovery of the women—sisters, known as the Solsti—had sparked realm-wide curiosity and a subtle migration to the city. What other creatures might be living in Chicago, honing their incredible talent? Or maybe even totally unaware of an ability they had?
    Lots of Torth’s denizens had “extra” abilities. Ones that went beyond what a normal member of a given species could do. Some could cloak themselves in shadows. Some could exert mind control. Antonio and Soren had a sixth sense about these unique beings, and over the years had sniffed out many of them. They themselves hadn’t been born with their own species’ rare power to control lightning, but their ability to recognize the unusual had benefitted them for years, and especially recently.
    Thanks to a particularly greedy group of Ghazsul demons who were willing to pay any price for creatures they could use. Antonio and Soren merely discovered, delivered, and got paid handsomely. Though they’d signed a contract in blood to provide decades of service, and it was a nice, easy life…lately, it had become less satisfying.
    Antonio couldn’t pinpoint why. He had all conceivable comforts at his fingertips, yet the details of his life were blending together into a brew of distaste. The endless parade of cities, portal trips, handovers of supernaturals whom they took by force—the mix had congealed into something that left a sour tinge in his mind. But since their clan had indicated they had no interest in the brothers who couldn’t manipulate lightning, he wasn’t sure what else lay on the horizon.
    He now focused on the dancing fairy. “Her ears aren’t pointed. She’s either a really short human, or she had them surgically altered.”
    Soren assessed her. “Or she’s a halfling.”
    “True. Though human and fairy? That may not yield much in the way of talent.”
    “I’ll go see.” Soren set his glass down. He stalked to the dance floor, horns and tail hidden since humans populated the throng. Though when the night got late and the drinks were flowing, Soren sometimes let his magic slip, just to mess with unsuspecting homo sapiens . Getting up close to the female, he grabbed her hips and pulled her against him, then leaned down to her ear. She raised her arms and linked them behind his neck, delight on her face at the attention from a big, predatory male.
    “Hey, honey,” Antonio’s nymph cooed breathlessly, sliding into the booth and almost onto his lap. “We can’t have you sitting all alone.” She leaned in to nibble his ear and whisper, “Wanna have some fun right here? It’s so dark and private…” A tiny hand reached up to stroke along one horn, which he had hidden but she knew very well were there.
    He groaned as his cock stirred at her stimulation. Horns were so sensitive, any tactile sensation was lust-inducing. But he shoved the thought down, knowing she was a sure thing for later. “Not yet, baby.” He took her hand in his. “Not quite done here.”
    She