“A demon having a human child?”
“I’m half demon. I’ve only ever lived in the human realm, but my father told me about my mother. I decided it was time to meet her.”
“What was your father’s name?”
“Matthew. Matthew Robinson. They met in the human realm, and apparently, it was love at first sight for him. I’m not sure how she felt about him because I’ve never met her.”
“Would you want to?”
“It’s why I’m here.”
She stared at him until he wanted to squirm, but he forced himself to stay still. He had no idea what was going on, but considering this was the queen, she could probably help. He hoped she could, anyway. He wasn’t sure what else to do to find his mother.
Eventually, the demon smiled. It was a little scary, with her fangs and everything, but it made her even more beautiful. It also sent a shiver down Justin’s spine.
“What’s your name?” she asked.
“Justin Robinson.”
“Well, Justin Robinson, I have good news for you.”
Justin perked up. “Really?”
“Really. You’re here to find your mother, and you have. Welcome home, son.”
Mynor groanedwhen the kick landed on his kidneys. He needed those to live, dammit. He was tempted to try to protect them, but from experience, he knew it was better if he stayed curled upand protected his front. His stomach was still bruised from the beating he’d received a few days ago—or at least, he thought it had been a few days. He’d completely lost track of time.
The guard beating him sucked in a breath. The demon was panting, and Mynor was tempted to make a joke about him being out of shape. He might have if he hadn’t felt like he was about to throw up, although it might be fun to throw up in the guy’s face.
The sound of a door opening gave the guard pause. Mynor took the opportunity to take a deep breath and try to slide away, but there was nowhere for him to go. He was stuck in his cell.
“What?” the guard who’d been beating him barked out.
“I have his food.”
“Just put it somewhere.”
The guard who just arrived shook his head. “You won’t believe what’s happening.”
Mynor rolled his eyes, relieved that neither of the guards was paying him attention right now. They were worse than old ladies. The amount of gossip Mynor had heard since he’d been locked up was something he could have done without. He didn’t care which guards were sleeping together, even though one of them was married, or what everyone else thought of it. He certainly didn’t care about their complaints about how hard their job was and how they should get paid more for it.
The guard who’d been beating him spat on the grounds next to him and stepped toward the cell door. Mynor didn’t move. He waited until the second guard had set the tray down by the cell entrance and the cell door was closed again before rolling onto his back and staring at the ceiling.
Fuck, that hurt.
“Well?” the violent guard—Pythom if Mynor remembered right, but he didn’t really care—said.
The other one leaned against the wall. “I heard from Melom, who heard from Graman, that they picked up this guy in town. It was clear that he didn’t belong because he’s not a full demon, so they thought they’d bring him to Anya so she could have fun, you know? Turns out, the guy’s her son.”
Pythom gasped. “Anya has a son?”
“Looks like it because that’s what she called him. Well, it’s what Graman said she called him, anyway. He was the only one with them there, so I think it’s true.”
“Or he could be lying. You know how he is. Always trying to get people’s attention.”
Mynor moved slowly so he wouldn’t get noticed. He sat up, and when the guards still didn’t look his way, moved toward the tray that had been abandoned by the entrance. He wrinkled his nose at the dry bread and what looked like moldy stew. It wasn’t like he had a choice. It was either eat or starve, and even though he kind of wanted to die right now, he didn’t want to give Anya the satisfaction. She’d have to kill him if she wanted him gone.
She would.
