Rey took a step back, tilting his head. He knew me well. "Hiding your light under a bushel for a couple thousand years? That was a great trick. I've got to hand it to you."
I snorted, some of the tension draining from my jaw. "Don't get too cocky, Foxman. I've still got a few surprises up my sleeve."
Rey's grin turned wicked, his hazel eyes sparkling with challenge. "Is that so? Well then, keep an eye out, because now I have to do one twice as good to you."
Cathy, who’d been listening quietly, groaned, shaking her head in mock despair. "You’ve created a monster."
They exited the room, and I paused a moment before I followed, fighting the urge to twitch my tail in agitation. Of course, my tail wasn't actually present at the moment, but old habits die hard. I wasn't sure whether to feel relieved that my secret was finally out in the open, or paranoid about the potential consequences.
When I made my way into the hall, Edward suddenly appeared in front of me. I pulled up short, narrowing my eyes at the daemon. "What do you want, Edward?"
He shifted his weight from foot to foot, looking uncharacteristically uncertain. "I was wondering if I could crash on your couch for a few days."
I raised an eyebrow, folding my arms across my chest. "And why, exactly, can't you crash on your own couch?"
Edward glanced around the room, as if making sure no one else was listening. "I'm worried the Council might come after me, that kicking me out wasn’t enough. I need a place to lay low for a while."
I studied him for a long moment, trying to gauge his sincerity. Edward was a wild card, and I wasn't entirely sure I could trust him. But at the same time, I didn’t want to leave him out in the cold.
Tomorrow, I’d pawn him off on Rey. It was surprising he hadn’t made the request of one of the others.
I sighed, setting a hand on my hip. "Fine. You can stay with me. But only until I find you another place, and you'd better not cause any trouble."
Edward's shoulders stiffened, and he nodded at me. "Thanks. I owe you one."
I waved him off, already regretting my decision. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't piss me off."
As we walked out of the Repupair offices together, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was missing something. If I had, I’d find out soon enough.
As we reached my black SUV, I finally turned to face him, my arms crossed over my chest. "You want to tell me what's really going on here, Edward? Because I'm not sure I buy this whole 'the Council is after me' routine."
Edward shifted uncomfortably, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. "I told you, Rissa. I stood against them at the goblin king’s wedding, and now I'm worried they might retaliate."
I narrowed my eyes, studying his face for any sign of deceit. "And you've been bouncing around from place to place since? Why not just stay with one of them? We aren’t friends."
He sighed, running a hand through his close-cropped red hair. "I don't want to put anyone in real danger. You're the only one I trust to handle the Council if they come knocking. Plus, I feel like they won’t think of you in the list of places I might stay."
I snorted, shaking my head. "Flattery will get you nowhere. But fine, I'll buy your story for now."
2
RISSA
The city lightsblurred as I pulled out of the underground parking garage, leaving Repupair's offices behind. I gripped the steering wheel, my knuckles white against the leather.
"So, how did you dodge the hunt when the others were banished?" Edward asked, breaking the silence.
I let out a long breath. "Really? You expect me to answer that?"
Edward raised an eyebrow. "Yes? It’s an academic curiosity."
"It can stay that way." I snorted. "You daemons are powerful as a group, yeah, but as a group you’re not as smart as you think you are."
"How so?"
I drummed my fingers on the wheel, choosing my words carefully. "Edward, we’re not friends, and you asking questions like that does not help your case for borrowing my couch."
Edward chuckled. "Point taken. So you're content just being... normal?"
