“Is she a therapist?” Because I could probably use some. Probably meaning definitely.
“Counseling is a solid idea.” Holly gives me a supportive smile. “And the person to talk to about that is Dr. Schaeffer. She’s wise and knowledgeable and very kind. A great doctor. Everyone in town loves her. We can go to her office later and I’ll introduce you.”
“I’d appreciate that, but not today. After I’m officially settled.”
“Added to a list for another day,” she says.
“Thanks. So, if Lexi isn’t a counselor, then how is she going to help me get comfortable with myself?”
Giggling hard enough that she starts hiccupping, Holly waves her hand in front of her face while taking some deep breaths. “Lexi owns Every Witch Way. It’s a sex-toy business.”
“That’s not the kind of self-help I need.” Even as I say it, my cheeks grow hot. The truth is, I wouldn’t know if it’d help because I’ve never owned any toys. Not even a basic vibrator. I was inexperienced and naïve when I met Bart, and he never encouraged me to explore my body or my pleasure.Myorgasms were never his priority.
“You’resored,” she says, giggling. “Sex toys aren’t something to be embarrassed about. And I promise you, Lexi’s products will put anything you’ve had to shame. They’re all anatomically correct replicas created from molds of actual people—primarilythe nonhuman variety—and they’re all bespelled with magic to make them satisfaction-guaranteed with every use.”
My jaw feels as if it has unhinged and the bottom portion is dangling somewhere around my knees. “The same magic that protects the town is used to make sex toys?”
“Noooo.That’s the Oracle’s magic. Lexi uses witch magic.”
“Witches are…real? I mean, I guess that shouldn’t surprise me after meeting and seeing so many different species today.”
At the front entrance of the veterinary clinic, she pulls the wide door open. “There are several witches in Fate’s Falls. Their magics aren’t always the same, but they’re all powerful in their own way.”
“This town is going to take getting used to.”
“Says the human with the hots for a hell demon.” Holly’s laughter draws the attention of a client in the waiting area, a massive man with a single, oversized eye.
Before I can formulate a response other than staring at the cyclops, or general sputtering, a demon—not identical to Amazra, but similar—enters the space from an adjoining treatment room. Dressed in medical scrubs, he must be the veterinarian, my potential future boss, Dr. Daemon.
“I’d say I’m not surprised at the attraction, but since I haven’t had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, I assume I’m not the hell demon Holly is referencing. Yet.” Unlike Amazra, this demon speaks more like humans do. And smiles at me. And openly checks me out.
“Nope. Don’t even think about it.” Holly steps in front of me. “Lilah is here solely so you can hire her.”
“And what am I hiring her for?” There’s no disputing Holly’s demand, just amusement in his tone and flickering ember eyes.
“To replace Caitlin.”
As if summoned, a very pregnant young woman with “Caitlin” embroidered on her scrub top enters from what mustbe a restroom, given the sound of a toilet flushing when the door opens. Holly told me the vet’s current assistant was about to go on maternity leave, but she didn’t tell me that could literally be any minute now.
“Did I hear correctly?” Caitlin asks after waddling over to stand beside the demon doctor. “Because I’m ready to get off my feet and pop out this cub.”
Cub.Interesting word choice, and one I’d bet wasn’t used in a generally cutesy way, even though Caitlan looks human. So does Holly—until she doesn’t.
“Caitlin is a wolf shifter,” Holly says, answering my silent musing.
Rubbing her big baby bump, Caitlin sighs while looking off into the distance. “My mate is the pack alpha.” Her gaze returns to my face and she smiles. “We’re going to fill our house with cubs, so you don’t have to worry about me wanting my job back. Ever. And now I won’t have to feel guilty about leaving!”
“See? You’re Caitlin’s hero, in addition to being mine.” Holly gives me a big smile, then focuses her attention on her boss. “And she’s about to be yours too, Daemon. Lilah is a veterinary technician, and obviously a skilled one because she saved Max’s life while he was in fox form, dying in the woods beyond the boundary. She thought he was a wild animal but didn’t hesitate to act quickly and compassionately. She basically did surgery in the middle of nowhere, removing a bullet using the supplies from a medical kit she had in her backpack while hiking.”
Dr. Daemon’s rugged brow line rises. “Is that accurate?”
“It is. I’m great at my job.” My skills as a vet tech are the one thing I’ve never lost confidence in.
Now that I’ve met him, I can see why Dauphine—and many others, based on the conversation in the bakery—find Dr. Daemon sexually appealing. But I don’t, even though there’s a resemblance to Amazra. The moment I met Amazra, everythingtingled. With Daemon, nada. Zero sparks. Proof that I’m not attracted to hell demons in general. Just one.
Silent and holding my gaze, he draws a deep breath.
From her place in front of me, Holly groans with an exaggerated exhale. “Must you, Daemon?”
