He’s where I left him when I return with Lenora in my arms, but he is nothing like the creature I’ve seen so far. Every barb and blade, every wild bit of madness is on full display. He is truly a demon with blood on his teeth and in his talons, though I don’t know from where, nor do I care as I step into the room.
In a blink, it’s all gone. The razor blades and knives vanish. His talons snap back into their beds as he takes her from me. The red in his eyes remains, but it’s clouded with a panic I feel to my own soul.
He’s gentle as he settles her on the bed. His hands brush back her hair and smooths over her as if searching for injuries.
“Wake her. Wake her!” he roars when I don’t move.
Ignoring his command, I hurry into the bathroom and soak a cloth with cold water. I return to him nuzzling the side of her face, murmuring something I can’t hear, but sounds like pleading. Maybe a prayer.
This reaction raises questions I don’t have time for when Lenora needs my focus. I tuck it away for later analysis. Instead,I take her other side and lightly press the cloth to her cheeks. Her brow. I dab it along her throat.
“Linny?” I whisper.“Réveille-toi, mon amour.”
She doesn’t stir. Even her eyelids are still. If it wasn’t for the slow, rhythmic motions of her chest…
“What happened?” The demon interrupts my thoughts.
I shake my head. “She came to my office like that. Said she wasn’t feeling well.”
His face tilts down to her again, searching. Hands brushing and roaming. He checks every inch of her like he might find a clue, but I don’t think he’s going to find any.
“Something happened downstairs,” I tell him, though I don’t know why. It just seems important and I need to tell someone.
I have his attention, but I don’t know how to begin.
A month ago, I never believed in demons and curses. None of this is logical or safe, but there is a literal demon on my bed. Lenora is pregnant with a baby that defies modern medicine. There are two other demons somewhere in the house. If anyone is going to understand what I saw downstairs and believe me, it’s probably this asshole.
“Can…” I break off, feeling ridiculous.
“What?” he snaps when I take too long.
I peer down at Lenora, steeling my nerves.
“Can you tell if she’s possessed?”
He’s still and too silent for far longer than is a comfort. Tendrils of black have begun to snake through the red, but not completely.
“What are you talking about?”
Fantastic. Even the demon from hell thinks I’ve lost my mind.
In too deep to turn back, I tell him exactly what I saw.
The black vanishes and I am inches from a creature not of this world. A monster that relishes the taste of blood. There isa venom that rolls off his tongue with his snarl that I feel crawl beneath my skin.
“Stay with her,” he growls. “Do not leave her. Do not fall asleep until I return.”
I had no intentions of doing either, but I nod and watch him shove off the bed. He stalks to the wall of mirrors and pauses. His head turns back over his shoulder to where Lenora lies still and his nostrils flare. The sight of her seems to spur him the rest of the way through the glass.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Veyn
Ihaveneverbeenmerciful.
Even before my isolation, I offered only what was deserved. Justice. I created balance.
But to be betrayed, to have my own brother attempt to kill me is a crime I will not allow. However, touching Lenora, hurting her, using her to hurt me…
