He gestured at the one she’d bitten and killed.
Oh. “Wish I’d known. I’d have made him suffer longer.”
Karadin laughed. “You sound like Mom.”
The Simi had no doubt about that. Katra was fierce when it came to her children. It was a family trait.
“Let’s get to them.”
Nodding, Karadin headed back to the casino while Simi made sure no demon came near him. She was the mother duckie protecting her duckling.
By the time they reached the casino, akri and the others were there.
The moment akri saw Karadin, he grabbed him into a tight hug. “Your dad told me what happened. I was just going to look for you. Are you all right?” He stepped back to examine him.
“He’s fine, akri. The Simi already checked.” She looked their group over. Akri, Sin, Kat, Mia, Tory, and Urian. “Where’s akri-copy?”
Kat pointed to the doors. “He and Bethany took off to fight demons.”
Oh …
“I’ll go join them.” Simi left before anyone could stop her. Her plan was to route demons until she found the big guy she was wanting to see more than anything, but she’d barely gone outside before she saw the main demon she’d come to see.
Thorny.
Wings spread, he flew after two Daimons.
Simi cut him off.
Thorn started to hit her, then paused as he recognized her. Disbelief swept across his face. “Simi?”
“What are you doing?” The question was barely out of her mouth before he grabbed her and vanished.
By the time Simi could see again, she was in Thorn’s home, inside his throne room. She expected him to let her go, but instead, he continued to hold her.
Simi savored the sensation. “Thorny?”
“Is it really you, Simi?”
His question confused her. How could he not know. “Of course it’s me. Why am I here?”
“Because …”
She waited for him to continue.
He didn’t.
“Thorn?”
Instead of responding, he leaned his head against hers and took a deep breath. He’d never behaved like this before. It was so peculiar to her.
“What is wrong with you?”
Thorn wanted to answer, but too many emotions rushed through him. The beast inside wanted blood.
No, it demanded blood. Craved it.
And yet …
