“Just imagining what it’ll be like when we’re both happily mad together in our old age.”
21
A DEMON UNLEASHED
Ro
It’s official. I figured things were going this direction, but it’s undeniable now. I’ve found my calling: to protect Lor. Protect her from those who would use and abuse her, but also protect her from herself. From her own self-deprecating thoughts, her inclination to not take care of herself, her disregard of her own physical and emotional safety.
It puts a bounce in my step as I head back out to the bar. I want to protect her future and allow her to grow. I want to nurture her joy so she can be the best version of herself, and live a long, happy life. I also want to protect her from the madness she’s so fearful of, although I’m not sure if that one’s possible. The mental health stuff doesn’t bother me one way or another, but I don’t like how she treats herself with regards to it. So at the very least, I’ll protect her from being mean to herself about it.
For all I care, we can go mad together.
That actually sounds kind of fun. My inner demon picks its head up with interest, reigniting the wild grin on my face.
I wasn’t lying before. I do think we’re a good match.
“What the fuck, man,” Finn says. “I don’t mind covering for you for a minute, but you can’t just disappear like that.”
“Sorry,” I say, slapping him on the back. “Something came up.”
“If it was your dick I’m gonna be pissed.”
I let out a guffaw and throw him a wink. “No, it wasn’t, and stop asking after my dick. I’m taken.”
“Why do I put up with you?” he grumbles.
“Because I’ll share my tips as a thank you?”
He flicks his eyes to the ceiling with a reluctant grin and steps out from behind the bar, heading to the side stage where his DJ booth is set up.
“Thanks for covering!”
He raises his hand in an almost-wave, then lowers all but his middle finger as he glances over his shoulder. I throw up a hand-heart, and he rolls his eyes so hard this time I worry they might not recover.
I shrug, then step up to the first of a few customers waiting at the bar. It doesn’t take too long to fill their drinks, but I’m starting to wonder if Lor is ever going to emerge, or if I should go check on her. Just as I’m getting antsy, she drifts out from the back room and eases her way to the far corner of the bar, sliding onto a stool.
I drop off a glass of water, but when I ask if she wants anything else, she simply shakes her head with a tiny, polite smile. I’ve never known Lor to be polite, and it would worry me if I wasn’t aware of the emotional rollercoaster we just went on together.
I keep an eye on her over the next couple of hours, refilling her water as needed. She seems to be in her own head, and I assume she’s thinking things over. I don’t blame her for needing some time to process through it all; I know I’ll be doing the same as soon as I get a chance.
I am glad she stayed, though.
Eventually Lor raises her glass to catch my attention. I dart over and angle my head to hear her over the music.
“I’m gonna head home,” she murmurs.
I nod. “You okay?”
“Yeah,” Lor says. She reaches out to rest her hand on mine, sending a frisson of warmth through my body. “I’m okay.”
My heart feels tender, and I slowly lean across the bar, stopping a mere inch from her lips to give her time to pull away if she wants to. She doesn’t, so I press a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth, then whisper in her ear before I pull away.
“Sleep well, Starfire.”
I spend the rest of my shift trying not to contemplate murder as images of those goons and their boss rattle through my brain. I settle on fire as an acceptable alternative, and devise a strategy for scoping out the area tonight and tomorrow, then setting my plan into motion.
As soon as my shift ends, I clean up faster than I ever have, and nearly sprint outside to my bike.
