Briar enters my room and does a quick scan of the area before crossing her arms under her breasts and eyeing me with suspicion. I take my time recreating the shield on the door,imbuing it with a few extra levels of protection since we’re in for the day and soundproofing the room for good measure.
“Is this private enough? We might as well rip the bandage off now,” she mutters under her breath.
“I’ve warded the entrance and made sure we won’t be overheard.” I offer her a seat with a wave of my hand, but she shakes her head in denial. I lower myself to the cushions.
Her body shifts, ensuring she’s directly in front of me at all times. I doubt she’s even aware she does it.
“What would you like to know first?”
That question seems to catch her off guard, because her brows furrow in confusion. “I… I’m not sure. No one has ever given me a choice like that. It’s a lot to think about.”
Taking the lead, I tell her, “I knew the demon would never hurt you, that is why I left him to care for you.”
“Watch me,” she amends, replacing my words with her own.
“If that is what you want to call it, yes, but it was to keep you safe,” I concede. This seems to make her even more suspicious, because her amber eyes narrow to little slits. Even as tiny as she is, she seems formidable, or maybe she only looks that way to me because I know how easy it would be for her to control me with just a few simple words. Keeping her safe will always be my top priority, but keeping her satisfied is a very close second.
“If it was so important to keep me safe, then why did you leave? What was more important?” She begins pacing in front of me, and I can’t take my eyes off her.
“The measure of importance was weighed with anger. What seemed important then isn’t now,” I hedge. I don’t know how she will feel when she learns I have her father locked away under the earth, being tormented as we speak. She could hate it and want me to let him go, or as she stated earlier, she could want to watch me hurt him.
“I’d rather you be straightforward and tell me you’re not going to answer than answer in riddles.”
“I don’t think I will answer you right now.”
“But you might later?” she mocks in a cheeky tone.
“It’s a possibility.”
“Which means it’s also more likely you won’t. Why leave me with someone you hate if you say it’s to protect me?” She slows her steps as if this answer is important to her.
“How we feel about each other doesn’t matter. Iknewhe would do anything necessary to protect you. That’s what matters.”
“That doesn’t make sense. Why would he protect me?” She points at me. “Or do what you ask if he hates you? It seems like the easiest way to piss you off is to do the opposite.”
“In this, his desire to protect you would be stronger.”
“Why? Is he loyal to the school or the headmistress?”
I could allow her to think that by just not answering her, but the truth will come out soon, and I would rather she not be pissed at me for misleading her.
“No, the demon’s loyalty is to you alone.”
“Me?” She gapes. “Why the hell would he be loyal to me? The male acts as if I’m noxious. I can’t get within five feet of him before he backs away like I’m contagious.”
It’s good to know he’s taking the proper precautions, but… “Why were you trying to get close to him?”
“I wasn’t trying to get close to him,” she scoffs. “It’s just obvious when he jumps backward the moment I get within reach, like he thinks I’m going to try to grab him or something.”
“He was afraid of just that.”
She scowls. “I wasn’t going to touch him, and I don’t have a disease.”
“His touch kills, little flower. Anything he touches dies painfully.” My statement seems to take the wind out of her sails, and she visibly deflates as she shrinks in on herself.
“Why?” Her pitch is colored with horror.
“That’s his ability.”
