Page 33 of Demon Daddy's Baby Girl

The scar tissue feels rough beneath my fingertips. A map of everything I'm running from. Everything I fear becoming again.

15

ROLFO

Imove methodically through the market square, watching. Always watching. It's what I do best—seeing things others miss. The morning crowd pulses around me, demons haggling over fresh dreelk and spiced meats, merchants calling their wares. I nod at Thorn, the fruit vendor who tips me off to pickpockets, and sidestep a group of matrons comparing fabric swatches from the eastern merchants.

The crowd parts briefly, and that's when I spot them.

Two figures in dark cloaks moving against the flow of traffic. Their hoods are pulled low, but I catch the gleam of obsidian horns beneath the fabric. My veteran eyes immediately catalog the weapons—too many for casual carry. The slight bulge at the hip where a crossbow rests. The twin daggers barely concealed at each thigh. The outline of throwing stars strapped to their forearms.

Bounty hunters.

My muscles tense automatically. I've spent enough years in the shadows to recognize predators when I see them. I drift closer, keeping my movements casual, just another guard on patrol. They've stopped a merchant—Grayvis, who sells herbs and tinctures.

"Human female," one says, his voice a low growl. "Auburn hair. Hazel eyes. Would've been heavily pregnant a few weeks back."

The cold that floods my veins has nothing to do with the morning air. They're looking for Aurelie.

Grayvis shakes his head. "Haven't seen any humans in months."

I duck behind a vendor's stall, keeping them in my sightline.

"What about a baby?" the second hunter asks. "Human infant, newborn. Seen one of those?"

Sephy. My hands curl into fists, claws digging into my palms. The pain centers me, keeps the rage at bay. If these bottom-feeders think they're getting anywhere near Aurelie or her daughter, they'll leave this market in pieces.

They move to the next merchant, asking the same questions. Kaelith must have put out the contract. The thought of that pompous bastard makes my blood boil. I've heard stories about him—none good.

I need backup. Not because I couldn't handle these two myself, but because I need this done officially. Clean. No loose ends that could lead back to Aurelie.

I slip through the crowd toward the guard headquarters at the edge of the market. Dezoth will be there. He might be a cold bastard most days, but he runs the most disciplined unit in the city, and we've worked together enough times for me to trust his discretion.

The headquarters buzzes with activity when I push through the doors. Guards coming off night shift, others preparing for patrol. I spot Dezoth immediately, his imposing frame bent over a map, silver cord glinting in his black hair.

"Captain," I say, approaching his table. "Got a situation in the market."

His golden eyes flick up, pupils narrowing as they adjust to the interior light. "Steelclaw." His voice is clipped, efficient. "What kind of situation?"

"Bounty hunters. Two of them. Armed heavily and asking about a human woman and infant. Outside their jurisdiction, making civilians uncomfortable."

I don't mention Aurelie by name. Don't need to. The slight stiffening in Dezoth's shoulders tells me he understands the implication.

"Show me," he says, straightening to his full height, a good couple inches taller than me.

We move through the streets with purpose. Guards part to let Dezoth through—the effect of earned respect. The market comes into view, and I spot the hunters still working their way through the stalls.

"There," I nod toward them. "The pair in cloaks."

Dezoth's eyes narrow. "Wait here."

"I will not," I growl.

His mouth twitches—the closest thing to amusement I've ever seen from him. "Fine. Flank right."

We approach the hunters from opposite sides. They sense Dezoth first—his authority radiates like heat. The shorter one turns, hand instinctively moving toward a weapon before freezing when he recognizes the captain's insignia.

"Gentlemen," Dezoth says, voice cold as mountain ice. "You appear to be heavily armed for a simple shopping trip."

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