Page 29 of Demon's Bane

Seeing those girls is another kick in my already-tender chest.

It’s another reminder that I am not, in fact, ten years old anymore, and I have no more stars in my eyes when it comes to the coven.

I’m standing alone, mostly disconnected from the coven of witches around me, clinging irrationally to a community that hasn’t really felt like mine for over fifteen years.

There’s no more time to contemplate it, though, or to do any more witch-watching as the Veil changes right before our eyes. The pearly, swirling mist inside pulses a deep red, and a wave oftenderness tugs hard on my chest as I spot my single reason for being here tonight.

Allie.

She steps out of the Veil arm-in-arm with her demon husband Eren, and a hush falls over the assembled witches. A sharp, satisfied smile breaks over my face at the awe in that silence, the respect. Every single witch here knows what Allie did, how her actions recast the bargain and kept both our realms stable, and seeing her get her due makes me so damn proud.

Even if knowing she just came from an entirely different realm also makes me feel like I’m about to break out in nervous hives. I study her anxiously as she exits the Veil, but find I have nothing to worry about.

Allie looks great. Happy. Powerful. Her gaze finds me in the crowd and she gives me a quick wink before she and Eren step to where the coven leaders are waiting to speak with the king and queen of the demon realm. I’m too far away to hear what they’re saying, but I can see that Allie is doing most of the talking.

Eren stands slightly behind her, an arm wrapped protectively around her waist. He scans the crowd, the council, keeping an eye on their surroundings.

When he doesn’t find any threat amongst the gathered witches, he glances back down at his queen.

And, oh Goddess, the look in his crimson eyes.

Even from as far away as I’m standing, it’s impossible to miss. Equal parts adoration and heat, possession and affection, like the moon rises and falls in her eyes.

Allie, like she can sense his look, glances up at him and smiles.

In that smile is all the reassurance I need to know my best friend is right where she needs to be. Eren gives her waist a squeeze, she leans into his embrace, and even when she resumesher conversation with the coven leaders the connection between the two of them is undeniable.

Back at the Veil, a few more demons have stepped curiously through into the human realm. They’re a mixture of male and female, a variety of heights and ages. All have the same kind of wings, tails, horns, and the red eyes that Eren does, but other than that, each one’s appearance is as unique as one human to another.

They watch the witches, the witches watch them, and the magick of the Veil sings and burbles happily, knowing its new bargain is being fulfilled.

After another minute or two, Allie finishes whatever she needed to say to the council, and Esme turns to address the full Crescent Coven.

“Sisters,” she says, voice magickally carrying in the balmy summer night. “We thank all of you who have agreed to cross the Veil this night and fulfill the bargain Allison and Eren Ashblood recast to keep both our realms in balance.”

More brides for more demons. An exchange that keeps the demon realm supplied in witchmagick and prevents them from needing to cross to ours to make bargains with unsuspecting mortals to reap the magick of their souls.

All because of Allie. Because she was brave enough and strong enough when even her own mother didn’t believe in her.

The witches who are stepping through the Veil tonight come forward to make introductions with the demons waiting for them. As they do, I watch Allie lean up to say something into Eren’s ear, then nod in my direction before the two of them break from the crowd.

My heart feels about three times bigger than normal in my chest as they walk over, and threatens to burst completely when Allie closes the last couple of steps in a run and throws her arms around me.

Goddess, I needed this hug.

When we pull back, I put my hands on Allie’s shoulders, looking her up and down.

“Still in one piece?”

Her answering smile is sunny and joyful. “Never better. And I wanted to officially introduce you to my husband… damn, that still feels weird to say.”

I hold out my hand, but Eren goes straight for a bone-cracking hug of his own, lifting me off my feet for a moment before setting me down with a wide grin.

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” he says in a deep, warm voice. “After hearing so much about you, I was sorry we did not have the chance to be introduced before.”

I snort a laugh. “Well, you guys were a little busy.”

Between recasting the bargain and saving both our realms’ asses and putting Esme right in her place, I can probably find it in me to forgive them for not having time to chat.

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