Page 15 of Dormeo
"Of course you will." I smirk, knowing his eagerness to consult my sister has nothing to do with politics. Of all the females, she’s the only upper-level demon here, which means she has no shortage of admirers.
While we’re distracted with this dilemma, a particularly bold demon edges closer, his forked tongue flicking out to taste the air.
“Back off,” I warn, but I see the look in his eye. He’s beyond reasoning with.
"Such power," he hisses, taking another step forward. "Surely you'll share when you're done with her? Just a taste..."
Before he can finish, my tail whips out, the pointed tip driving through his chest. He looks down in shock at where it protrudes from his heart, warm liquid dripping to the floor.
"Anyone else want a taste?" I ask pleasantly, yanking my tail free. The demon's body crumples, dissolving into ash.
The corridor clears instantly, leaving only Gaap, who watches the whole scene with mild amusement.
"Protective, aren't we?"
I wipe my tail clean on my leather trousers. "I was given a job. No one touches her."
"Mhmm. Except you." Gaap's knowing look says he doesn't believe that's my only motivation. "I'll let you know what Lily says about the fae. Try not to kill any more of the staff while I'm gone."
As he strides away, I catch movement near the ceiling, more creatures drawn to Rose's power, watching from the shadows. This babysitting assignment is becoming more complicated by the hour. And why is my father too "preoccupied" to deal with a potential supernatural uprising?
Something larger is at play here. I don’t believe in coincidences. There’s a puzzle here to be solved, I just need to figure it out before it's too late.
7
ROSE
When Ash returns, he all but forces me back to his room, assuring me that I don’t want to risk falling asleep anywhere other than safely locked in his chambers.
I heard whispers outside, the raspy voices discussing the lure of my scent. Whatever my powers do in the human realm, the effect seems to be magnified here. I’m not sure if that’s a good or a bad thing.
As I close my eyes, unable to resist sleep once more and cursing my father for drugging me, I hear the front door close and can sense that Ash is gone once more. He didn’t say goodbye is the last thought that flits through my mind as everything melts away once more.
I have no concept of how much time has passed. It could be an hour, but something tells me it’s more likely twenty-four. It’s dark again, but maybe it’s always dark here. The constant tug of drowsiness on my consciousness is frustrating, and I can’t stop worrying about when whatever my father has done to me will pass. I can’t spend the rest of my life asleep for twenty hours of the day.
Although maybe if I am about to be married off, it will be a mercy. Better to sleep than endure endless hours of boring small talk with a man I can’t stand.
Stretching, I stand, grateful to see a neat stack of clothes on the sumptuous armchair in the corner. He was in here. The thought of him being in here while I lay sleeping is both unnerving and exhilarating at the same time. With such a boring life at home, at least I can say I’ve had one adventure before being forced to be someone’s perfect wife.
If I make it home again, that is.
But that’s out of my control, so as much as I don’t love the idea of being held as collateral, this is giving me a rare opportunity to see somewhere new, to experience a world I’d never know about otherwise.
That being said, I’m quite happy to experience the supernatural realm from the safety of my new guardian’s home. If he opened those doors and said I was free to explore, I’d be slamming them shut again immediately.
I’ll stick to learning what I can from my perch at the window, and from the dark demon who’s shown surprising kindness. Picking up the soft dress and flowing cardigan he’s procured for me, I smile. A gold bracelet sits on the burgundy leather beneath, an unnecessary but pretty addition. Gruff he may be, but nobody else has ever bought me clothes and jewellery before.
I tiptoe into the expansive living area, dressed in the outfit that perfectly skims my curves more daringly than my usual clothing, but without being scandalous. Checking every dark corner to make sure that I am, indeed, on my own, I relax enough to set down the heavy iron candlestick I hide behind my back.
I’m not sure what good that will be against any of the dangerous creatures that live here, but I won’t go down without a fight if being skinned alive is on the cards.
The room is lit once more by a roaring fire in the hearth, giving the room a strangely homey feel.
Did I just call my prison in hell homey?
I must be losing my mind. Maybe the constant need to sleep isn’t the only way my brain has been affected by the drugs.
Remembering the hot flush I felt when Ash mentioned wanting to corrupt me, I wonder if that was another side effect. And the way my heart pounded as he told me all the things he’d look for in a mate.
