Page 11 of Stalked By the Demon
I kiss the top of his head. “I wish we were soulmates, too.”
But he’d said he would turn human if he met his mate. And as far as I’m concerned, humans don’t exactly have giant horns sticking out of their heads.
Which means I’m not the one he’s waiting for.
5
I’m still reeling from the jaw-dropping sex by the time I stumble out of the corn maze and back to where my friends are waiting. Val jumps me immediately with a million questions, but all I can do is shake my head and plow forward to the car.
Leaving Bas was harder than I thought it would be. I’d been wrapped up in his arms when my phone pinged, telling me it was time to go. Bas practically pushed me out of the clearing himself, and I won’t lie, that hurt. Badly.
I should’ve known it wouldn’t last.
Resisting the urge to whimper pitifully, I press my face against the car window. The cool glass does nothing to soothe the deep ache in my heart.
Rationally, I know what I want is dumb. There’s no way I can spend the rest of my life living in a cornfield. Mom would be heartbroken if she never saw me again, not to mention I’ve got classes I can’t afford to skip.
I don’t care if it’s stupid. I want to be with Bas. Want to feel his calloused hands against mine, trace over his strange horns, and listen to the deep rumble of his voice every single day.
But Bas was adamant that I return.
“Once All Hallows’ Eve commences, the veil between the worlds will close, and I can no longer roam this plane. I’ll stillbe here, but inaccessible to you.” He petted the top of my head as he spoke. I almost wish he hadn’t; now that I know what it feels like, I crave more. “We will return to strangers. It’s for the best, Charlie.”
If it’s for the best, why does it feel like I’m losing a part of myself I never knew I had?
My empty apartment feels somehow lonelier and more depressing when I step into it. Not bothering to shower, I strip off my stupid costume and crawl into bed, hugging my pillow to my chest and wishing it were Bas’ strong body wrapped around mine instead.
When I wake up the next day, last night’s events feel like a dream. The sharp ache in my ass and the bruises littering my skin are the only things that let me know all those wonderful things really did happen.
I try to go back to life as normal, but how can I? Everything reminds me of him, from the lingering Hallowe’en decorations to even the fucking sight of the color yellow. When I’m slumped in my 1700s history class, Professor Andino’s words floating right over my head, all I can think about is if Bas is lonely without me.
Hanging with Val and Riley makes me miss the feeling of his lips on mine. Maybe I lied before. Iamjealous of her, but only a little.
Grumbling, I stuff another fry into my mouth and glare at the cafeteria table. A hand closes over mine.
“You okay, babes?” Val asks, her immaculately plucked eyebrows furrowed. “You’ve been moping since we got back.”
I try for a smile, but it falls flat. “Not really. Sorry, I’m being the worst friend right now.”
“Maybe a little. Riles, can you give us a minute? Me and Charlie need to talk.” She waves her boyfriend off with a sloppykiss, then turns back to me. “Come on, spill. What’s with the long face?”
I hesitate, the words dying on my tongue, glancing at her. Her pretty features are contorted into worry. For me. My heart clenches. This is Val, my best friend forever, and the only person I’d trust with something like this.
So, I tell her everything. From meeting the horned stranger in the corn maze and how he saved me from Jake, to the sense of home I get from being with him. Obviously, I leave all the stuff about him being a demon out.
Not that I don’t trust her, or that I’m worried she’ll think I’m crazy. Val’s not like that. But Bas never gave me permission to tell others.
I’m not going to oust him without his knowledge.
“Wow.” Val fans herself a little when I’m done. “You were off having fun while I was scared shitless.”
“Understatement of the year. But now he’s gone, Val, and I don’t know what to do.”
She sobers up at that, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pressing our foreheads together. It’s comforting.
“It’ll work out, Charlie. You’ve just got to believe, okay? Maybe we can find him on Insta, you just tell me his name, and I’ll get to work.”
I don’t exactly think demons have social media profiles, but I feel touched all the same. “He’s a real off-the-grid guy, Val, but thank you.”
