Page 44 of Demons In My Head: Exposing the Exiled
I took a deep breath, steeling myself for what lay ahead. I knew that the road before us was filled with danger and uncertainty, that there were battles yet to be fought and demons yet to be vanquished. But for the first time in my life, I didn't feel like I had to face those challenges alone. I had Jasper by my side, and we would face whatever came our way together.
With newfound determination, I wiped away the last of my tears and squared my shoulders. I was still raw, still vulnerable, but I was no longer afraid to admit it. I was Palmer Vale, spirit witch and spy, and I would not be defeated. Not by Slade, not by Asrael, and not by the demons of my past.
I looked at Jasper, my heart filled with gratitude and resolve. "Okay," I said, my voice steady and strong. "We have plans to make."
The bathroom door opened, and I heard Hunter laughing at something. He came into view and waved his hand, “Sorry, I just remembered that night I used my affinity to create a mini earthquake as a diversion so we could get back to our dorms after curfew.”
I laughed, remembering that night all too well. “We almost didn’t make it! And you completely demolished the fountain in the square.”
“Well, what good is having an affinity like mine if you can’t use it in times like that?”
Jasper listened intently, a faint smile on his lips, as though he was remembering something. "Sounds like you two have quite the history. So Hunter, I take it you’re an earth mage?"
“I am,” my friend nodded. “My brother is a storm mage. I can’t wait til all of this shit settles down. I really want to see what the two of us are capable of when we use our magic together.”
I groaned playfully. “Armageddon, that’s what. Two mages who are capable of creating natural disasters? Sounds totally safe.” Both Hunter and Jasper laughed at that as Hunter took a seat on the couch.
“Sounds like exactly what brothers do,” Jasper recalled fondly. He stared off, no doubt remembering something from his past, but at least this time, it was a good memory.
I eyed my healing work I’d done on Hunt and pointed to some of the places where the skin was already scarring. “I can fix these, the scars, I mean.”
“You can? What can’t you do, Vale?”
I shrugged, not really wanting to go into too much detail. “It’s not a big deal. I figured out that since a scar is dead tissue, I can manipulate it.”
“No shit?” Hunter studied the marks before shaking his head. “Nah, leave them. I think they add flair to my already devastatingly handsome appearance.”
Jasper laughed at that and agreed, while I rolled my eyes. “Devastatingly stupid men, the both of you.”
"Scars or not, it’s impressive work, darling,” Jasper said as he inspected my work for himself. “Your powers have grown significantly."
I shrugged, ignoring the darling, suddenly self-conscious under his intense gaze. "I've had a lot of practice lately."
Hunter looked between Jasper and me, clearly not ignoring the little nickname, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "So, what's the deal with you two?"
I felt my cheeks flush and avoided Jasper's gaze. How was I going to explain this? "We—"
"We're mated."
Thanks, Jasper.
My eyes widened as Hunter's jaw dropped. "You're… mated?" He said the words slowly, as though he'd misheard. A huge smile suddenly broke out across his face, and he nodded, like he knew stuff I didn't.
"Why the fuck are you smiling and nodding like that? Are you trying to look smart?" I laughed. "Because to be honest, you just look dumb as hell."
"My brother, Cam. He's mated to Saige, along with five other men. Well, four other mages, the fifth is the demon prince of Besmet."
"Wait, what?" I leaned forward, my eyes wide. "Your brother's… mate… is mated tosixpeople? Including the demon prince?"
A ghostly crash echoed through the room as Jasper literally fell through the coffee table. His form flickered wildly, like a TV with bad reception. "Bram? Are you certain?"
Hunter nodded, looking between us with raised eyebrows. "Yeah, Cam's one of Saige's mates. Along with Kai, Fischer, Faris, and Sloane. And yeah, Prince Bram himself." He winced as he shifted his position. "They're all in Besmet right now, actually. Saige was having some difficulties with her pregnancy, so they kind of had to get answers. She's half demon, half witch."
"Tell me everything," Jasper demanded, his form solidifying as he floated closer to Hunter. There was a ferocity in his gaze I hadn't witnessed until now. "A witch is carrying the spawn of a demon? What is happening? And Bram... He was my friend. One of my closest friends before..."
"Before Asrael killed you?" I finished softly. Jasper's pain rippled through our bond, sharp and raw.
Hunter's eyes widened. "Holy shit. Asrael's the one who killed you?" He let out a low whistle. "Man, this is some fucked up soap opera level drama."
