Page 21 of To Crave Madly
“I think you’d be surprised.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, but she nodded. “Okay. I will try.”
“Good. I will have the same conversation with Lori if you can give her back to me.”
She nodded again but I could tell some of the fire dimmed in her eyes. To her, this was the equivalent of going back into a dark box.
“Don’t be silent in there.” I flicked her forehead affectionately. “Lori needs a chance to get to know you.”
“Don’t let her keep me in the dark, Torsten,” she begged.
“I won’t, little Hell Cat.” She beamed up at me at the nickname. That was a mistake. I shouldn’t get attached. I scowled back down at her, but her grin just widened. “Go on, be off with you.”
“Bye, Torsten,” she said, chuckling before her eyes rolled back into her head and her body crumpled towards the floor. I lurched forward to catch her in my arms before she hit the floor. Maybe I should talk to them about lying down to do the whole mind swap thing; it certainly seemed like a more sensible thing to do.
A groan emanated from her and my hand cupped the back of her head, so it wasn’t lolling back on her shoulders.
“Mistress?” I asked softly.
“Torsten?”
Her eyes opened and I knew Lori was back. They had a softer look in them and a glow that had me wanting to bask in their warmth. I had always been kept at arm’s length from any kind of affection and I worried about the effect that her need to protect me would have over me. In my head, I knew she was just being nice, but something about that had me wanting to step out of the shadows for her and that was a dangerous thought to have.
She groaned again. “Why do I feel like I’ve been through the ringer?”
“Your demon took a little persuading. I apologise for my rough handling of you, Mistress.”
A sweet smile played about her mouth as she looked up at me with gratitude in her eyes. “Thank you for bringing me back, Torsten. I didn’t think I would make it back for a moment there.”
I stood her upright on her feet and reluctantly let her go. “Iveri is a little feisty, but she has been unable to breathe for so long that she is angry and scared. I think you just need to talk to her and find a way to help her see the light.”
“Iveri? Is that her name?”
“Yes. I am going to speak to Lucifer and find her lineage. I think the more we know about her, the more we can help.”
Hope sparked in her eyes. “You’re going to see Lucifer? May I come?”
“You do not need to ask, Mistress. Although I don’t think he will be happy about it.”
She laughed. “I imagine he won’t be.”
I shook my head at her. She was almost as much trouble as her demon. She never seemed happier than when she was about to cause chaos.
“Mistress—”
Something thudded into my side, knocking me forwards but I burst into shadows before it could do any damage. Great. The vampire had decided to join us. He fell through my dark phantom form, catching himself before he hit the ground. He spun back around, baring his fangs and fixing me with his murderous black eyes.
He had caught me by surprise. He would not get another chance.
I widened my stance, ready to pounce on this annoying creature when Lori stepped between us, light blasting from her fingertips and knocking the vampire and I backwards off our feet.
She was magnificent. All fire and rage and violence.
“Enough!” Her voice boomed through the arena and the ground trembled beneath my feet. “Once you’ve finished discovering that being a dick doesn’t actually make them bigger, then come and find us.” She fixed us with one final scowl before heading in the direction of the base.
I looked over at the vampire sprawled in the dirt and laughed. She had said “us” and not even realised it. That was definitely a step in the right direction for her and I was determined to get her to unite with Iveri, especially if it meant I could have a run-in or two with the vampire along the way. I think I would rather enjoy that.
Chapter 5
