Demon Kissed - Katie May Page 0,109

but I speak before he can continue.

“I’m going to grab Adam, and we’re going to find a hotel to stay at.” I bite my lip against the pain splintering me, cleaving me in two. Fuck, why does this have to hurt so much? I know it’s for the best, I know it’s our only option, but it feels as if my body has been set on fire. “You guys fulfilled your end of the summons. You can leave now.”

And I’ll remain here.

Without them.

“Katrina, listen,” Van begins, but I’m already heading towards the spare room which has become Adam’s unofficial bedroom. When he places a hand on my arm, I jerk back, turning to face him as the tears finally run free.

“No, Van! Just no! I refuse to be the reason that you guys get hurt. Or worse, killed! I absolutely fucking refuse.”

None of the demons protest when I rouse a sleepy Adam up and force him into the back of Zolroth’s fancy sports car. I don’t even bother to ask if I can take it; it’s the only car in the vicinity, and I need to get away as fast as I can.

“Katrina,” Raz growls. “Don’t do this.”

“I’m not doing anything, Raz,” I whisper tiredly as I slide into the driver’s seat. Normally, I would’ve “oohed” and “awed” over this beautiful baby, but I can’t muster the will to even smile. There’s nothing remotely smile-worthy about today. “That’s the point.”

And then I back out of the driveway with my heart in my throat and tears burning my eyes.

This is for the best, Katrina, I tell myself firmly.

So why does it fucking hurt so much?

36

RAZ

Did she really think she could leave? Leave me?

Hell fucking no.

Just who the fuck does she think she is? After what we’ve shared?

My pulse palpitates as I hurl daggers with my eyes at the door she just disappeared through.

She left…taking my entire heart with her. Doesn’t she know my feelings for her? Isn’t it obvious every time I look at her—because it feels fucking obvious—my heart tries to jump through my throat, I can’t even fucking speak, and it’s all I can do not to have my eyes turn red in the middle of the gym when I see her in those damn tiny gym shorts? Every damn day, I’ve resisted the urge to shove her against the mats underneath the basketball hoops and fuck her senseless.

And every night…

Does she know how pissed I am that she has that kind of control over me? Does she have any damn clue how helpless I feel? Apparently not. Apparently, I’m gonna have to fucking spell it out for her. But I don’t spell things out with hearts and flowers. I’ll spell things out with my tongue, with my fingers. I’ll spell it out on her skin until she looks like a goddamned encyclopedia.

“Raz…” Akor’s voice is practically a whine as he stares out the window like a besotted puppy looking for his owner. “She can’t leave, can she? She can’t.”

Abruptly, the pain on his face transforms into rage. Blistering hot rage that exacerbates my own fury.

“It’s your fault!” he seethes, balling his hands into fists. “It’s your fucking fault! You shouldn’t have told her anything!”

“And let her keep living a lie?” Zolroth snorts derisively. “She would come to resent us if we started this relationship with one.”

“What relationship?!?” Akor whirls on the materialism demon. “She fucking left us!”

“She said she loved us.” Van’s voice is dreamy, almost wistful, as he blinks rapidly at the closed door.

Ignoring him for the time being, I focus solely on Akor, the more volatile demon in my murder. “She’ll come back,” I vow as his eyes flash to my face. The grin I give him is the reason that demons are whispered about by humans in stark terror. Because there’s zero kindness in my grin, only pure determination.

Baby girl, do you really think I’ll ever let you go?

ZOLROTH

My tie suddenly feels unbearably tight, cutting off my circulation.

With a disgruntled huff, I loosen it until it cascades freely over my broad shoulders.

But then, my jacket becomes too constrictive, and I shove that bloody thing off as well.

I’m pacing, my loafers wearing a hole in the living room rug, as my eyes periodically flicker to the closed door.

Why did you have to leave, love? Don’t you understand that we’re selfish, cruel beasts?

I can never let her go.

In her deluded mind, she believes that she’s doing this to save us. Protect us.

But we’re big, scary demons, and