I whirl on Kastros, vitriol spewing from my eyes.
“What the hell was that?” I demand, throwing my hands up into the air.
He grunts, rolling his eyes, but I refuse to let him dismiss it this easily.
“Seriously, Kastros, what was that? Why did you sign me up?” The anger drains from me quicker than water down a sink as my body physically deflates. “You know that I’m not able to do that type of shit. An overnight stay? In a different state?” I scoff once, and this time, the anger bleeding from my voice is directed solely at my parents. “I can’t leave Adam alone for that long.”
The demon’s eyes harden, resembling chips of obsidian, as he begins to sign. Unlike last time at my house, it isn’t demonic sign language or whatever the hell you call it. It’s regular ASL, and though I’m rusty, I’m able to piece together what he’s saying fairly easily.
You deserve this.
“Kastros, no.”
He continues signing before I can finish my thought. You do, Katrina. You deserve this and so much more. Why do you constantly hold yourself back when you deserve the world? I don’t think it’s Adam stopping you from going.
“You don’t know what you’re—”
I think it’s fear, he continues on, his scowl deepening.
I want to tell him that his face will get stuck like that, but it’s pretty damn sexy either way.
I think you’re afraid, he signs.
“Of leaving Adam alone with my ’rents? You’re damn right I am.”
Of becoming your own person. I think you’re constantly afraid that you’ll let people down, no matter what you do or accomplish. I think those shits you call parents really did a number on you. With every word he signs, he appears to become more animated. His scowl doesn’t lessen, but his eyes become…well…dare I say, warmer? I signed you up because you’re damn good at this, Kat, and I can see how much you love it. I know you’re too selfless to sign yourself up. You deserve this. You deserve it all.
The sincerity in his eyes, the pure and undiluted belief he has in me, is almost too much. My throat closes as emotions sweep over me like a tsunami wreaking havoc on the shore.
“But Adam…”
Trust me, Kat, he signs, eyes imploring my own. We care about him too. But this isn’t about him. This is about you and what you want. So tell me, little demon, what do you want?
You. The thought springs to me unbidden, but I shush my internal voice instantly.
I allow myself to think through what I actually want. Not what I need to do. Not what my parents expect me to do. Not what society dictates I have to do. But what I want to do.
And what I want to do is compete in this tournament.
My acquiescence must be plain to see on my face, for Kastros’s lips twitch. He nods once, steps into my airspace, and plants a tender kiss on my forehead. The heat his large, muscular body emits is almost palpable, and I feel so incredibly little and small with him looming over me. But also safe and cherished and protected. And loved. And cared for. And—
Uh oh.
It will really, really suck if I started developing a crush on my demon friends, now wouldn’t it?
Because sooner or later, they’re going to fulfill their end of the bargain and go home to “Center,” that bitch. And I’m going to be left with a shattered heart and no one around to help me pick up the pieces.
23
The problem with competitions is that you have to put up or shut up. I’m typically more of a shut up kind of girl.
But Janie’s taken out the big guns, literally. She’s stripped off her school shirt and is wearing only a very thin white tank top when Kastros and I return, her push-up bra her main weapon.
Fucking great.
I can see that Wade and Tim’s eyes are already glazed; they’ll gladly give up their seats for her, I’m sure.
I shake my head as I walk back to my seat. Tournaments usually allow nine people to compete, but since this is going to be an expensive, out-of-state tournament, we only get seven. Those seven have to be the best, because every single score will count. I’ve always come up with some kind of excuse—dental work, parents out of town—to get out of having to compete for a spot.
Not this time.
I’m just about to close my eyes and psych myself up for speeches, when in walks