Taming Demons for Beginners (The Guild Codex Demonized #1) - Annette Marie Page 0,32
and gave you the cold shoulder for so long.”
“It’s okay,” I told my blanket, unable to meet his eyes.
“I want to make it up to you.” His smile returned. “The rest of the family is going to a meeting at noon, but I’m on demon-watching duty. I have to stick around the house, so why don’t we hang out?”
I blinked up at him, confused. “Um … sure.”
“Cool. I bet there’ll be a horror movie on—can you believe Halloween is tomorrow? Month, gone.” He hopped up. “I’ve got a few errands to run, but I’ll be back home around one o’clock.”
“Okay.”
He breezed out and closed the door, leaving me blinking in anxious bafflement. Why did Travis suddenly want to hang out? Was it a ruse to interrogate me about my “demon encounter” last night?
Dragging myself out of bed, I slouched into the attached bathroom and turned on the shower. I’d hoped the hot water would relax me, but I spent my whole shower planning various cover stories and evasions in case Travis questioned me about Zylas. Maybe I should pretend to have the flu?
I blow-dried my hair so it hung straight and neat around my heart-shaped face, the ends brushing my shoulders, then wandered down to the kitchen and made myself a small breakfast of fruit and yogurt. I ate at the breakfast bar, my self-help book propped in front of me but my focus completely shot.
Kathy marched in and out, busy with preparations for her excursion. Amalia passed by once, her usual jeans and oversized sweatshirt replaced by a sexy halter-top dress, its mid-thigh hem showing off her long legs. Her hair was twisted up into an elegant bun.
“Where are you headed?” I asked as she strode in the opposite direction.
She swerved off track, coming over to investigate my food. “The annual general meeting for our guild. It’s a good time for networking, otherwise Dad wouldn’t go while the demon is so close to breaking.”
The MPD required all mythics, even those who didn’t actively practice magic, to be guilded. It was a crucial part of the system of checks, balances, and accountability that hid mythics and magic from the public, but it could also be a pain in the butt.
Stealing a slice of apple off my plate, Amalia added, “Dad hates leaving Travis to watch things.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s Travis,” she drawled with an unhelpful eye roll. “See you later, Robin.”
“Have fun.”
She laughed sarcastically but gave me an almost friendly smile as she sauntered out of the kitchen on four-inch heels.
A few minutes later, the clamor of the family leaving quieted. I rinsed my dishes and left them in the sink, then resumed reading my self-help book in my bedroom. Unsurprisingly, “10 Foolproof Reasons Not to Trust Hellish Incarnations of Evil” wasn’t a chapter. I needed a book specific to people with chronic, life-threatening inquisitiveness.
Thoughts of last night wormed into my focus, but I stomped them down. I wasn’t giving Zylas another minute of my time or consideration. Dragging out a pair of earbuds, I put on music and continued reading.
One o’clock arrived without my noticing. Clueing in twenty minutes later, I tossed my book on the bed and headed down to the main level. The family room was empty, so I curled up on the leather sofa and selected a remote. After figuring out how to turn on the eighty-inch flat-screen TV, I channel-surfed for a quarter of an hour, my anxiety growing by the minute. Maybe Travis had forgotten. Should I go back upstairs? Better yet, should I use this time to search the house for my mom’s grimoire?
A door clattered. Footsteps thumped, then Travis wheeled into the room, looking frazzled.
“Sorry, Robin!” he said breathlessly. “Got held up.”
“It’s fine.”
“I need to check on the demon.” He waved at me. “Come on.”
I blinked. “Huh?”
“Come with me. Won’t take long.”
“Uh.” I shrank into the sofa. “I’d rather not.”
He grinned encouragingly. “You’ll be perfectly safe. It’s good to face your fears.”
I hesitated, debating whether a flat-out refusal would look suspicious. He extended his hand in offer, his feet set like he intended to wait there all afternoon. Not knowing what else to do, I reluctantly climbed off the sofa and straightened my white t-shirt.
“Atta girl! Knew you were tough.” He caught my hand even though I hadn’t offered it. “Let’s get this done.”
He pulled me across the room. I looked at my hand in his, my stomach churning with apprehension. Why were my instincts screaming at me to run away?