Page 40 of I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend

After the fighting stopped, the screeches sounded once again, followed by the batting sounds of heavy wings. And then, there was nothing. The silence lasted too long for comfort. Had they killed him? Just as I worked up the nerve to open the door, it swung open, and a bloodied Metice climbed inside.

“What just happened? Who did this to you?” I questioned him and placed my hands on either side of his face. This was the second time he’d returned to me beaten up. “What did this to you? Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” He grabbed my wrist, and those dark eyes met mine with heart-crushing sadness. “It’s okay.”

“Metice, you need to tell me what’s going on. What keeps doing this to you? These are the same marks you have the other night.”

“I told you I had a life before you.” The horses started running again, and we jerked back against the forced motion. “One that brought me a lot of trouble, one that I’m trying not to get wrapped up in again.”

“And because of me, it’s coming back.” That was my understanding. His life was fine until I arrived. “Is this because of me?”

“It’s not because of you. It’s been happening. But now there are people who know about you, and they want to use you against me. If they knew you were here, in this carriage, if they had seen you…” His dark eyes locked onto mine. “I don’t think I could have protected you. Not now, not like this.”

“Are you ever going to tell me what’s really going on?” I asked. “This isn’t okay. You can’t survive like this for much longer.”

“There’s no need for that. Soon, you’ll be home, protected by Likosa’s magic, and my problems won’t be yours.” He wiped the blood from his lip. “We just need to get you home safely. That’s all that matters.”

“Are you sure this spell is going to work?” The damn things had found us. What was to say they wouldn’t be able to do the same when I was back in my world without him?

“Fortunately, we have proof now that it will. If it didn’t, they would have known you were here.” He shifted his weight and groaned. “They wouldn’t have let you live if they realized you were with me.”

“We need to clean up your wounds.” I looked at the flesh through his torn shirt. This was worse than the first time. “You’re already starting to bruise.”

“I’ll heal.” His head dropped back on the head of the seat, and he pulled me to his side. “Just relax. It’s a long ride back to the house.”

Metice slept, but I couldn’t. I watched him, and yes, his wounds were healing, but it was much slower than the first time. The demon was weakening. What did that mean? Would that thing come back and kill him?

“Get your things,” Metice said as we entered his home. “I’ll take you home now.”

“No,” I denied his request as he headed for my room.

“What?” He turned to look at me. “What do you mean, no? We need to get you out of here.”

“You’re hurt. You need to rest. I can go home tomorrow.” I stood firm in my choice.

“Rayna.” Metice rubbed his hand over his coarse hair, and I could see the tips of his horns emerge, retract, and emerge again.

“You already said the spell worked,” I reminded him as I walked over to him and placed my hand on his chest. The budding horns retreated, and I felt the tension melting away from his body. “That means I’ll be safe here one more night. I doubt they will come banging on your door to fight again. Looking at you now, that would kill you. They want you alive. Am I right?”

“Yes, you’re right.” His eyes slowly slid closed as I moved my hand to his cheek.

Face cradled in my palm, he looked different to me. Sweeter, gentler than before. Something was changing about this man the longer we were together. Yes, he kept that hard exterior, but there were moments when he showed me who he truly was. He leaned into my touch, and his chest rose with a deep breath. He might debate me, but I could tell he was relieved to have me stay with him.

“Then it’s settled.” I picked up Piko, who sat by my feet. “Rest. I’ll pack my things, and you can take me home tomorrow.”

“Okay, whatever you want.” Metice gave up the debate. We both knew he’d be lying if he continued to fight me about my decision.

“Do you need help cleaning up?” I looked at his exposed skin. The lacerations had already closed, but the bruises and stains of blood were still there.

“No, I’ll be okay.” He shook his head and looked at his bathroom door. “I’ll clean up.”

“Good.” I put Piko down and headed for the steps. “Let me know if you need me.”

Bags packed and fresh out of the shower, I stood at the bookcase and sighed. There was something devastating about not being able to read them, or at least take them with me. I looked at my bags and wondered how many I could fit in them. Maybe he would be able to transport the books with me. Would that be too much?

The knock at the door interrupted my useless calculations. I already had most of the books at home, and with my luck, there would be no time to read them any time soon.

“Yes?” I opened the door to find Metice standing there in grey pajama pants and a matching open robe. “Are you okay?”

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