Page 87 of I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend

The one she called Di stepped forward. Its massive hand stuck out to me as if to shake my hand, but before it could reach me, that familiar yipping of Piko rang out. I turned to see his little body leap into the air. I reached for him but quickly pulled back when, mid jump, the cute little blue creature turned into a giant, tank-sized beast.

His body exploded into a wall of muscle and fur that stood at least twice my size. His cute little face became sinister with the graphic change. Sharp razor like teeth exploded in his mouth, with two fangs that protruded over his lip, vampire style. Piko landed in between me and Di. He bared his teeth and growled at the creature to protect me.

“Piko?” I called out. “Calm down, boy.”

Piko turned to me, wagged his tail, then looked back at Di and Do. He whimpered like he wanted to attack them, but he could tell I didn’t want him to. Piko grunted, and his body contracted. The little blue guy jumped into my arms but kept his eyes trained on Di and Do.

“Wow, you actually bonded with a denati?” Cufio looked like he wanted to cheer. “That’s amazing!”

“What?” I held Piko tightly, afraid he would attack Di.

“A male denati can only do that when it’s bonded with someone.” Cufio pointed to Piko. “That also explains how he found you in the cavern. He’s chosen you as his own.”

“I-” I looked down at those wide blue eyes. “Piko? You chose me?”

Piko licked my hand as if to say yes.

“This is good.” Likosa smiled. “Now you have three beasts on your side. I suggest keeping that little guy to yourself until it benefits you. No one will expect it.”

“Smart, okay. Thank you so much for helping us.” I looked at Cufio. “Time to go.”

22

Two Tentacles and an Arm

Walking through shadows, though still unsettling, was a lot easier with Cufio there. It was also the best way to get into Olian’s spot without immediately signaling her and her men of my arrival. As I suspected, Cufio confirmed she could sense my arrival if I used my ability. As far as he knew, Olian had no way of detecting his presence.

“The problem for most of the sensors is that the shadows, especially here in the Bane, are always active. It’s nearly impossible to single out one signature, and even if you could, it would take a lot of power to do so for an extended period. In other worlds, where the dark passages are quieter, that’s a lot easier to accomplish,” Cufio explained while he navigated the darkness with me in his arms.

“Thank you for doing this,” I said, more to keep the noise from being limited to the eerie groans coming from the surrounding darkness.

“Of course. Just never tell Metice I had to carry you like this.” Cufio laughed. “Last thing I need is him coming for me.”

“You think he would?”

“You didn’t see what he did to that room you were in. Let’s just say the guy is crazy about you. Crazy enough to level a building. I don’t need there to be any misunderstandings.”

Cufio laughed again, but I could tell by the way his fingers nervously shifted that he was truly worried about what Metice would do. I smiled at the thought of having someone who would go to war for me. For too long, I’d been sitting across poorly lit tables from men who probably wouldn’t defend me against a fly. Now, there was one in my life who literally faced demons from hell to save me. Call me a stereotype, but that shit was sexy.

I dropped my hand to my hip to make sure the bag was still there. Our three passengers were still safely secured. There was no way I could walk into Olian’s space with Di, Do, and Piko in their beastly forms. I wanted to get in and out and do as little damage as possible. Those babies were my backup plan.

Likosa provided me with a carrying case that felt like something Mary Poppins would use. I watched in complete awe as Di and Do easily stepped into the ten-inch pouch before Likosa held it out to a reluctant Piko. After promising him several times that it would be safe, that I wouldn’t leave him locked inside with Di and Do, the little blue guy hopped in.

“All you have to do is open it and they will do the rest.” Likosa instructed as she strapped the pouch to my waist. Before we left, she gave me a long hug, and I could damn near hear the suggestive thoughts in Cufio’s head.

“We’re here.” What felt like ten minutes later, Cufio stopped moving. “Are you sure you’re ready to go in there?”

“Are you sure you won’t go with me?” I asked once more as Cufio lowered me from his arms to stand in front of him.

Through the veil of shadows, I could see the large room. It looked a lot like the one she held me in, only four times the size. I scanned the space. It was empty—and then I saw him, chained to a wall with large bronze cuffs around his ankles, wrists, and neck. The cuffs had an odd glow to them, which had to mean they weren’t normal. To keep Metice down, Olian must have used magic on them.

“I think I’ll sit this one out.” Cufio nudged me forward. “Look, I’ve never been a fighter. I stick to the shadows, get intel, and leave. What you’re in for is a lot more than I’m capable of.”

“Thanks anyway.” I couldn’t blame him. This wasn’t his fight, and he’d already done enough to risk his own life.

“Good luck.” Cufio waved as he backed away from me, leaving me alone in the shadows.

“Here goes nothing.” I took one deep breath for confidence, then left the unexpected safety of the shadows.

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