Page 14 of My Demon Charming

“You mean, why are they raping me? Because they’re vile, sick bastards. Kevin has convinced himself sex magic intensifies the effects of his power, so it makes the borrowing last longer. He’s still trying to find a way to make the transfer more permanent.”

“That’s disgusting.” He spits on the floor and kneels next to me. He brushes my hair and gazes into my eyes. “You’ve been through so much, darling boy. I’m so sorry.”

I shrug.

“It’s just my life, I guess.”

“Yeah, but it shouldn’t be. No one should be enslaved and abused like that. No one. No one should hold so much power and control over another creature.”

I cock my head and stare back at him.

“You sound like you’re talking from experience.”

Lucian looks away, up at the sky, even though there’s nothing to look at. Not even the moon. I do the same. Where have all the stars gone? They were so bright before I passed out.

“Let’s just say you’re not the first human to summon me,” he says.

I put my hand on his, resting beside mine, and purse my lips.

“I’m sorry for summoning you. If I knew, I’d never?—”

“If you knew, you’d still be enslaved to those dickheads.”

Well, that’s true. But still.

“I’m glad you summoned me, darling boy.”

I smile. I want to tell him I’m also glad I did, but that would mean I’m okay with enslaving him, which I’m not.

“What’s your name?”

I jump in place and curse under my breath.

“I’m so sorry. I completely forgot. I’m…my name is Yu-jin. Yu-jin Jung.”

Lucian stares at my extended hand and smirks but doesn’t shake it.

“Yu-jin, huh? I like it. It’s cute.”

Heat clusters around my cheeks instantaneously, and I have to look away.

He thinks I’m cute?

“Thanks. I say.” The feathers of his wings dance with the breeze, and it looks like they’re breathing. “They’re gorgeous,” I say before I can stop myself.

“Thank you,” he answers.

I almost look back at him, but I remember how red I probably look and stop myself.

“Where are we?”

“Oh,” Lucian says as if he’s just realized he never told me. His wings part to reveal the bright lights of Amethyst City in the distance and the glorious structure of the Amethyst Bridge stretching out under our feet.

“We…we’re on top of the bridge? What?” I glance around me. We seem to be sitting on the bridge’s south tower, a narrow but long pedestal with all the satellites and aviation obstruction lights flashing every two seconds.

“We are. Are you scared of heights?”

I look from the edge of the tower back to him and ponder it. I’ve never been up high before, so I have no idea.

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