Page 88 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

“Yeah, well, you found your demon again. Wild’s one happy bloke.”

I’d found my demon. Relief coursed through me, a protection as strong as that my demon blood now provided. Wild would be okay. We’d both be okay. “I can’t believe she was lying right there inside the demon gate.”

“How long do you think she was there for?”

“I plan to find out when she wakes.”

“You can speak to her then? Or do you just have access to all her memories and thoughts? I wondered if your minds would merge like your bodies have.”

I frowned. “I can feel her inside. She’s sleeping, and not in any one place. Just like there’s something sentient and healing inside me. I can’t access her thoughts or anything.”

Sven nodded. “Maybe you’ll merge over time like Wild and his demon echo.”

“Maybe. For now, I’m happy to have her back. It’s weird, you know?—"

“Nice. I’m pretty hungry, and breakfast is underway, so…”

I rolled my eyes. “This could be the only conversation you have with a legit half-demon magus. You should be filled with awe.”

“Another time. I’ll see you there?”

Breakfast with the coven. “You think that’s wise?”

“As long as you’re sure black smoke and scales won’t appear at the drop of a hat, then yes, you need to make an appearance.”

I had a feeling the demon parts of me were linked to emotion or threat or near death, but I’d play around with that before leaving my quarters. Black scales were all we needed the coven to see.

Sven stood, groaning as he stretched tall. “Can I make a suggestion?”

“No.”

“Wear something revealing.”

My brows rose.

He snorted. “Something that shows your runes.”

“That feels like the worst idea I’ve ever heard.”

Sven was already halfway to the stairs. He called back, “Show a little skin. Trust me.”

I pulled a face and shoved the blankets off.

I used the walk to the bathroom to study the new way my body moved. The improvements to my senses and strength were there, for sure, as was a new speed. I’d have to counter the speed and strength, so no one picked up on anything odd.

Standing in front of the mirror, I dredged up my worst and best memories to try to bring the scales forth, but only managed a wisp of black smoke. I either wasn’t getting enough emotion through the door, or the demon attributes showed in response to a threat. In the past, I’d emitted smoke when in the throes of a fight or when the demons attacked. Or when I’d healed Wild that one time.

Nerves bunched in my stomach. I’d need to figure this out as a priority. The coven knew what scales meant. I was on very shaky ground with the other magus, and even if I talked my way through the runes, they couldn’t know the full truth of my demon yet.

We needed more time.

I dressed in a crop top that exposed the two runes of my stomach, and the two on my arm. I paired the crop top with a silky sleeve skirt. I felt kind of great in the outfit. I’d covered my runes since receiving them, and—not that I walked around in nipple tassels and underwear all the time—but I wasn’t shy about showing skin. Or hadn’t been.

This felt more like me. If the coven decided to condemn me as a mistress of darkness, then I’d be condemned in style.

Tossing my white hair back, I gave myself a dazzling smile and left my quarters.

The tunnels were empty, unusually so, and I wondered if Wild’s presence in the eating chamber could be thanked for everyone staying glued to their seats—or was it that Sven had told them I’d be along?

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