Page 58 of Daemonium

"I know you love it," he murmured, his voice low and full of that same dark promise.

I sighed, half in exasperation, half in surrender. "Sometimes I do," I admitted, leaning into him. It was just for a moment, soaking in his warmth before we had to face whatever was waiting for us on the other side of the door. Even if I couldn’t have my cappuccino, at least I had Ky. And that was something.

He took my hand, and we left the room, his presence grounding me as we walked out. I glanced back at the bed, but no sentimental feelings were lingering. It was just a place—four walls and a mattress. It was Ky that held my attachment, not the location where everything had changed.

As we moved down the hallway, low voices reached us. We returned to the main living area, where Lana, Mel, and Hayven were already waiting, all dressed in clothes identical to mine. The outfits were like a uniform of sorts—black joggers paired with matching hoodies, and crisp white sneakers that contrasted with the dark fabric. They were comfortable, practical, and, most importantly, they allowed us to move freely. The kind of clothing that could easily blend into the shadows, just as we needed to do. The sight of them brought a sense of unity, a silent acknowledgment that we were in this together.

Ky released my hand, and I felt his eyes on me as I crossed the room to join the girls. Lana sprang up from where she was sitting, her dark hair pulled back and a wide grin on her face as she held up something in her hand. "Look what I’ve got!" she exclaimed, waving a ponytail around like it was the best thing she’d ever seen.

“Salvation?” I joked.

“Oh, Gracie, it’s far too late for that, but we can at least look beautiful.”

We laughed and she instructed me to turn around. I smiled and did as she said.

Her fingers deftly gathered my hair, securing it into a high ponytail. She leaned in close, her breath warm against my ear as she whispered, "Nice hand necklace by the way, very fashionable."

My cheeks bloomed with heat, and I laughed, glad that my clothes covered the other marks decorating my skin. The reminder of Ky’s very definitive handprint on my neck was one thing, but the thought of anyone seeing the rest of his handiwork was enough to make my face heat up even more.

“So, how do you like it?” she asked after stepping back.

I turned toward her, knowing this was absolutely not about a ponytail, though if I allowed myself to, I’d get emotional over something as trivial as that too. “Honestly, better than the cappuccino I wanted.”

Having caught on, Mel laughed, knowing how serious I got about caffeine. “I’m so glad you’ve both found new addictions.”

“I think we need to pick one out for you,” Lana quipped.

“What about a man known as The Cannibal?” I added playfully, relieved to see she was looking much better. Her face had more color and there was a light back in her silver eyes.

Mel pretended to consider it. “I do have a thing for men in all black, and I did used to like westerns.”

“Since when?” Maverick asked from across the room.

We shared a look and laughed.

“Are we still talking about a hair tie?” Hayven asked, her brow furrowing.

“I wish,” Dion said as he walked by cleaning his glasses. “If I had sisters, I imagine it would feel like this.”

“I have a sister, and I can confirm, it gets worse,” Charon remarked, a knowing smile on his face. “And she has three of those ties she won’t get rid of.”

Lana sighed, a dreamy look in her eyes. “Girl after my own heart.”

“What the fuck?” Ciaran’s voice suddenly boomed from the game room. He appeared in the doorway, looking thoroughly pissed off, while Kinks strolled by him with a mischievous grin, Aisha trailing behind her with a slightly pursed expression.

Neither woman was in their getups from the night before. I almost didn’t recognize the other woman without her lilac wig or mask. She was gorgeous—with long black hair that framed her face, enhancing her striking features and warm skin tone. Kinks looked the same—minus the face paint.

Kinks shot a playful look at Lana. “I can teach you my ways whenever you want, Lilly-girl.”

Ciaran’s voice was cold as ice as he cut in, “She doesn’t need you to do anything, Kennedy.”

A sudden, tense silence fell over the room. Ciaran using her full name was the first real hint that something had gone down between them.

Kinks turned slowly, her grin widening. “Kenzie,” Charon warned, his tone carrying a note of caution.

“What?” she asked innocently, feigning ignorance. “I thought I heard a man drowning beneath the weight of his secrets say something.” She shrugged, glancing around the room. “Must be the heat. It’s a little hot in here, isn’t it?” Before anyone could respond, she spun around, her grin back in full force. “Now come on, girls, give me hugs for our temporary goodbye,” she demanded, holding out her arms.

We exchanged quick hugs, Kinks squeezing us one at a time, her eyes gleaming with something unspoken. Hael appeared just as we stepped back, his expression all business.

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