Page 37 of Daemonium

“Noted. But you’re not going to die, none of us are,” Lana reiterated, her eyes falling closed.

I sat with them, listening to their breathing gradually even out, hoping with everything I had left they were right. I couldn’t do life without them.

When I opened my eyes, it took me a moment to realize I had dozed off again.

The first giveaway was Dion fast asleep on the lounge in the corner, an arm slung over his face. Brody slouched against the wall, which couldn’t be comfortable, his eyes closed too. I wasn’t sure if he was sleeping or not, though.

I checked on Mel, brushing some of her hair out of her face, and then twisted to check on Lana. I swallowed a gasp, not expecting Ciaran to be standing right freaking beside her with his mask pushed to the back of his head. His blue eyes locked with mine and he smirked, clearly amused I’d just nearly had a heart attack.

“Very nice,” I grumbled, hearing him chuckle as I crawled to the edge of the bed. There was a kink in my lower back from how I’d slept, and I needed to pee. I crept to the bathroom and did my business, flexing my toes in the boots I was wearing.

I felt a little off. Similar to what happened before the room spun and my nose bled. Lana was spot on with us all keeping secrets. I hadn’t mentioned a peep of these side effects. After washing my hands, I splashed cool water on my face and tried to tame my hair into something less like a lion’s mane, deciding to tie it back using loose strands to secure it. “Ya’ll could give a girl a damn ponytail,” I muttered, turning away from the mirror.

I reentered the bedroom and headed toward the door. Ciaran had wedged himself on the bed beside Lana and was trying to wake her up. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, snuggling into his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. It was both strange and familiar seeing them be soft and affectionate like that. Despite the room being far from empty of other people, I felt like I was intruding on a private moment. I moved into the hall wondering where Ky was.

Found him, I thought not a second later. He was leaning against the wall, his eyes downcast, mask back situated atop his head.

“Hey.”

He was in front of me before I had time to blink. His hands came to either side of my neck, and it felt oddly like a hug.

His thumbs stroked my skin, and he placed his forehead against mine. “I can’t stand not touching you, Sunshine.”

I wrapped my arms around him, and he drew in a breath, practically shuddering. He’d probably wanted to launch Lana and Mel out of that bed. “You can touch me whenever you need.”

“Don’t tell him that. He’ll become another limb,” Charon joked, flashing me a smile as he slipped into the room.

I drew back and peered up at Ky questioningly.

“He’s waking Dion. We have to go,” he answered my unspoken question, still rubbing either side of my neck.

“And Brody?” I pressed.

“He’ll tip him over.”

“Now that’s not nice.”

He grinned, and it went straight to my core.

I lifted a hand and cupped his face, smiling when he turned his head and kissed my palm. “You didn’t sleep at all, did you?”

“I’ll sleep when we’re dead.”

Whatever my face did, it made him laugh. I would never tire of that sound. “I’m banning all talks of us dying.”

“That’s fine. I prefer to be the one making the corpse.”

“Let’s keep it that way.”

He stroked the top of my head and then stepped a smidge back, taking my hand into his. “You need water.”

I wasn’t remotely thirsty but voicing that would be pointless. He led me down the hallway, and then to the first floor. The timer had twelve minutes displayed, counting down by seconds. The letter that had been left for us came to mind. We’d soon be finding out exactly what had been planned for us.

“Have a good rest?” Carol asked as we entered the kitchenette. She was leaning over the breakfast bar beside Earl, a half-empty mug in front of her.

“It was okay.”

I subtly eyed her as Ky grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and then checked it over before handing it to me. I knew she said she was here for her brother, but where else did I know her from?

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