Page 55 of My Demon Mate

The entire time I was in Xendail, I felt at home. It was an entirely new area, not even on Earth, but I felt like it was where I belonged. It was easy to get to used to being there. There was even cable television and internet, though Raven can’t explain how it works. To him, it just is.

There was no fear when I was in Xendail, regardless of the fact that I was surrounded by demons on all sides. I saw a few humans here and there, but demons were obviously the overwhelming population. And I didn’t feel afraid—I felt comfortable and welcome.

No one looked down on me. No one mistreated me just because they could. No one made me feel like they didn’t want me there.

Being on Earth? That’s all I feel. I’ve never felt like I belonged. Everywhere I went in this shitty town, someone gave me nasty looks or said snide comments to or about me. My father, the sheriff, Mitch, Joey... they all did untold damage to me over the years. They beat me down until I was almost no more, making me feel so low I didn’t think I’d ever rise.

No one on Xendail made me feel that way, and I’m quite sure they never would.

Danae smiles and pats my hand. “I’ll always be there for you. Soon, you can meet my mate. I’m sure you’ll become fast friends. He’d enjoy talking to someone that is mated to a demon.”

I laugh, feeling lighter than I have in a long time in this town.

We sit and talk about other small things, just enjoying each other’s company. I’m so comfortable with Danae, my first real friend in my entire life.

After we finish lunch, she gives me a long hug. “What are you going to do now?”

I shrug, putting my hands in my back pockets. “I think I’ll go to the library. I haven’t been since I got together with Raven. I think there might be some new graphic novels I can read while I wait for him.”

“I’ll give you a ride.”

I wave her off. “Nah, I want to walk and think. I have a lot on my mind.”

She nods in understanding. “If you want some company, call me.”

“I will.” I give her another hug, watching her walk to her car. Smiling I turn down the street, making my way the few blocks to the library.

I’m a block away when the cop car pulls up beside me. I pretend not to see it, continuing to walk to the library with quick but not visibly hurried steps.

The passenger window rolls down and I sigh inwardly, knowing I won’t get away without speaking. “Where do you think you’re going?” Sheriff Drake asks nastily, his tone full of disgust.

“To the library,” I mutter, putting as much bass in my voice as I can, though it shakes a little.

Sheriff Drake turns his sirens on, making me stop in my tracks. I close my eyes and reach out to Raven, dismayed when I hit a wall through our mental connection. Fuck, I hate that I can’t talk to him. Especially now when I have a feeling Sheriff Drake will give me shit.

He hefts his large frame from the car, rounding the hood and grabbing me by the arm. He pushes me against the car, frisking me roughly. “What did I do?” I ask. He can’t do this unless I’m accused of a crime. Stop and frisk searches are illegal, and he can’t rough me up just because he’s in a mood.

“Murder, you disgusting piece of shit.”

“What?” I ask, trying to turn to face him. He pushes me against the hood of the car roughly, the wind almost knocked out of me. “I didn’t murder anyone.”

“Shut the fuck up.” Sheriff Drake slaps cuffs on my wrists and drags me to the back of the squad car. He’s none too gentle with me as he stuffs me in the back, barely missing my foot when he slams the door.

What the fuck? This isn’t right. I may not watch a lot of television, but from the crime dramas I did watch, I know he can’t take me in without reading me my rights. This is an illegal arrest.

“Raven!” I shout, cursing when I run into that mental block again. Fuck, this is bad. Really bad.

The drive to the police station feels like it takes forever, though it can only be about ten minutes. When we arrive, Sheriff Drake drags me inside past the front desk to the interrogation room. The officer sitting at the desk gives us a puzzled look but doesn’t interfere. Why would he? I’m the town’s gay blight on the community. What reason would he have to help me?

When Sheriff Drake guides me hastily to one of the rickety chairs, he doesn’t remove the handcuffs. I pull at them, but he ignores me, sitting in the chair in front of me with an angry look on his face. What does he have to be angry about? He’s not the one that got pulled off the street and slapped in handcuffs.

“What is this about?” I ask, a hint of irritation creeping into my voice. “Why did you arrest me? Illegally, I might add.”

Drake’s eyebrows rise on his forehead, and it hits me that this is the first time I’ve ever talked to him this way. Usually, he’ll say some fucked up shit to me, and I’d put my head down, waiting for the slurs and angry words to be over. But right now, I’m over it. I’ve had enough of people walking all over me.

“Ain’t nobody gonna believe I arrested you illegally. So shut the fuck up about that. I’m gonna get a confession out of you for what you did to your father.”

“I didn’t do anything to him. I wasn’t even in town.” I need to keep up that lie so he doesn’t have anything on me. “You saw our check-out paperwork.”

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