Page 57 of My Demon Mate

It’s about twenty minutes until the library closes, but that’s plenty of time. I almost drop to my knees and sob when it comes into view.

I hustle inside as quickly as I can, trying to hide myself so no one sees me. I don’t want anyone calling the cops, saying there’s an injured person wandering about.

No one spots me as I make my way to the bathroom. Limping over to the sink, I look at myself in the mirror and cringe. My eye is almost swollen shut. My cheek and lips are fat and puffy. My nose is crooked, clearly broken and still streaming blood. My shoulder hurts like a bitch, like something inside it is fucked up, as well as my ribs.

I groan as I try to pull out my phone. It’s hard, since it’s in the back pocket on the side that I landed on. Before I can pull it out, the bathroom door opens, and the old librarian steps inside.

Despite how I look, I’m more worried about keeping her here when she’s probably trying to lock up and go home. “I’m sorry for holding you up,” I mutter, moving to step around her.

“Come on, son. I’ll take you home.” My face must show surprise because she places a gentle hand on my cheek. “You can’t walk home like this. I’ll give you a ride, make sure you get there safe.”

My eyes well with tears, and I can’t stop them from spilling over. “Thank you.”

She smiles sadly at me, holding an arm out for me to take. I grasp it, though I don’t lean on her. She’s tiny and frail.

Her car is parked at the back door, and I hurry inside, falling into the passenger seat gratefully. I slouch down, not wanting any police officers to see me, causing the old librarian get in trouble for helping me out.

I give her directions to our townhouse, which is thankfully on the nicer side of town. The sheriff won’t think I’d be able to afford living that well, so probably won’t come looking for me here.

The lovely librarian puts the car in park in front of the house and turns to me. “Do you need help inside?”

More tears leak from my eyes as I shake my head. “No. I’m okay. Thank you for giving me a ride. You didn’t have to.”

“I know, son. I chose to. I’m just glad I could finally do something to help you besides show you books.” I nod, pulling my swollen lips in so I don’t sob all over her. “Off you go.”

Giving her one last watery smile, I get out of the car and hobble as quickly as I can inside the house.

When I’m inside with the door locked up tight, I hobble over to the couch, lying on my good side. I grab the throw blanket that’s draped across the back of it, wrapping it snugly around my body.

Raven, where are you?

CHAPTER 20

RAVEN

As soon as I step out of Lucifer’s realm, I feel it. Everest’s pain. And not just mental pain—it is physical too.

Not even bothering to bid my father farewell, I run to his yard and close my eyes, spiriting myself to Earth.

When I open them, I am back in the human form I made for myself, looking around the room to find Everest. Not in the bedroom. “Baby?” I call out. He is here, I can feel him there.

He does not answer, so I trot down the stairs, hoping to find him.

I spot him lying on the sofa and a strangled shout leaves my lips when I see the state he is in. The front of his hair is damp, drenched with sweat and pasted to his forehead by blood. His right cheek and eye are swollen, and there is a gash on his lower lip. His nose does not look right, off center and bleeding, and he is holding his arm at an awkward angle, like it is hurting as well.

I rush to his side, kneeling on the floor beside him. “Raven,” he whispers, reaching out to touch my face. “You’re back.”

“Who did this?” I snarl, delicately touching his face. Everest hisses, his face twisted in a grimace. “Talk to me.”

“Can you heal me first?” His voice is small and full of unshed tears. “It really hurts. Especially my shoulder.” His bottom lip trembles, and his body shivers with pain.

“Of course.” With soft, deft hands, I pull the blanket from his body and rip open his shirt. An angry growl drifts up my throat as I look down at the black and blue bruises marring his torso. I will fucking murder whoever did this to him.

I summon a blade and cut my palm quickly, running it over his injuries as I speak Xendailish. Everest sighs as the pain abates. Through our mental connection, I feel relief wash over him, then anger mounts.

It only takes a few minutes to heal him, his shoulder needing stronger spells since the rotator cuff was damaged. After I am done, I pull Everest into my arms, not worried that he is covered in my black blood and his own red blood.

“I am sorry I left you alone,” I mutter. This never would have happened if I were with him. People pick on Everest because he is smaller with a forgiving nature and pure heart. I am not afflicted with such good attributes. I will rip a motherfucker limb from limb for hurting him.

---