Page 20 of Their Demon

Keir let out a heavy sigh. “You don’t understand, Lillian. It’s not that simple.”

I fucking hated that line.It’s not that simple. It was a cop-out, a way for him to get out of giving me a real reason for all the bullshit.

I rolled my eyes before saying, “So help me understand. Tell me why. At first, I thought it was one-sided, but I know that’s not true. The night we came through the portal for the first time? Outside the portal, when I closed it? Or down in the basement in front of Austin? Are you going to tell me it was all in my head? That you felt none of it?”

We just stared at each other.

I was sick of his games. Iknewhe wanted me. I’d seen it, felt it. He kept pushing me away for no reason, and I was tired of it. Hell was my home now. I was forever bonded to his twin brothers and wanted to bond with him too. I was about to go up against his father and become a demon. I wasn’t going anywhere, so what was the issue?

Keir was no longer looking at me; his focus was now on the floor between our barstools.

“It’s not you. It’s me,” he finally said quietly, his voice strained, as though those words had been difficult.

I let out a short chuckle at the cliché line he fed me, having to rein in full-on laughter. “Of course it is.”

He glared up at me through his eyelashes. “This is not a damn game, Lillian. I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing it to keep you safe.” I nodded my head sarcastically, seconds away from walking away. “I’m serious,” he growled, his head snapping up so quickly I flinched.

“I know you are. That’s all you ever are.” I paused, taking a few calming breaths before I lost my shit. “Please, Keir. Give me onegood reason, and I’ll stop. I can’t take not knowing why. I just need one—”

“My mother,” he spoke angrily.

His mother? What did she have to do with us? Did she not want us together? She seemed to want the exact opposite when I met her. Had I read that wrong?

“She used to be… different,” Keir said with more control. “Kind. Happy.Motherly.”

“What happened?” My heart was heavy for him.

“My father.” He sounded calm, but his eyes were angry, yet so sad at the same time. “He broke her.” He tore his gaze from mine.

“Keir…” I honestly didn’t know what to say. I knew his father was a horrible man… demon… king… whatever, but to his wife? The mother of his children?

I shifted in my seat, my butt going numb against the hard wood.

“You’re uncomfortable. Let’s get up.” He gestured to the arched entryway behind us that led from the kitchen to the living room, where the soft cushioned couches were.

“No… I want to hear more. I need to know why. I deserve to know,” I pleaded.

He stood still, considering my words for a moment before nodding and taking my plate. “I’ll be right behind you. I just need a second.”

As I walked to the living room, my heart thumped loudly, and I wondered why he'd suddenly decided to be so open with me.

The couch was much more comfortable than the barstools, and I was more than appreciative of the thought he’d given my numb ass, but the longer I waited, the more nervous I got. What if he changed his mind and closed himself off again?

The water was still running in the sink. He was taking his time, and I pictured him sitting there, watching the water drain down the sink for no reason other than to delay our conversation, which made me worry even more.

Come on!

The water shut off, and his footsteps grew louder until he entered the living room, immediately focusing on me.

“So impatient,” he said teasingly as he stopped at the bar and poured a drink.

I winced, embarrassed. I needed to start watching my thoughts before they got me into serious trouble.

When he turned to the couch, I realized he had two drinks. He handed me one of the glasses and then sat down on the opposite side of the couch, a tiny hint of a smile on his lips. I stared at the alcohol, though, stunned.

“Are you sure about this?” I held the drink up.

“You’re asking me?”

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