Page 71 of Cry for Help

The ground, the air, the buildings, and even the walls weremine.

It would be so easy to level it all.

To wipe the slate clean. I could have my forest. I could make it so beautiful.

I could sendallthe demons back to Hell. I could be alone in a city of my own without answering to a single soul.

The thoughts didn’t belong to me. I wasn’t greedy. But then, maybe I’d never had a chance to be before.

It was mine.

All mine.

I lifted my hand, ready to bring it down like a hammer. Ready to make my paradise.

I reached for my chest, clasping the fabric of my shirt, as I felt the four connections there like limbs I couldn’t see. Each one was a thread, leading to one of the demons. To the Flock.

Then I felt him as he woke up, his presence in my head like a barely continued chuckle.

“Time to come down now, Banshee,” Caim whispered, the sound echoing through my mind before everything went black.

Epilogue

I’d never worn a dress like this before. A floor-length, body-hugging silk number with an obscene amount of beading—so intricate I was worried that a dozen pearl beads would fall off if I moved too quickly.

I restrained myself from brushing my hands over the curves of the dress, hating that they highlighted my body but also loving how it made me look. Seir had really outdone himself, and seeing what he could produce when he was actually trying was inspiring. It helped that he was afraid of being kicked out of the city where he had claimed sanctuary from the human authorities for an insanely long list of shoplifting offenses.

The door clicked behind me. Someone’s attempt at a sneaky entrance. I pretended to be enamored with my reflection as Caim snuck up on me. My body jolted as he cupped my waist, and the reaction had nothing to do with surprise.

“You’re nervous,” Caim noted, his red eyes shining with mischief.

“Lots of important people will be at this meeting.” I kept my voice even as I reached for my earrings on the vanity.

“Lots of importantdemons.” Caim corrected. “The humans aren’t really that important. We just like to let them think they are.”

“I don’t think anyone will react well to being told their city has been claimed by a random Sídhe,” I remarked as I put in my earrings.

“If they get pissed off, just eject them out of the city.” Caim shrugged, his arms still wrapped around my waist.

“Eject?”

“Eject.” He agreed. “Throw them over the wall. Like the Behemoth.”

I sighed.

Caim loosened his arms, placed his palm against my back, and rubbed circles between my shoulder blades. “You do great.”

“Can I use ASL?” I suggested.

Caim gave me an indulgent look. “Do you want me to act as your translator?”

“You think I’m being stupid.” I deflated.

“On the contrary, I think the idea has a certain regal feel.”

“You’re making fun of me.” I turned, punching his shoulder.

Though I didn’t use any force, Caim cupped his arm. “Always.”

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