Page 17 of Nanny for the Demon's Twins

"Look, look!" Luna points at a display of shimmering fabrics. "Pretty!"

"Those are beautiful." Mira's voice carries a softness I rarely hear in our demon town. Her shoulders tense as a group of warriors pass by, their eyes lingering too long as they rake over her body. Anger pours in me, and I have to force it back to keep from bashing their eyes in.

I step closer, my shadow falling over her protectively. The warriors catch my glare and move along.

"What's that smell?" Nova wrinkles her nose, pressing closer to Mira's leg.

"Fresh bread." I point to old Kazik's stall. "Want to try some?"

Both twins nod eagerly. As we approach, I notice more stares from the locals. Some curious, others hostile. A demon woman pulls her child away as we pass. My jaw clenches.

"Three sweet rolls." I slap coins on Kazik's counter harder than necessary. The old demon's eyes dart between me and Mira before he hands over our order.

"Uncle Karn, up!" Nova raises her arms. I scoop her onto my shoulders, keeping one hand steady on her leg while balancing the bread in the other.

"These are amazing." Mira's eyes light up at her first bite. A smudge of sugar dusts her lower lip. My fingers twitch with the urge to brush it away.

I think I'm starting to have a bit of a control issue where she is concerned.

Luna tugs at Mira's skirt. "Can we see the pretty rocks next?"

"Of course, little one." Mira's smile falters as another group passes too close, their whispers carrying clearly.

"Human whore."

"With the twins too..."

"Disgraceful."

My free hand curls into a fist. Heat rises in my chest, magic crackling beneath my skin. But before I can move, Mira's cool fingers brush my arm.

"The gems?" Her voice stays steady, though her eyes betray her hurt.

I force my anger down, focusing on her touch. "This way."

A group of demon women huddle near the crystal merchant's stall, their voices carrying over the market noise. I, unfortunately, know them all, having grown up in the small town my whole life. Ash was better at dealing with the gossiping women than I ever was, and today, I know I'm already out of patience.

"Can't believe he lets that human near those precious girls-"

"After what happened to their parents-"

"Probably warming his bed too-"

Nova's small hands tighten in my hair. "Uncle Karn, why are they looking at us mean?"

I lift her off my shoulders, passing her to Mira. "Take the girls to see the crystals. I'll be right there."

I expect her to stop me again. But when Mira's green eyes meet mine, understanding and worry mixing in their depths, she says nothing. She guides the twins away, their excited chatter fading into the crowd.

My boots crunch against the packed dirt as I approach the gossips. Their chatter dies. Good. The tallest one - Selia - straightens her spine but can't quite meet my gaze.

"Something to say about my family?" My voice comes out as a low growl. The smaller demon woman steps back, but Selia holds her ground.

"Just concerned for the twins' wellbeing. After losing their parents-"

"You don't speak of them." The temperature around us drops several degrees. "And you sure as hell don't speak of Mira."

"She's human." Selia spits the word like poison.

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