Page 81 of Married to the Devil

“Their parents were taken through the gate,” I grit out. “If it’s too much of a hassle to watch out forallthe people in your territory, I’ll gladly take it off your hands.”

Lobo’s glare holds no heat to it. “Careful, gargoyle.”

“Have a care with your allies, wolf.”

Lobo’s mouth twitches. “I have no allies.”

His yellow eyes are tired. There’s a familiar sorrow there that causes a sick sensation in my gut. I’d spoken to Stella just this morning of the catastrophe that the loss of love is for someone who has people depending on them. To see evidence of it now is eerie.

“I’ll return if you can’t find the will to live enough to do what’s right,” I say and ignore Fiona’s arched brow.

I catch the flash of relief on Lobo’s face before he muffles it around his personal guards. Whoever or whatever the wolf lost may indeed pull him down along with.

But that isn’t my problem.

“I’ll endeavor to stay off your schedule,” Lobo says before turning on his heel and leaving. His wolf shifters are slower to leave, casting looks at each other before following their leader.

“Don’t you have enough problems?” Fiona asks, poking my stomach. “The Council won’t allow you to try to claim his territory.”

“I have no desire to take on his pack,” I muse, though I wouldn’t hesitate to do just that if this continues to be a problem. “Perhaps they will intervene before he self-destructs.”

“You think it’s negligence?” Fiona asks.

I only nod. Sorrow like that holds a particular stench similar to decay.

One moment the space next to me is empty, and the next it holds Ben. He may be scentless, but the sight of him causes a ripple of warmth in my chest.

That ripple doesn’t hit everyone the same because my guards pull weapons and shout in surprise. Ben raises his hands, his eyes widening and his form blinks semi-transparent for a moment before I call out an order that has the room easing with muttered curses.

“Sorry.” Ben solidifies, not needing to leave because of a threat. “I came as soon as I received your message.”

“I thought you would need to get more details to find us,” I say.

His lips twitch with something that’s not quite a smile or a wince. “It seems not.”

He doesn’t explain further, and I shrug. The demon takes in the room, his eyes hardening on the cage. The energy of him hums along my skin, but he doesn’t outwardly react.

“Are those the children?” Ben asks.

“Yes. Thank you for agreeing to transport them.”

“Of course.” Ben frowns as if he hasn’t told me multiple times that I’m not the boss of him. Though, I didn’t doubt he’dbe willing to help. There’s an integrity that’s similar to how he holds on to responsibility with single-minded determination, but it serves this situation.

Our arrangement began with Stella’s need of him but has quickly evolved. He’s the only one I implicitly trust with my mate…and it’s occurring to me now in the presence of subdued enemies, I’m as concerned for his well-being as I am with Stella’s.

When did that happen?

“We won’t need your assistance with the prisoners,” I say to keep myself from further appreciating this demon’s character.

Ben stares hard at the men on the ground as if running through his mental Rolodex to see if he recognizes them before he shakes his head at me.

“Our benefactor has something special planned for you,” the fae one snarls at me.

I smile, but Ben stiffens before lowering himself with a deadly grace, his eyes showing his demonic nature. The fae flinches and squirms under the guard’s knee.

“And just which fae lord is your benefactor?” Ben asks. “We’re all dying to know.”

The fae glares with such hate at my demon that I can barely stand it.

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