Page 85 of Tyrant

“He’s defending you, that’s all,” Naya says. “He’s looking for whoever did this to you. Someone tried to kill you, Sera. And it’s not really the first time either. The night of the party…”

“Why would he attack you and Lia? You two would never hurt me. Right?”

Now I’m instantly second-guessing myself. That leaves me feeling like I want to cling to Demo now.

“Never,” Naya says. “I think he assumed some kind of jealousy over you. You were claimed. Lia and I never were and never will be. It doesn’t bother me at all. But he wanted to know. He sensed something in my voice so I told him about Lia being a bitch to you.”

“Fuck,” I whisper. “You said that was because of her period.”

“It was. That’s how she gets. But she does have a violent streak.”

“Lia couldn’t have…”

“She didn’t. We were together that night. But Tyrant wanted to make sure. He scared the fuck out of her. To be fair, she tried to run. You never run from these guys. Ever.”

“Very true,” Demo says as though he’s part of the conversation.

“Listen to me, Sera,” Naya says, touching my forehead and hair. “You can’t stop Tyrant from doing anything. Nobody can. All you can do is rest. Know that you’re safe here. I promise.”

Naya kisses my forehead. Then my nose.

“Fuck off, Naya,” Demo growls.

Naya steps away from me. I have no idea how far that would have gone. Naya leaves the room. Now I’m stuck alone with Demo.

“Are you going to tell me more?” I ask.

“Nothing more to tell. What that whore said was the truth.”

“I’m Tyrant’sclaimed one,” I say. “You have to do what I say, right? Or else I’ll tell him you were mean to me. I’ll lie.”

Demo moves from the end of the bed along the right side of the bed.

“Do you remember the first time we met?” Demo asks.

“Probably not. You’re not memorable.”

Which is a complete lie. Demo is like eight feet tall and looks like he’s about three hundred pounds of solid muscle. He’s a monstrous beast of a human. He’s scary. Really scary.

“Tell me if this brings back any memories,” Demo says.

He lifts his right hand and shows it to me.

“What?” I ask.

He curves his hand as though he’s gripping something.

“This is how I met you,” he whispers. “When I wrapped my fucking hand around your throat.”

I suck in a breath.

“You’reThroat-Guy,” I whisper.

“What?”

Demo isThroat-Guy. The guy who was in my bedroom. He and someone else were the ones who kidnapped me. Dragged me from my bed. Threw me into the hallway. Took me out of my house and forced me into the vehicle that took me toSinners Academy.

“Oh, fuck,” I whisper.

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