Page 27 of My Demon Manny

"It's still you, isn't it? Even like this?"

I nodded quickly, linking my claws together so I wouldn't wave them around in my nervousness. "I'm still me, I promise. And I wasn't trying to trick you into anything. When I first got the job, I didn't know you were my mate. It was only after we touched for the first time that I knew."

Archer blinked, his lips parting in surprise. "That time you ran into the kitchen to wash Gunner's bottles without taking the bottles?"

I ducked my head, an embarrassed squeak escaping me. "Yeah, that time."

"Wait. So why exactly is a demon working as a nanny? Is that part of your mission too?"

Did all these questions mean that Archer wasn't about to ask me to leave?

"Uh, no. There are no babies where I'm from, and I've always found humans fascinating. Like I told you, I love taking care of people, and I thought taking care of babies would feel even more rewarding, so..." I trailed off with a shrug, and Archer hummed.

Gunner took that moment to cheer loudly, waving my tail around like it was the best toy ever.

"It looks like Gunner likes you either way."

I barely stopped myself from asking if he did too, instead giving him another hesitant shrug. Then, unable to take it anymore, I pushed, "So? Would you like me to leave?"

Archer sighed loudly, then glanced down at Gunner before turning his gaze on me. "Do you promise you would never hurt Gunner?"

"I do."

He chewed on his lower lip, then shook his head. "I don't know why, but I feel like I can trust you."

"It's the mate bond. It's instinctual."

He squinted at me, head tilting thoughtfully. "So what, some higher power paired us up and now we're destined to fall in love or something?"

"Yeah. Fate did. Well, they usually go by Celeste, but that's their job title. Fate pairs up all kinds of sentient beings."

Archer shook his head, then exhaled. "Okay, I'm gonna need you to tell me about all of this in a lot more detail, but I'm not firing you or asking you to leave. Could you maybe change back now?"

"Oh, right. Um, my tail," I pointed out, and Archer blinked before slowly untangling Gunner's fingers from around it.

The moment it was free, I shifted back, and Gunner started crying. Apparently, he'd grown attached to his new toy.

Walking over to his mat, I grabbed one of his rope toys, and held it out to Archer, still hesitant.

Taking it from me, he rocked Gunner in his arms as he handed the toy to him. He seemed to debate with himself for a moment before holding Gunner out to me, and I glanced at him in surprise as I took the baby from his arms.

"How about you put him back on the mat and then come have breakfast, hmm? I think it's gone cold, though." Archer gave me a hesitant smile, and I did as he asked.

Returning to the couch after settling Gunner, I picked up my plate, using a bit of magic to heat up our food.

"Or not," Archer mumbled around a bite, and I smiled, taking one of my own. I felt a little off kilter, unsure if Archer's acceptance was real or a momentary thing before he had time to think things through.

"Lux."

I jumped, almost dropping my plate, and turned to him quickly. "Yeah?"

"Calm down, okay? I'm not firing you. The logical part of me is insisting I should, but my gut tells me I can trust you, and it has never led me wrong, so I'm going to have faith in it. Now eat your breakfast, and afterward you can tell me more about the demon realm and your mission."

Eyes wide in surprise, I nodded mutely and turned to my breakfast, quickly eating it as I thought about all the things I wanted to tell him now that I didn't have to hide any longer.

Telling him the truth while drunk off my ass and then shifting in front of Gunner might not have been the best tactic, but I'd done it, and there was no changing things now. All I could do was make sure I didn't give Archer any more reasons to fear me, and we'd be okay.

Hopefully.

---