Page 27 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

The memory of dinner floods back - how naturally Dezoth fit into our little family, how right it felt to watch him care for Rose. Not because he has to, but because he wants to.

I’m so scared to be wrong again.

12

DEZOTH

I've just gotten to my office at the guard station - actually leaving my house for once - when I take in the stack waiting for me. But the morning patrol reports sit untouched on my desk when Rolfo bursts through my office door without knocking. His silver eyes gleam with an intensity that makes my muscles tense.

"Another one." Rolfo's jaw clenches as he spreads a map across my desk, scattering the reports. His finger jabs at a spot marked in red ink. "Four streets from your sister's house."

Ice forms in my veins. Four streets from where the twins live, then. Anger heats my veins. "When?"

"Last night. Half-demon girl, age seven. Mother found the bedroom window shattered, traces of sleeping powder on the sill." Rolfo runs a hand through his jet-black hair. "That makes six in just as many weeks."

I rise from my chair, my full height forcing Rolfo to look up. "They're moving in a pattern, and we still can't figure out who they are or what they want with the kids."

They're either enslaving, trafficking, or killing them. Most likely all three, and I can't stomach the thought of any of it.

He gives me a look that tells me we both know what they are doing. Most demons do not take kindly to humans being anything more than whores and slaves. "I heard that there's a demand for mixed-blood children in the dark market now."

The thought of Rose, with her violet eyes and innocent trust, makes my body tense with violence. These hunters are circling closer to what's mine to protect. I trace the pattern of abductions on the map, my ritual markings stark against the parchment.

"Have you told anyone else?"

"Not yet. Came straight to you." Rolfo's expression darkens. "But you know how it is. If they aren't from a prominent family…"

Then no one cares. That's exactly what these people are banking on I'm sure.

After Rolfo leaves to look more into the disappearance of the most recent victim, I decide to go home. I need to see Rose and Ada, need to know they are alright.

I stride into the dining room, my thoughts still churning with the morning's dark revelations, when a tiny blur of honey-blonde curls launches at my legs.

"Cappy Dez!" Rose beams up at me, her violet eyes sparkling. "You came for lunch!"

My chest tightens at her innocent joy. Without thinking, I scoop her up and settle her on my lap as I take my seat. She's so small, even for a four-year-old, that my hand spans her entire back.

I'm not sure where Ada is, but I know she can't be too far off. It's odd that I automatically start to look for her.

"Did you catch any bad guys today?" She wiggles to face me, completely unfazed by my formal guard attire or the weapons at my belt.

"A few." I adjust her so she won't tumble off. "But they weren't very smart ones."

"Tell me! Please?" She bounces, her curls dancing. "Was it like the time you caught the jewel thieves in the big fountain?"

My lips twitch. "Not quite that exciting. Though there was one who tried hiding in a barrel of fish."

Rose wrinkles her nose. "Eww! Did he smell super stinky?"

"Worse than those veggies you hated last week."

Her giggle lights up the room. She leans against my chest, tiny fingers tracing the silver cord holding back my hair. "I like when you tell stories. You never say I'm too little to hear."

"I thought you were big and strong? You're in training, after all." I catch her hand before she can tug the cord loose. "But perhaps we should eat first?"

"Only if you tell me about the fish barrel man while we eat." She gives me that look that could melt stone. "Pretty please, Cappy?"

The nickname, so innocent and trusting, warms something deep in me. My arms tighten around her instinctively, knowing what dangers lurk beyond these walls. But here, in this moment, I can keep her safe. Can be the protector she sees me as.

---