Page 50 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

I grimace. She's right - she usually is about these things. "Fine. But no glitter."

"No promises." She loops her arm through mine as we head for the door. "Now, tell me everything you know about these kidnappings. Don't leave anything out."

The protective edge in her voice mirrors the feeling that's been clawing at my insides since that guard showed up. Whatever's coming, whatever threat is lurking in the shadows of my city, they'll have to go through both of us to get to Rose.

And demons protect what's theirs.

The late afternoon sun casts long shadows across the cobblestone streets as Vashti and I make our way through thedistrict. My fingers brush the hilt of my sword for the third time in as many minutes. Every flicker of movement draws my attention - a curtain shifting in the breeze, a stray cat darting between houses.

"You're going to wear a groove in that sword hilt." Vashti keeps pace beside me, her usual graceful stride matching my tense gait.

"Better paranoid than caught off guard." My eyes scan the rooftops, tracking the movement of shadows. The streets are quieter than usual - too quiet for this time of day.

A door slams somewhere behind us. I whirl, hand gripping my weapon, only to find an elderly demon woman shuffling down her front steps.

"See?" Vashti's hand settles on my arm. "This is exactly what I mean. You're wound tighter than a spring trap."

"And you're not wound tight enough." I force my fingers to relax their death grip on the sword. "These are children, Vashti. Families torn apart in our own city."

"I know." Her voice drops lower, serious now. "But you need to think clearly. You are worried about Rose but don't let that make you sloppy."

We turn down another street, the familiar architecture of the Elite Guard Captain's residence - my residence - coming into view. The protective wards I'd placed shimmer faintly in the dying light, undisturbed.

"They're safe for now." Vashti gestures to the wards. "Your magic hasn't been breached."

"For now isn't good enough." My jaw clenches. "Not when someone's hunting children in my city."

"Deep breaths, brother." Vashti's tone carries that familiar mix of affection and exasperation. "You're going to crack your teeth if you keep grinding them like that."

But something's wrong, I realize as we approach the house. The protective wards still shimmer, but I feel something wrong. The wards aren’t disturbed but there’s some other magic here - which means that Ada must have opened the door for whoever it is.

My blood runs cold at the sound of shattering glass from inside.

"Stay behind-" I start, but Vashti's already moving, magic crackling at her fingertips.

"I will not." Her usual warmth vanishes, replaced by steel. "That's my family in there."

I draw my sword, taking the steps two at a time. A scream pierces the air - Ada. The sound tears through me like a physical blow. More crashes follow, and I rush to get inside.

"Vashti, back door-"

"Already on it." She peels off, her skirts swishing as she rounds the corner of the house.

I hit the door with my shoulder, sending it crashing inward. The entrance hall's a mess of overturned furniture and scattered papers. A trail of destruction leads toward the kitchen, marked by broken pottery and torn curtains.

Another crash echoes from deeper in the house. My vision edges with red. Someone dared to enter my home, to threaten what's mine. The sword in my hand hums with barely contained fury as I stalk forward, every muscle coiled for violence.

"You're nothing but a coward." Ada's voice carries from the sitting room, stronger now, angrier.

I round the corner, magic burning in my veins, ready to tear apart whoever dared come after them. I'll make them pay.

23

ADA

Iclaw at his hand, reaching out until I grasp a decorative piece from a shelf and swing it at him. That only enrages him, but it does buy me a little air.

The metallic taste of blood fills my mouth as Lord Varyk's magic slams me against the wall. Pain radiates through my back, but I force myself to stay focused. My daughter's safety is all that matters.

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