Page 54 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

"For every child you murdered." The blade pierces his chest, right where he stabbed his own son. His eyes widen in disbelief. "For Ada. For Rose. For your own blood."

He tries to speak, but only blood spills from his lips. The proud noble dies like any other criminal - choking on his own mistakes.

I don't waste time watching him fall. My fingers trace the communication sigil etched into my left forearm, sending power through the mark. Rolfo knows that it means I'll need him to come.

But I can't wait. He'll see the wreckage of my home and understand. He'll handle the cleanup and I'll explain all I've learned later. Right now, I need to see my family.

I'm already running, my longer stride eating up the distance between my home and Vashti's, where I Ada and Rose are. The streets blur past as I push myself faster, ignoring the drain from the fight. Nothing matters except reaching them.

25

ADA

Soft sheets cradle my aching body as sunlight streams through gauzy curtains. The room spins less now, though every breath sends sharp pains through my ribs. I focus on the ornate ceiling patterns until the dizziness passes.

"Mama, look what I made!" Rose bounces onto the bed, her violet eyes sparkling. She thrusts a string of wildflowers under my nose, their sweet fragrance mingling with the sharp herbal poultices Vashti applied earlier.

"Careful with your mother, little one." Vashti's melodic voice drifts from the doorway. Her tall frame glides into the room, carrying a tray with steaming tea. "She needs rest to heal."

"Sorry." Rose's bottom lip trembles. She settles beside me with exaggerated care, her tiny fingers arranging the flower chain across my pillow.

"It's beautiful, sweetheart." I stroke her honey-blonde curls, so like my own. "Did you pick these from the garden?"

"Uh-huh! Miss Vashti showed me where the prettiest ones grow." Rose beams at our hostess. "And she says when you're better, we can plant our own!"

Vashti sets the tray on the bedside table, her jewel-toned dress rustling. "I thought you might enjoy that. I've noticed your talent with herbs."

My chest tightens, not from pain. The casual kindness in her golden eyes threatens to undo my careful defenses. "You've done too much already."

"Nonsense." She perches on the edge of the bed, her silver-streaked hair catching the light. "Besides, Rose has been wonderful company. She helped me organize my entire tea collection yesterday."

"By color!" Rose announces proudly. "The purple ones smell the best."

"That's because they're infused with nightbloom essence." Vashti winks at her. "Perfect for sweet dreams."

I watch them interact, noting how Vashti's natural warmth draws out Rose's playful side. My daughter deserves this - safety, comfort, the freedom to just be a child. But experience has taught me such peace never lasts.

"Time for your medicine." Vashti hands me a delicate cup. "Don't worry, I added honey to mask the bitter herbs."

The herbal tea warms my throat, its sweetness barely masking the medicinal tang. Vashti's steady hands help me sit up straighter as she checks the bandages wrapped around my ribs.

"He didn't do anything that won't heal." Her fingers ghost over tender spots with practiced care. "Thank the Seven for that."

"Thankyou." I wince as she applies fresh poultice. "Where did you learn such skilled healing?"

Rose curls up at the foot of the bed, absorbed in rearranging her flower chain. Vashti's golden eyes cloud with memory as she works.

"After my husband died, I threw myself into studying healing arts. I couldn't save him, but..." She secures the bandage with nimble movements. "I refused to feel that helpless again."

"I'm sorry." The words feel inadequate.

"Life has a way of forcing us to become stronger." Her smile holds understanding rather than pity. "Like you, running with a child, surviving against impossible odds."

My throat tightens. "Some days I wasn't sure we would."

"But you did." Vashti squeezes my hand. "You protected Rose. Got her to safety. That takes incredible courage."

"Mama's the bravest." Rose pipes up, crawling closer to snuggle against my side. "She fought off bad guys and made magic potions to help us hide."

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