Page 52 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

Rose squirms in Vashti's arms, reaching for me. "Mama's hurt!"

"I'm okay, sweetheart." I force a smile through the pain as I stand, Vashti reaching for me. "Did you stay hidden like we practiced?"

She nods, violet eyes wide. "In the special place Cappy Dez showed me. I was real quiet."

"That's my brave girl."

"Vashti." Dezoth's voice brooks no argument. "Take them. Now."

His sister moves toward me, but I plant my feet. "We can't leave you-"

"The fuck you can't." His grip gentles on my shoulder. "Let me protect you. Please."

The raw emotion in those last words steals my breath. Lord Varyk's magic pulses against Dezoth's barriers, making the air thick with power.

"Ada." Vashti extends her free hand. "Trust us. Trust him."

Rose whimpers, and the sound breaks my resolve. I grasp Vashti's fingers, letting her pull me along. The movement sends daggers through my ribs.

"If you die," I tell Dezoth. "I'll never forgive you."

A ghost of a smile touches his lips. "Then I better not die."

Vashti wraps an arm around my waist, supporting my weight. As she guides me toward the back door, Dezoth between us and Varyk, Rose reaches over her shoulder.

"Be careful, Cappy Dez!"

His expression softens for a heartbeat. "Always am, little flower."

Lord Varyk's dark energy crackles against Dezoth's barriers, making the air thick and heavy. My chest constricts at the familiar sensation - memories of that terrible night threatening to surface.

"Ada." Dezoth's eyes meet mine, burning with intensity. "Trust me."

Those two words hold more weight than they should. Trust has been a luxury I couldn't afford since losing Arzollon. But looking into Dezoth's eyes, seeing the fierce determination there...

"Promise me," I whisper.

"I promise." His eyes flick behind me to his sister. "Now go."

Vashti pulls me toward the door, her graceful movements belying her strength as she supports both Rose and me. My daughter reaches over her aunt's shoulder.

"Love you, Cappy Dez!"

The corner of his mouth twitches upward, a glimpse of warmth before his expression hardens into the mask of the Elite Guard Captain. He turns to face Lord Varyk, power rolling off him in waves.

"I love you too, little flower. Now close your eyes."

24

DEZOTH

With the girls gone, I turn back to face the man who has hurt Ada and Rose so many times. I am more than eager to deliver justice for them.

Lord Varyk's lip curls. "I heard you were fighting for all those half-breed abominations. How fitting you'd harbor my property."

My claws extend as rage burns through my veins. "They were never your property."

"No?" He flicks his wrist, sending a blast of magic that I deflect with a shield. "That mongrel child is my bloodline, corrupted as it may be. And her mother..." His sneer deepens. "Well, servants will always belong to their masters."

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