Page 82 of House of Demons and Bones

I strode past the demons with Rowan beside me. Amon shoulder-checked Rowan, and the fae prince stopped and hissed.

“Come, sugar,” I said. “Ignore him. Everyone knows Amon has no manners.”

The demons stayed put, watching us. I knew if I tried too hard to shoo them away before I entered the demon house, it would raise suspicion. They would only resume their patrol once they saw how the house received my guest.

I stepped through the archway toward the metal door, and Rowan gave me an uncertain sideways glance. The massive door glided open silently at my approach before a hellcat shot out—all fluffy black fur, snow-white paws, and eyes glowing with hellfire.

Before Rowan or I could react, the hellcat leaped into my arms.

Shit. I’d just met the house magic of the demon house. All house magic regarded me as kin, but this demon cat acted like he knew me, like he’d been waiting for me to come home.

He felt familiar, connected to me even, though I was sure I’d never met him before.

The hellcat was bigger than any housecat, and he lifted his chin for attention. I obliged, supporting his chunky bottom with one hand while scratching a spot under his chin with the other.

He purred loudly, hellfire from his silky fur falling onto my hand like embers. Rowan watched, intrigued, but kept his guard up. After all, this was a hellcat made of notorious demonic house magic.

“The hellcat has never acted like that before, except with our queen,” a demon murmured from inside the house, poking his head out the door. “Strange that he’s suddenly taken a liking to Princess Grace.”

“Well,” I smirked, gesturing toward Rowan. “I brought a treat.”

Many demons burst out laughing. Sex and violence were their trade. They probably thought I was bringing in my new squeeze to fuck then maybe I’d murder him afterward if his performance wasn’t up to standard.

I waved Rowan forward. He half-bared his fangs at me, not appreciating the humiliation, but he had to play along to get the fucking job done. My heart pounded as I stepped over the threshold of the demon house, Rowan in tow, but the hellcat suddenly swatted his claws at the fae prince’s mask.

Rowan hadn’t expected it, but he was quick enough to duck. His back slammed into the metal door. The demon guards roared with laughter. Sy hissed through me, flexing her claws, wanting to shred the hellcat for messing with her mate.

Back off,I ordered Sy.This isn’t the time for you to get into a pissing match with a house cat.

A house cat?Sy narrowed her eyes at me.

The hellcat, on the other hand, wasn’t too pleased about missing her mark. He leapt from my arms and sailed toward the fae prince, claws out and fangs flashing, but he missed by a whisker. Spitting mad, the cat shot a stream of hellfire from his claws toward Rowan.

“Hey, hey! Let’s all be friends,” I called.

I spun around and planted myself between Rowan and the hellcat, curling Sy’s claws to prevent her from using them on my new favorite cat.

He’s our guest,I negotiated.If you want me to be your new best friend, let him in too.I added firmly,No negotiation.

No negotiation?the cat asked, narrowing his fiery eyes.

No, unfortunately,I said.

You say you’ll be my new best friend?the cat pressed aggressively.

BFF,I said, crossing my fingers.I like you, and I’m not lying.

The hellcat purred.You should’ve visited my house earlier to meet me. You went to all the other houses!

Better late than never, right?I asked.

I’ll let the fae prince in just this once,the cat declared.Our secret. I don’t want the queen to get mad at me, not even for you.

Rowan growled, drawing his longsword at the sight of his scorched suit.

“The hellcat is under my protection,” I warned him in a whisper.

“Since when?” he grated. “It tried to maim my face, and I happen to be fond of my good looks.”

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