Page 18 of Asher

My cousin makes a rude pfffft sound. “You mean like the details of your purely platonic, dull business marriage? Are you researching what marriage is like, Garrett? I’m so disappointed. I’m such a vibrant, interesting, lovable hellhound, and you’re my cousin. How can you be so boring?” he teases.

I know perfectly well that I’m not boring—it’s worth noting that Alistair once deemed base jumping “too boring for words”—so I scoff, then, just to get the upper hand, declare, “Actually, there won’t be anything platonic about this marriage. Asher and I met three days ago, fucked each other into a stupor, and decided we want more of the same. Don’t call me again today, Alistair. I’m busy. And don’t you dare tell anyone else in the family, or I’ll tell your mother you’re thinking of proposing to Aidan and want her help planning it.” I end the call on the sound of him spluttering. It’s extremely satisfying.

“What, and I say this with all due respect, the actual fuck?” Micah breathes, and I suddenly remember the three demons standing with me. Who just heard me declare that Asher fucked me into a stupor.

I shake my head slightly. My life is normally so calm and ordered, people often don’t believe I’m a hellhound. The events of tonight… this isn’t my real life.

Still, no choice but to push on.

“Sorry about that,” I say as breezily as I can muster. “You know what family can be like.”

They all mutter agreement, and Asher furtively peers over his shoulder, skimming the room for signs that danger may be bearing down on us.

“So… Micah, right? It’s nice to meet you. I’m Garrett.” I stick out my hand, and he shakes it, eyeing me curiously.

At least, I think it’s curiosity. It might well be gobsmacked awe that I can be so unhinged as to be in this situation.

“Nice to meet you too,” he says. “Just… is your name really Garrett?”

“It really is.”

His jaw drops, and despite the absolute fuckery of everything, I begin to enjoy myself.

Micah looks at Asher. “How…?”

Asher glances at me for permission, and I shrug. I already told my cousin how we met; why shouldn’t his know? Presumably, they’re capable of keeping secrets.

“We really did meet three nights ago,” he parrots what I told Alistair, “purely by coincidence. Neither of us knew about the connection until tonight. Last night, when I had to come up with a boyfriend on the spur of the moment, Garrett was still fresh in my mind, so…” He shrugs, then adds thoughtfully, “I didn’t know he was a teacher, though. It’s just a freaky coincidence that I said that.”

That… really is a coincidence. For the first time, I give serious thought to the idea that Asher was right and the magicisinterfering.

Micah looks between us. “So… what’s going on?”

“Exactly what you think,” I tell him firmly. “Asher and I have come to an agreement. I hope we can trust you to keep that to yourselves.”

Their expressions visibly change, and even I can tell I’ve offended them.

“Of course they will,” Asher intercedes. “And as soon as we come up with an official story, they’ll confirm it.”

“We will.” Zac nods. “But in the meantime, Garrett, tell us about this stupor you and Asher fucked each other into.”

Great. His family are just as annoying as mine. Who knew demons had a warped sense of humor… or any sense of humor?

“If your sex life is so lacking that you can’t imagine the details yourself, I truly pity you. Don’t worry, I’m sure we can find a sex worker willing to take you on.” I sweep my gaze up and down his tall, fit form, then give him a mock pitying look. “Maybe if we pay triple their rate.”

For a long, shocked second, all three of them stare at me.

And then they burst into loud, delighted laughter.

Heads turn, and faces relax into indulgent almost-smiles. It may take me some time to get used to living among demons, but I think I’m going to enjoy it.

CHAPTEREIGHT

Asher

I thinkGarrett may be planning to kill me and all my family.

Probably notactuallykill, since he’s a pacifist and a good, kind man. But metaphorically, I’m absolutely certain we’re all dead and buried already.

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