Page 53 of Demons of Eden

“Sorry, I think I just saw someone I know,” I say, the half-lie rushing out before I can really think about it. “We’ll talk some other time!”

Goddess, I hope the second part of that proves to be completely untrue.

Slipping around him, I head down to the end of the aisle before he can respond, not wanting to listen to him anymore and also at least partially because of sheer curiosity. The next few rows of shelves are vacant of shoppers, leaving no possibleanswer as to who caught my attention. When I make it to the last one and it’s similarly empty, I frown before shaking off the weird feeling. Whoever it is, they were probably just at the other end, out of sight as they passed between two aisles. I should leave it at that.

But I don’t.

Cursing myself internally, I head to the other end and look down, seeing nobody there. They could have gone back to one I already checked, so I walk back along the other end, hoping Lorcan won’t notice me and try to continue our conversation.

Empty. Empty. Emp—there!

Like before, a person moving quickly between two aisles down the other end catches my eye. Although, this time I’m paying enough attention to notice their shiny black hair and the long dark coat they’re wearing. The second glimpse isn’t enough for real answers, though. I’m not quite running as I dart back, but I definitely move fast enough that I should catch them moving along the far end in the next gap, but there’s nothing.

It’s like they just disappeared, but most shops and restaurants have wards to prevent teleportation magic on the premises, even if the number who can truly use such abilities is fairly low. Most witches are stuck with the more limited versions of it, anyway, meaning pre-set routes and magical devices only.

I come to a stop, shaking my head at my own ridiculousness before giving up and prioritising my search for the biggest tub of ice cream possible. Clearly, the universe has spoken, seeing as I’ve found myself in the right place, surrounded by frozen desserts. As I scan the freezer space for a good pick, I try not to worry about the fact I may possibly be going insane.

Spotting a truly huge tub of ice cream, I reach for it, my grip immediately faltering as a hand lands on my shoulder.

I whirl around, dropping my basket onto the floor carelessly as I put all my weight into the punch, only for it to smackright into someone’s open hand as they block. They grab my fist before I can pull my arm back.They’re quick, fuck.I have to do something. My instincts reach for the pool of energy inside of me, ready to draw on it to use in defence of myself and my baby?—

“Woah. Relax, it’s only me,” Daion says softly, gripping my fist in gentle hands as he slowly pries my fingers out of their clenched position. He smiles once he’s straightened them all out, looking somewhere between smug and amused. “What happened to solving your problems with words like an adult?”

“Dai?” I question, perplexed at his sudden appearance.How did he even know I was here?“Were you following me? Like around the store?” I demand.

“No.” The smirk vanishes, replaced by a concerned frown. “We were all worried when you disappeared in the middle of the night, so I came to find you. I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”

I let out a long breath, wondering how many jumpscares one witch can survive in a single night, before replying, “I’m fine. Can you just not sneak up on me like that again? You scared the life out of me.”

“I guessed as much when you turned around swinging. You did a lot better than on your first try, though.”

“Didn’t land it,” I huff, looking down and feeling an embarrassed flush creep into my cheeks when I spot my shopping, half of which has tumbled out of my dropped basket.

“No, but at least my hand actually felt that one,” he teases before adding more seriously, “I’ll try my best not to scare you again. I don’t want that.”

The way he says it, like he’s genuinely worried I might be afraid ofhim, doesn’t sit right with me. Daion doesn’t scare me. I was just feeling twitchy. “I would never fear you.”

“Good, but we’ll see how you feel about that after we’ve all had a nice long conversation about you not sneaking off in themiddle of the night without telling us,” Daion replies, though he does seem lighter for my reassurance. He releases my hand and kneels down, gathering up my shopping and putting it all back into the basket. Thankfully, nothing looks broken or damaged. “Should have known you’d risk it all for snacks.”

“I did not risk it all for snacks!” I insist, only semi-serious with my whining tone.

“So we could leave here without that tub of ice cream you were staring at like it was the answer to all of life’s problems?” he asks.

The look I send his way at that ill-advised suggestion has him placingtwoof the ridiculously large tubs into the basket. Smart man.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

It’s easy to crawl into Ash’s temporary bed, to curl up against his side and seek out his warmth. He feels good, and as desperate as I am for another meal, I’m also just eager to feel him again.

It feels right to be close to him. To accept what he so easily offers.

“Well hello, little witch.” Ash eagerly pulls me against his body. I soak up his heat as I rest my cheek against his chest, enjoying the scent of him as much as his warmth. “Do you need something from me?” His tone is playful, but he grips my ass in his hand, making it clear he knowsexactlywhat I’m here for.

I shiver, wanting to feel all of him. Thankfully, I don’t have to ask him. Ash can read my body easily enough.

When he grabs my hips and moves me until I’m straddling him, I sigh with relief. It feels so damn good to have his hands on my body.

“I don’t understand why I feel so drawn to you,” I admit, looking up at him. There’s a sleepy smirk on his lips, and it takes all of my restraint not to press my own to them.

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