Page 52 of Demonic Division

“I was so worried,” he whispers, breathing deep as his skin shudders against me. “So fucking worried.”

Cyprien crawls over, wrapping his arms around us both and joining in Lir’s embrace, a deep whine echoing in his chest. “Where did you run off to, bunny?” he whimpers, placing his lips to the top of my head.

“I just… I got scared,” I answer, casting a nervous glance toward Kaebl. He’s not looking at me—instead, his eyes are on the horizon, a deep frown creasing the space between his brows. Anxiety is rolling off him in waves, infecting the air and staining the gold of his eyes with worry. Sensing the change, Cyprien and Lir pick their heads up, turning their attention to their lord.

“What’s wrong?” Lir asks. “What do you see?”

Cyprien whines softly, following Kaebl’s line of sight as his muscles tense. “Is it Slaine?”

Kaebl shakes his head slowly, the rest of his body tautas a spring.I don’t know. But something is not right.His lips press into a thin line.They should still be days away…

Kaebl’s wings snap out to the sides, his back muscles shuddering. He turns his head over his shoulder, face like thunder as he addresses the two demons.I need to check something out.

Lir releases me, taking a frantic step toward the gold-eyed demon. “Wait! Shouldn’t one of us come with you?”

He shakes his head.I’m sure it’s nothing.This time, he looks at me, his eyes glowing molten.Stay with Dagny. Guard the castle.

“What about the bond?”

Kaebl sighs, turning his gaze back to the horizon.There’s no use fighting it any longer, Lir.

Lir’s mouth pops in shock—as does mine—but before we get the chance to ask what he means by that, Kaebl shoots into the air like a missile, his powerful wings propelling him across the land.

“Well… that was cryptic as fuck,” Cyprien murmurs, his eyes following Kaebl’s receding form. “I guess… we should go inside?”

“I guess so.” Lir frowns, turning on his heel and leading the way up to the palace. Cyprien scoops me into his arms, and we follow him inside. His heart beats rapidly against my ear as we take the stairs to the second floor, and I have a feeling it’s not just from having me in his arms this time.

We take the long hallway toward the demons’ rooms, passing by Roark’s room, where a cacophony of growls and crashes pierce the air. Something smashes against the iron door, shaking it from the hinges, and I jerk back against Cyprien’s chest.

“What was that?” I ask, my voice a terrifiedwhisper.

Cyprien frowns, picking up his pace until we’re well past the room. “That was Roark.”

“What’s wrong with him?”

“The bond. He… is not taking the separation from you very well.”

I turn my head, glancing back over Cyprien’s shoulder toward that horrible snarling noise. “Is that normal?”

He shakes his head, his mouth tightening into a thin line.

“Is he in pain?”

Instead of answering, Cyprien hastens toward where Lir waits in front of the open door to his bedroom. Before we step past the threshold, I shift upright, pressing my hands against Cyprien’s chest and causing him to pause.

“Take me to him.”

Cyprien shakes his head, his eyes going wide. “He’s not in the right headspace, bunny. He could hurt you.”

“I don’t care.” I shift my chin in the air, hoping my voice sounds braver than I feel. “He’s in pain because of me—because I touched Comet and caused this all to happen. If I can help, I want to.”

Cyprien looks toward Lir, who just shakes his head softly. “I don’t like it.”

“I don’t care,” I say, struggling against Cyprien’s hold. “Please. Let me try.”

Another look. Another conversation I have no way to understand. Finally, Lir lets out a massive sigh, and he steps out into the hallway, walking back toward Roark’s room.

He grabs my hands, pausing to look down at me. “If you get scared, say the word, and I will pull you out. Okay?”

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