Page 20 of Tears of Ruin

“You really are a morsel,” the stranger said to Noam. He grazed his knuckle over Noam’s cheek, causing the tiny human to stumble backward.

I caught Noam before he fell then tucked him behind me. As soon as I saw the green glow in his eyes, mine instantly glowed in return. “Demon.”

Was this a random encounter, or did Noam know the demon? The creatures were normally charming and seductive when they targeted a human to claim as their victim.

This one had been a little too overt.

The demon swept his gaze over me, the side of his mouth twisting with humor. “And what do we have here?” He sniffed the air, his eyelids fluttering. “I’ll admit I don’t recognize your scent.” He leaned in a little closer. “But I would love to crack you open and find out.”

Noam whimpered.

Was he the one who had broken Noam, making him afraid of his own choices? Lips barely parted, I let the words slip out, soft enough to make him lean in. “Breathe while you can. That luxury won’t last.” The demon actually flinched back, which told me he’d retreated, allowing the “host” to take over.

The guy blinked then jerked back slightly when he noticed how close I was standing. “Who the fuck’re you, and why’re you all in my face?”

It wasn’t in his tone, but the cold flatness of his eyes that told me the host was just as malicious as the demon occupying him.

“Tell your buddy dry-humping your soul to choose a little wiser.” I leaned back, still blocking Noah from view, but noticed how much harder he trembled behind me at the man’s voice.

Noam knew him. Despite the stranger’s larger frame and bulk, there was too much of a resemblance for them not to be related.

I memorized every inch of his features, burning it into my memory.

“You’re a goddamn loon.” The guy tossed an arm up before stomping away.

He could hurl all the insults he wanted to, but I’d seen the glint of cruelty in his eyes. I would bet my fortune he was the one who’d abused Noam.

I didn’t move until he slipped into his pickup and drove away, and I still watched until he was on the street, disappearing from sight.

When I turned, I expected to find Noam in a crouch, arms over his head. But he was still standing, wearing a deep scowl, his hands balled into fists.

That look told me everything I needed to know. He was Noam’s tormentor.

“Father or uncle?”

His gaze slowly rose to meet mine, defiance blazing in his eyes. “Father.”

With a single nod, I’d finally made a breakthrough, but I didn’t like how it had happened. I would’ve preferred it to happen in the safety of the castle. But if the fire burning in Noam’s eyes was anything to go by, that vehemence was here to stay.

Good. I was sick of seeing mypetit lupincower. It was time to start fighting back.

My hand froze on the handle, realizing I’d just claimed Noah as mine.

He was already under my skin. Shit.

* * * *

“How long has the demon possessed your father?” I asked, my voice barely rising above the gentle rumble of the car engine. I cruised past the town limits, steering toward the old farmhouse nestled in the countryside. Unlike the others who preferred using the shimmer, I enjoyed the simple pleasure of driving—the sensation of gripping the steering wheel, the wind tousling my hair, and the scent of earth and grass filling the car.

It was a tranquil moment, just us and the vast expanse of nature, the open skies beckoning me. When was the last time I’d flown?

Noam glanced at me from the passenger seat. “How do you know about demons?” The sunlight flickered through the trees, casting dancing shadows across his face as he studied me. Some of his earlier anger had dissipated, replaced by a mixture of suspicion and curiosity that lingered in his eyes.

“Do you want the truth that’ll melt your mind, or would you prefer a sugar-coated answer?” I asked.

He glanced out his window, his brows furrowed, as if weighing his options. “I stumbled into a medieval castle through the front door of an ordinary house, was confronted by a dagger-wielding killer, and thought my life was over when Satan strode around the corner. I think I passed the mind-melting phase weeks ago.”

“That didn’t exactly tell me which way to roll.” I had a hard time concentrating on the road when my gaze kept straying to Noam’s profile. Whenever the sunlight filtered through the trees, it highlighted blond streaks in his dark brown hair and made his hazel eyes sparkle.

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