Page 51 of Demon Shock

“We are going to Unity and will need an escort,” Gyrik said while I rained my love onto Pete.

Several of the fey stepped forward. Gyrik nodded and took Pete from me to pass off to one volunteer. Then I was in Gyrik’s arms again, fighting against the urge to gag as he jumped over the wall.

At the top, he paused, which gave my stomach a moment to settle while the others jumped down by the trucks. Bram and Zach, who were still unloading with some other fey, called out greetings, and I watched how they interacted. The way the fey responded was more reserved but still familiar and friendly.

“Are you ready?” Gyrik asked.

“I am. Thank you.”

His arms tightened around me, pressing me firmly against his chest, which helped me feel a little more secure when he stepped off the edge. After he landed, he smoothed his hand down my back as I clung to him.

“Thank you,” I mumbled into his chest, not yet ready to let him go.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

GYRIK

I heldAva and waited for her pulse to calm from the jump down. She felt so good in my arms. But the way she wrapped her arms around my waist and held me in return was even better.

My brothers glanced at us and grinned knowingly.

I’d found my female, and I would never let her go. However, when she lifted her head and looked up at me, I knew I needed to. Temporarily. I brushed the hair back from her face that had come loose, and she smiled as she released me.

“What do you think?” Zach asked, walking over to us. “Are you staying?”

“Mya said that I could choose which community,” Ava said. “Gyrik and I are going to tour Unity. Since my day job no longer exists, I’ll need something to occupy my time, or I’ll go crazy. Gardening seems like a good fit.”

One of my brothers near Bram asked him, “Why is sex not an occupation?”

Bram choked on his laughter as they waited for his answer. Ava glanced at him, but I knew she hadn’t heard the question. They were too far away and spoke softly. It was a good question, though, and I was about to ask Ava when she looked up at me.

“You have a lot of experience gardening, right? You said there were fields in the caves that you tended?”

I nodded.

“Good. Then we can be farmers together.”

Together. The way she said it warmed my chest.

“Well, all your supplies are still in your truck except for the generator and the batteries,” Zach said. “If you don’t mind, we’ll allocate those to wherever they’re needed most.”

“That makes sense.” Her gaze found mine again. “Are you ready?”

Ready to live with her? Ready to hold her in my arms every night? I nodded as my heart beat faster in anticipation.

“If Unity isn’t a good fit, come back here. I know you’d like living in Tolerance,” Zach said.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” Ava said as she moved toward her truck.

Bauts opened the passenger door for her and handed her Pete. I took Repeat from Ashkii and got in.

“Are they going to take that truck?” Ava asked, nodding toward the one Bram and my brothers were almost done unloading.

“No. They will run.” I started the engine and set Repeat on my shoulder so he could make himself comfortable. He jumped to the headrest, using it and my neck to lie down.

“How far away is Unity?” Ava asked, watching my brothers as I turned the truck around.

“Not far.”

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