Page 59 of Demon Found

Hairy Harpy: May as well be honest with the PIG guys.

Farrell: What the fuck Lorelei?

Hairy Harpy: Yeah, they totally know you, Naeve, Chano and I are all fucking. Just come clean when they speak to you. They were pretty cool about it.

Space Cadet: You’re all what? I’m the damn hippy. Where was my invite?

I see three little dots next to Farrell’s name, then they vanish, and appear again. Giggling, I wait for the response. They might be monitoring student’s devices, so Farrell can’t say much. He must be raging right now. My toes curl in childish delight.

Naive: They know about Chano?

Hairy Harpy: Yip! Said they don’t care about polyamory. It is pretty normal for demons like Chano. And it doesn’t matter to them that one of us is the governor’s son and another a gang leader.So . . . go with it, I guess. I’ll tell Chano.

Farrell: If my father hears of this, I’m in serious trouble.

Hairy Harpy: Too late to worry about that now, sweet cheeks. Should have thought of that before you got hot and sweaty with your enemy. And change my fucking name already.

Grinning, I make it back to the dorm to find an equally amused Naeve. Farrell is going to hate this—I love it!

My wrist tingles, and I scrub at my skin. Dammit, I’m itchy all over. Being around the PIG makes me feel unclean. There’s something about authority, PIG, government; they put me on edge.

Claiming the bathroom, I crank up the heat on the shower and create a mini steam room.Thisis what I need to relax. A couple of Naeve’s candles sit on the counter begging to be lit. Eyeing them carefully, I concentrate on the tip of my index finger. A teeny tiny flame sparks to life and I transfer it to the wicks without setting anything else on fire. Point to Lorelei.

Stepping under the hot spray, the tension gradually eases from my muscles. The lavender scent from the candles fills the air, and I lean my forehead to the cool tile. It’s been a shitshow, coming to the academy, but somehow, I’m finally carving a little space out for myself. I might have a shot at this whole allegiance thing. At friends. Farrell might even be thawing out a little.

My mind plays over the conversation with the PIG How that agent’s eyes lit up at the idea of me and two guys. Hellfire, no matter how creepy the agent was, I could still get on board with that. The suds run over my body, and my thoughts drift to kissing Farrell. He’s an ass, but when that frosty demeanor drops, he’s passionate. And Chano . . . there was an edge to our kiss that promised so much freaking more. He’s a damn demon, I’m pretty sure he’d be demanding if we went further. And demons share. Would he want to share me? Snorting at how flustered I’m getting myself, I turn the water off.

Scratching at my arm, I let the last of the water drip away and step out of the shower. I reach for one of the fluffy towels and I freeze midstretch.What the actual fuck is that?

My allegiance mark is lit up like a firework display. I rub at it, and it burns brighter, actual flames licking over my skin. I stare, bemused. I go on fire when I’m angry, not relaxed.

Wait. That’s not . . . It can’t be?

I have five allegiance marks. Five. Not four. I trace my finger over each one. Me. Naeve. Farrell. Zephyr . . .

Chano.

As soon as I think his name, I know I’m right. A weird certainty thrums through me, bubbling under my skin.

Oh hell no. This isallkinds of fucked up. Maverik and Cuelebre in one allegiance? They won’t accept this.

And I’ve kissed them both.

Chapter Thirty: Chano

She’ssomething,thatchica.The pull to her is crazy, and she’s not even a demon. What was I thinking, taking her on a job? No one outside the Maveriks on jobs, that’s the rule. My rule. And yet, she surprised me. Picking a lock, that juvie record, barely batting an eye, well, until she uncovered Seth’s letter. She’s got the balls of a centaur.

The corners of my mouth curl up. She wanted me. I felt it. She wasn’t afraid of me either. She wanted me, and I sure as hell want her. It’s like a base need burning in my blackened soul.

Fuck her scheming brother. I would do anything for Lottie. How can Seth pull shit like that? He deserves to be taught a lesson, and I’m one hundred percent the guy for the job. But would Lorelei want that?

Giving up on sleep, I lope out of my dorm and take off at pace toward the woods. It’s dark enough in there that no one’s going to spot me breaking the curfew.

Prowling deeper into the woods, I let my senses unfurl. The mice in the undergrowth and the owl in the branches overhead all freeze until I pass them. The woods are Maverik turf. My turf. Picking up the pace, I charge along the paths, trying to run out my frustration, enjoying the deep burn in my muscles. Finally, chest heaving, my shirt soaked in sweat, I stop. Without thinking, I’ve ended up at the monolith. I pat the smooth stone and sink down with my back to it, gazing out into the night. Hands resting on my knees, my breathing settles, and the thundering of my heart calms.

Some little fucker of an insect has bitten me. I scratch at my wrist. Asshole bugs. No sense of self preservation. Don’t they know not to fuck with demon blood?

The world grinds to a halt. The background noises of the night fade, and my sight narrows, focusing solely on my wrist.

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