Page 73 of Demon Found

I propel her out the door and slam it in her face. Ialmostfell for it. Almost felt sorry for her, poor little Camille, married off without a choice. Until she threatened Naeve.

Chapter Thirty-six: Chano

Shoulderingmywayintothe room I nod at Naeve. Holy hell, did it just drop ten degrees? The atmosphere is glacial. My fingers drift over the knife at my belt, and I pat it gently. I needed time away to sort my head. It doesn’t look like these assholes have even attemptedto sort their shit.

Thank fuck mi mami is such a freaking goddess at giving advice. Goddess . . . Devil-ess. Same difference. She might not have known the advice was for me but hellfire, it still helped. I don’t care what these damn choir boys do. I know what I want.

Lorelei is midtirade. She brandishes her tablet and curses. “It. Was. Broken. It’s not like any of you tried to contact me another way, is it?”

She has a point. I just assumed she needed head space and stopped messaging after the first few days. It was nice to turn the damn thing off for a bit. Plus, I had mi mami and Lottie to spoil. And Deago to deal with.

“Naeve explained it to me—the whole romance in allegiances thing. I understand. It wouldn’t have happened if Camille hadn’t slipped me disinhibitor. Which, incidentally, made me fucking fail Potions. So, you can thank your little girlfriend for me,” she spits at Farrell.

Somethingwasup with my girl at the ball. Our attraction is undeniable, but she’s never been full on like that. Shit, I failed her. I didn’t resist. I didn’t give a rat’s ass that she came on to the other guys, I was justpleasedto let her stake her claim on me too. I should’ve realized it wasn’t like Lori to be so public.

Farrell crooks an eyebrow. “Camille is . . . a complication. We can talk if you need to?”

Oh, hell no, he did not try to come off all caring and shit. He’s fucking engaged. He doesn’t get a claim on Lorelei too.

“Silver spoon, weren’t you meant to find out what your father wants?” I pull my chair into his space, dominating it, our knees almost touching.

Farrell puffs his cheeks out and narrows his eyes as he leans back. I can read people, and that fucker is trying to look more relaxed than he’s feeling.

“There wasn’t much.”

Lorelei’s face falls.

What’s he playing at? She needs more than that.

“You’re back on Team Daddy Cuelebre already?”

Farrell stiffens, and Zephyr’s hand lands on his arm, knuckles whitening. He needs his friend to hold him back? Pathetic. He’s meant to be king of control. But if he wants to start something, I am more than ready.

“I made inquiries.”

Standing up, I lean over into his face. “And I don’t believe you.” My horns prick at the skin on my forehead, and I let them erupt.

Naeve flutters anxiously beside us, letting out distressed squeaks. Growling, I rein my demon in. She flashes me a smile, patting my arm. Wrenching away, I stare her down. Did she just pet me, like a damn dog?

She wrings her hands. “Maybe we can start by not being downright mean to each other?”

She has a point. I don’t want an allegiance with Farrell, but none of us have a choice. No allegiance, no ascension. Fuck it, I have to trust the Fates with this. I need to be powerful enough to take on my uncles. All of them.

“Naeve’s right. We need to work together.” Zephyr shuffles his feet. “And . . . we need to practice power sharing . . . I had a vision. It doesn’t make much sense . . . but wehaveto be able to power share, all of us. Soon.” His urgency makes me pay attention to the long-haired fop.

“Fine.”

“I can’t. Remember?” Lorelei’s voice is dejected. “It’s my fault we’re not bonding. I can’t . . . it won’t work properly!”

Farrell’s nostrils flare, and for an instant he looks almost guilty. He should, dammit. It’s not just Lorelei. How can we bond if we can’t trust one another? And that asshole is holding something back. He’s fucking letting her believe this is her alone.

Backing up, I sling an arm around Lorelei’s shoulders.

“This is on everyone, chica. These putas need to stop letting you shoulder the blame.” The other three stare at the floor, avoiding my eye. The spineless assholes. They’re too busy pointing the finger to look at themselves.

My demon roars to the surface, ready to fight them for adding to Lorelei’s pain. Fuck it. I can’t stay here. I’ll hurt someone.

“Gotta go tie up a loose end, chica. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.”

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