Page 93 of Their Promise

“We’re going to split up into two teams,” Caleb explained. “One on each side of the portal to ensure we see anything that comes out.”

“Okay,” I said with a nod.

Caleb pointed as he split up the teams, “Mas, Trey, Ember, Deryn, Rhys, and Lily will stay on this side. Jolie, Kay, Foxfire, Nico, Maya, and I will go to the far side.”

Kayden didn’t like being separated, but he didn’t argue. He did stop next to me and whisper, “Don’t do anything reckless.”

I saluted him extra sarcastically, “Yes, sir!”

Rolling his eyes, he kissed me on the cheek before jogging after Caleb.

Mom waved to get our attention. “Let’s spread out, that way we’re ready if something does come out. We want to ensure whatever comes out doesn’t escape into the city or harm the civilians.”

Mason walked next to me with his sword already drawn. “If your necklace starts warming up, alert us, okay?”

I nodded.

He set a hand on my arm, leaned over, and rubbed his cheek along mine. He had stubble along his jaw from not shaving for several days, but it was thankfully long enough to be soft instead of poky. “I’ll stay as close as I can.”

“Protecting the civilians is more important,” I whispered and breathed in his scent, drawing it in like it was my first breath after being submerged.

“How many times do I have to tell you that you’re the most important being in the world to me?” He kissed my lips and winked. “I’ll show you later, if you let me.”

Swallowing hard, I hissed, “Tease.”

Chuckling, he jogged away from me, trying to space himself as the others spread out, too.

“You okay?” Trey asked. “Any feelings of wanting to run through the portal?”

“No,” I sighed loudly. “You want me to back up ten more feet than you guys are so you’ll know if I get an urge?”

He pinched my cheek before kissing the sting away. “Yes, please.”

“Oh, I like it when you say please. You should do it more often.” I backed up, giving him the ten feet even though I’d been joking when I’d said it.

He winked. “Praise kink noted.”

My cheeks were suddenly an inferno.

Mom smiled knowingly at me, but after a second of eye contact, everyone focused on the task at hand.

Watching the giant demon portal for anything coming out.

“Mas and Rhys, watch top,” Mom ordered. “Trey and Deryn, watch mid. Deryn and Lily, watch bottom.”

“Okay,” we all agreed verbally to let her know we’d heard.

There were tons of onlookers, people gathering in the streets beyond to watch and see what might happen. Thankfully, there were a lot of alphas keeping them back and also adding to our numbers if something did happen.

Ezio was among them and even had Holly at his side. I also saw Kieran among the crowd with Sheila.

Was the entire city here?

An hour of standing later, I squatted and stood, flexing my legs to keep them warm in preparation of fighting.

The necklace warmed against my chest.

“Necklace!” I yelled. Immediately after, five bull-headed demons stepped out of the portal.

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