Page 33 of The Demon's Discovery
“Perhaps another time,” I said finally, unable to hold back the deep sigh that had built in my chest.
“Mm,” he repeated as his piercing eyes traveled my face. He quirked his mouth in thought, head cocked to the side, inquiry burning in his gaze. Vassago’s brow crinkled, and he glanced from me to where my gaze was still locked on Bea and Lara. “What is it they have that pains you, Little Dragonfly? Their bond? Surely not their beauty or their brains, because you have them won out there by scores on both accounts.”
I shook my head, feeling even more foolish than I had before because at least his suggestion about their bond was profound. Flattery aside, it felt silly that I was upset about a simplehairstyle. I shifted uncomfortably, suddenly unsure whether or not he was wrong. I didn’t need her to be my mother, but at some point along the way, for her to have at least beenkindwould have been more than welcome.
“It seems silly,” I admitted, throat thick with tears I refused to shed. I wasn’t even sure how to communicate that I’d needed so much more from Lara than I had ever gotten.
“Well, there’s no accounting for taste,” he grumbled. “None of that is your fault, Greta.”
I twisted my fingers into the ends of my hair one last time and turned to face him. “I know.” I forced my mouth to lift a bit, but he was not assuaged.
“I don’t mean to minimize what it must have been like for you here, day after day.” He directed his stare her direction again, at Lara fawning over Bea in a way that made her look decades younger, almost like a different person completely. “But I’ve met a lot of people in my life, and I can guarantee that you shouldn’t waste your precious time or concern on people like your employers. Nor your tears.” His thumb tracked along my cheek, chasing away one of the fat drops that had escaped. Something dark swirled in the golden depths of his eyes as his jaw clenched again. Everything in me went quiet as his lips pressed into the skin where he’d removed the tear. I released a shuddering breath, and he moved back, eyes widening.
As though shedding a skin, he shook his head and straightened his shoulders, one hand held out to me. “Come. You have an apartment to settle into, and I have an experiment for you to try. Magnus is likely to appear at some point over the next couple of days as well, so you have more actual family history to look forward to.”
One of his hands lingered at my lower back as he walked us out of the estate. I stopped in the kitchen to say my goodbyes.
“I’m sorry,” I said, as Caroline’s arms wrapped around me. I wasn’t sure what the apology was for, but I did feel a niggling sense of betrayal, like I was cheating somehow by leaving them all behind.
She grabbed both sides of my face with her palms, eyes shimmery as she stared deep into my eyes. “You don’t apologize to anyone for living like you deserve, understand?” She released my face and gave me a final quick squeeze. “I’m so proud of you. Hear me?”
“Yes ma’am.”
She turned her attention to Vassago. “You take care of her,” she demanded, tone brokering no excuses. “She’s special.”
He smiled at her, and my body flared hot as he took my hand in his. “I plan to.”
“Good.” She nodded once, as though that settled the matter.
My heart was sore but also light as we left the kitchen and made our way out the front door. This time, when it closed behind us, it seemed final.
The relief I felt was as welcome as it was surprising.
Chapter 15
Greta
The apartment Magnus had vacated for me to take over was a luxurious suite as far as I was concerned. While my old room had a small bathing space attached, these rooms were appointed with proper bedding, a sitting room, and a bathtub that didn’t appear to have survived a great war. I’d always known my things were shabby, but I hadn’t realized how little comfort I’d become accustomed to until sinking into the soft mattress as I sat to have a look around.
Moving in was a simple affair, all I had to do was unpack my little case of clothes into the wardrobe, so I spent some time moving around the space, familiarizing myself with the flow of the room. I checked the water taps, pleased to find the hot side was immediately steamy. The bedding was lush and there were even several books left on the shelves that I hadn’t yet read.
I placed the crystal Vassago had given me on my first visit on the bedside table before opening the window above it. A familiar croak echoed into the room.
“Hello there.” I chuckled, slowly approaching the massive raven sitting on the sill. He turned his head this way and that, trying to get a good view of me with his one good eye. “I’m afraidI have no treats for you, but I’ll see if I can get some from the kitchen, alright? Do you want to come inside?”
He threw out his wings for balance as he flared his feathers and walked sideways along the wood, making a ticking sound in his throat.
I reached my hand out, shocked when he allowed me to stroke the feathers along his head. That intelligent eye blinked up at me as I did so. I could swear he even smiled, though the idea of a bird doing that seemed ridiculous. After a few minutes of me talking nonsense to him and giving him gentle pets, he made a gurgling noise and took flight again.
I ventured down to the classroom afterward, feeling like I’d stepped into a whole other dimension I was so happy.
Vassago was on his sofa, reading a book. He brightened as I entered the room. “Are you all settled in?”
“Yes, I think so. That raven came to my window just now, if you can believe it. It’s the strangest thing, it’s like he’s trying to make himself my pet.” Lost in my elation, I paid little attention to where my feet were going and tripped over the edge of a rug. I flailed, but there was no righting myself. I had time enough to worry that I was going to hit my head on the wide edge of one of his worktables as I went down, but I never made impact.
In the span of a single breath, Vassago appeared on his knees in front of me, panic on his face and my name on his lips as he caught me mid fall, his shaky palm held up between my face and the sharp table edge. He was surrounded by gray smoke but also semitransparent, as though his body had started to vanish. I stared in wonder and confusion as he became solid again, his eyes crimson, pointed fangs where his canines should be. And he had wings. Broad ones, with white feathers.
“What… are you?” I asked, knowing what I was seeing was not imagined. A trickle of fear licked through me. I knew now, without a doubt that it had indeed been him on the road thatday. And I understood even less how this man, the one who protected me, cared for me, could possibly be the same creature with blood smeared across his face and a wild look in his eyes.
