“Eaten from the forest?”
Rowan flashed a grin. “The apple.”
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” My stomach flipped, the little food I’d eaten turning to a putrid acid in my gut. “Are you saying I ate a demonic apple? Will I grow horns? A tail? A second head?”
“Horns would be an improvement on you, I think.” He smirked. The asshole. “But no. You will remain the same little clumsy human you are now.”
“I’m never eating another thing you give me.”
“By your moans as you ate, I’d say you enjoyed that demonic apple.”
“I didn’t moan.” I wrapped my arms around my torso and glanced around, paranoia growing. When a twig snapped nearby, I jumped.
Rowan cocked his head, the traces of humor washing from his face.
“What?” I asked, taken aback by his sudden mood shift. “Is there something scary behind me?” I flipped around to check. When a leaf fell on my cheek, I screamed and swatted at it. Dear lord. My anxiety was through the roof.
“Wow.” Rowan breathed out. “Another thing I didn’t expect. Seeing your reaction to everything, I actually feel guilty for this.”
“Guilty enough to let me go?” I asked, hopeful. “Well, I’d want you to guide me safely out of this creepy forest first andthenlet me go.”
“I can’t do that.” He smoothed a hand over the top of his auburn hair. “It’s too late for that now anyway. I’m sure he knows we’re here.”
“Who?”
“Lord Onyx,” Rowan answered. “I’m taking you to the Shadow Realm.”
Chapter Seventeen
Deeper Into the Woods
It turned out, if tired enough, even sleeping in a demon infested forest was possible. Rowan woke me before daybreak, and we continued the trek through the trees.
“Pick up your feet when you walk,” he said. “Your shuffling is grating on my nerves.”
“Maybe you should’ve thought about that before kidnapping me,” I responded, my voice still rough from sleep. “I’m tired, hungry, and having coffee withdrawals. You also said you’re taking me to the demon lord. So excuse me if I’m not skipping eagerly toward my death.”
“Lord Onyx won’t kill you. Probably.”
“Probably, he says,” I muttered. A break in the branches showed lighter areas of the sky as the sun started to rise. Sunlight might not chase the demons away, but it brought me some comfort nonetheless. “Why are you taking me to him? I’ve never met the guy, and I’m pretty sure he has no idea who I am.”
“You honestly can’t think of a reason?” Rowan hopped over a fallen tree trunk. Rot had spread along the wood, hollowing it in places. “You really are daft.”
“Okay, that’s it.” I came to a sudden stop. “I’m not taking another step until you give me some answers.”
“Is that so?” Rowan turned to me, one brow in an inquisitive arch. The dark-green covering he’d worn over his face the day before hung around his neck now, like a sort of scarf. He still wore his cloak, but the hood was lowered. The summer day should’ve been hot, but within the shade of the dense forest, the air held a chill.
“Yep.” I shivered as that chill sank into my bones. “So start talking, or we’ll be here all day.”
“Fine. I’ll humor you. But we can’t stop walking.” Rowan surveyed the surrounding trees. “We’re in the thick of it now, deep in demon territory. The glamour of camouflage will start to wane soon. Staying in place for too long will get us both killed.”
My teeth chattered as goose bumps spread down my arms and legs.
“Here.” He unclasped his cloak and slung it around my shoulders. “You look pitiful.”
I pulled the material closer to my body, grateful for the small sense of security and warmth it provided. “Thanks. I’d feel even better if you gave me my necklace back too.”
“Not a chance.” Rowan gave my shoulder a small push. “Walk.”
