Page 11 of Total Eclipse of the Moon
Shane felt nothing different. The demon remained silent, which was abnormal.
Maybe…just maybe, she did something to get rid of him?
He waited for the moment when he didn't feel the demon inside of him. She released his hand.
The familiar darkness slithered through his brain.
Baku laughed.
"It's still there." He fisted his hands to avoid smashing the table out of disappointment. "I thought you were going to do something to it."
"I'm not an exorcist." She bit her lower lip. "Do you know what kind of demon it is?"
"It's the annoying kind. The kind that goes on and on about you being a dragon healer and how that makes him feel—" Shane moaned and gripped his head. "He didn't like me telling you that."
She paled and sat upright. "I might've met a few dragons, but I'm notthehealer. It's a dragon demon in you. That I know for sure."
"Is that different from a regular demon? I'm not the Lanzo brother who studies all manner of monsters and magic. That'd be Roman."
"I've never heard of a dragon demon. He likes you. Sounds like you like him too. There's no magic in the world that will get rid of it if you both like each other. Only death can part you from it."
"Why are we meeting, then?"
"You like me, Shane. You like me."The demon taunted.
"I do not."
"You do too."
Shane snarled a demand the demon leave, despite the punishment of a massive headache. He pushed harder and screamed, "Get out! I want to be alone."
"I like it in here."
Shane jolted when he realized Madeline was shaking him and pressing paper napkins to his nose. "Stop it, Shane. Whatever you're doing against the thing, quit."
"I won't let it be in control. The things it might do..." He took over holding the napkins to his nose.
"You won't. You're incredibly strong to be able to survive this long. I don't know how you've kept your mind intact." She moved hair off his forehead, then cupped his face with her hands. "I'll do what I can for you. Close your eyes."
"Why should I trust you? Why would you help me?"
"I never wanted to curse you. I was coerced into it. We don't have much time. Close your eyes." She wrapped both hands around the tattooed curse band on his wrist and muttered words so low he couldn't hear them. He felt a tingly burn along the tattooed area.
Hope flared.
"Don't look until I tell you otherwise. Don't fight him. He's not an evil demon, but he is lost. You're both lost. This is going to annoy you but hear me out. I think the two of you need to work together. I think you can be more powerful that way. I'm going to give you a bit of freedom from your leash. You won't need to answer to the monarch when he finds out you live and calls for you to do his bidding. God, I’m so sorry, Shane."
For what was she sorry?
Her hands lifted away. He kept his eyes closed, waiting. She didn't say anything. He could barely hear her heartbeat. His eyelids snapped open.
She'd slumped over in her seat with her head on the table.
He touched her shoulder and gently shook. "Madeline?"
She groaned and rolled her wrist to show the glowing blue stone. "Gotta run. They're here, but…too tired to move. Shouldn't have done that for you."
"Okay, Baku. She said we need to work together. Help me find the ones after her. But if you push it, I'll push back until I die, which neither of us wants."
