Page 2 of Loved By Monsters (Everwood Demons 2)

I gritted my teeth as I closed my eyes, my heart hammering as my stomach twisted.

I had no answers.

“You should rest,” Creeper spoke up as he moved away from his position by the window.

I opened my eyes to give him an apologetic look. His expression was masked, but I knew he was still bothered by my question about Charlie’s vessel.

“Thank you for protecting me, for dealing with Charlie. I know you did what you had to,” I murmured as I reached out for him, still on my side.

He hesitated as he glanced at my hand, and my heart caught in my throat for a moment before he managed a small smile and held my hand.

“Protecting you is my duty. I knew the vessel was dead, so I had no hesitation in killing him,” he said softly, those dark eyes locked onto mine.

I smiled as I ran my thumb over the back of his hand. The tenseness in his shoulders eased up, and his face softened as he stared at me.

“We will let you sleep, Lily. Just know that you are safe here. We’ll protect you, always,” Jack vowed as he stroked my hair, and a chill swept through me at the thought of being left alone.

Creeper released my hand and moved away, and I stared after him with a soft frown.

I didn’t want to be alone right now, not after everything. I hated how my mind swirled with worries as I struggled to understand everything. I’d had a demon try to kill me, and now I found out I was wanted dead by all sides.

“Can you stay with me, Jack?” I whispered, and his fingers played with my hair.

“Of course, I won’t go anywhere,” he said sweetly as he settled himself beside me.

I heard the others leave the room as I rolled over and huddled into his side, drawing in his charred yet musky scent.

“Thank you,” I mumbled as I closed my eyes and enjoyed the way he played with my hair.

Why was all of this happening to me? What did it all mean? Just how powerful was I?

Countless thoughts swirled through my mind, but I drowned them out, instead focusing on his sweet touch. Despite everything, I was beyond drained, and I knew I was not going to get any answers right now.

I needed sleep, and then tomorrow, I’d search for answers.

I’d find out why all of this was happening. And what it meant.

* * *

I stood in the training area, my arms out wide as the golden-white hellfire rippled around me in waves. It was beautiful and mesmerizing, flickering as it danced around me. I felt so in control of it, like a piece of me had woken up from a deep slumber, and I now knew how to wield it perfectly. I moved my hands, willing my fire to take on various forms. My werewolf hellhounds, eagles soaring swiftly around me, even a deer bounding around. The fire warped and twisted to my will, taking on all sorts of shapes as it burned around at my mercy. I smiled as I enjoyed the moment, the flames bursting into butterflies that fluttered overhead. A power that could be such an incredible weapon, and yet was so beautiful. I loved this new ability.

“You are slowly awakening, my darling Lily.”

I turned to my father as he leaned against a tree in his white suit, watching me carefully, those blue eyes delighted.

“Don’t your brothers know you’re reaching out to me?” I asked as my fire still danced around me.

“Yes. This will be the last time I can speak with you like this,” he said with a heavy sigh as he stepped away from the tree, his gaze gliding over my fire with pride. “My brothers are coming for me, so I need to take care of that.”

“Did you give my mother magic to protect her? Did you know she’d die against one of your brothers?” I growled as I flung my hand to the side and banished my flames away. Anger and confusion rose up inside me, but I caught myself ashe gave me a sad look as he shook his head, those blue eyes full of despair.

“Oh Lily, there is much you do not know. You will learn in time though. This hellfire you can control, it can be used on both demonics and angelics alike. But be careful, as it’ll even hurt your hellhounds, which you’ve already discovered,” he said as he straightened his suit and gave me a sorrowful look.

“Tell me then, now,” I demanded. “What don’t I know? Did your power destroy my mother and your brother? What happened that day?” I snapped as I balled my hands. I just wanted to know at least one thing for sure in all the chaos that was my life right now. I needed to know what had happened to my mother.

“I’m afraid now is not the time, Lily. You must focus on your power in order to protect yourself, learn how to master it perfectly, wield it to its full potential. I will reach out to you again when I can,” he said quickly as he looked to the darkening sky overhead, his eyes flickering with frustration and anger.

I followed his gaze to where deathly black clouds were now rolling in, and a chill ran down my spine at the sight. A wind whipped up around me, and I gritted my teeth. What was going on? Was something infiltrating this dream connection?

“Take care of yourself, Lily. Things are going to get harder for you now,” my father called out over the growing wind around us.

I looked back to him to ask what was happening and what he meant, but he’d vanished from sight.

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