Page 53 of Loved By Monsters (Everwood Demons 2)

“We can do our best,” Hadley said with a strained smile.

“That’s all I can ask for,” Miss Sage said, her face drawn tight.

A silence settled over us as we all realized how dire the situation was.

“We’ll take lead and try to draw them away,” Jack said as he gave my hand a squeeze. “Us hellhounds are fast, and hopefully we can distract them.”

I turned to Jack as my heart fluttered in terror. I didn’t want any of them going out there, at least not without the rest of us. Chum and Bug, despite having taken down a lot of the monsters on their own, had sustained a fair few bruises and cuts. And they were not healing quickly.

“You don’t heal quickly from angelic attacks,” I hissed as I planted one hand on his chest.

“It’ll be okay,” Jack promised with a small smile. “If we don’t do this, everyone else is more likely to get hurt. We’re stronger and more resilient than the demonic students here, you know that.”

I knew he was right, but it didn’t mean I had to like it. I gazed around at my four hellhounds, my stomach knotting as my heart skipped a few beats.

“Have faith in us, we were made to protect you,” Bug said as he rested a hand on my shoulder.

I gritted my teeth, knowing there was nothing I could say right now. By not letting them go first, everyone else would be at risk. But I didn’t want to put my hellhounds on the line either. They were not just things created to protect me.

They were my lovers, my friends, my family. Even though I had all the other students here, they’d been there for me far longer. I needed them more than anything.

“Promise me you won’t die, all of you,” I whispered as I looked at all four of them, everything inside me screaming that this was wrong. How could I let the men I loved rush into battle like this?

Creeper stepped forward, offering me one of those cute little smiles he’d started giving me.

“I promise,” he said with a firm nod.

The other three were quick to promise me as well, and Jack gave me a hug that was far too brief before he tool off out the door. Bug and Chum went next, giving me tight embraces before they rushed after him.

Creeper took the extra moment to give me a quick kiss as well, and I cupped his face, wishing to drag it out just a few moments longer.

But he pulled away, giving me a sad smile before he disappeared with the others.

I gripped my dagger tightly to my chest as Miss Sage took charge once more.

I prayed that we would get through this.

We had to.

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