Page 112 of The Demon's Pet

“Because I might be the only one who can free you from him. No one else is going to challenge him in the mid-realm, if you need help later.”

“I don’t need you to challenge him,” I said. “He’s not imprisoning me.”

“Can you shift?” Zadis asked.

I nodded.

“What is that collar?” His green gaze fixated on it.

I grazed it with my hand, and the cabochon was cool to the touch. “It’s… private.”

“He is keeping you prisoner, isn’t he? He used sparing you from execution to make you his slave, didn’t he?” Zadis’s gaze darkened further. “He’s manipulating you, Cleo. He’ll use you, waste you, and it’ll be too late. I have a soft spot for you, and I’m willing to fight him to have you. At least think about it.”

I did, and all I could picture was Zadis’s bloody body and Sam standing atop it, smiling.

“It’s best if you don’t intervene,” I said. “That said, I’d still love to get to know you. Hear more about fae customs… and bonds.”

He cocked his head. “And I don’t know if I want to get closer to you if it means I have to watch and know he’s going to hurt you.”

“I barely know you,” I said.

“I know,” Zadis said. “But I can tell we were meant to meet. It’s fate.” He moved off his cushion and knelt in front of mine, holding my hands in his. “I’m just so drawn to you, Cleo. I want you. I know I would always treasure you. I know you’re only in my life for a short time if you leave with him. And that you’ll be hurt. Can you blame me for trying to save you? For trying to give you a better life?”

I shook my head and pulled my hands away. Zadis was kind and beautiful, but I felt nothing when he touched me.

Just my luck that I was already falling for a sadist with an inner incubus who loved killing above all else.

“I can’t convince you, can I?” Zadis asked.

“No,” I said. A part of me did believe Zadis that I was in trouble if I stayed with Sam. Another part said I was safe. But I knew one thing for certain. I didn’t want a bloody fight, and there would be one.

“You’re afraid, aren’t you?” Zadis asked. “You don’t think I can win?”

“I also don’t think I’m in danger, for now,” I said. “He needs me for something.”

“Your heart is in danger every day you’re with him,” Zadis murmured. “I can see it in your face.”

I shrugged. “My heart has been in danger since I was born.”

Zadis shook his head. “Be that as it may, Samael treats you like a belonging. He snarls at me like a dog guarding a bone. He doesn’t want a good man to court you, but he tells you not to get feelings.” He took my hand again, holding it gently. “Cleo, that is not a good man.”

I stood, yanking my hand away. “I get it. I’m in trouble. But look, I’ve been in trouble my whole life, and if Sam is truly endangering me, I’ll deal with it when the time comes. But I don’t know you, and I don’t want you to fight him, and I’m irritated that you won’t let this go.”

I turned to leave, and he grabbed my hand again, stopping me. I whirled to look at him, and he put up both hands.

“I’m sorry. I’m already bonded to you, Cleo. There’s something in me that doesn’t want to stop fighting for you. But I understand. I won’t touch you again, or talk to you, unless you want me to. But my door is always open.”

I stared at him. “I’ll stay if you shut up about Sam.”

He gave me a repentant look. “I’ll try.”

“Okay,” I said, walking back to my cushion. “But just so you know, I am strong as a shifter. If you try something, I’ll throw you into your own wall.”

Zadis grinned. “I would expect nothing less from a pure-blooded celestial shifter.” He rubbed his hands together. “Now that I feel I’ve done my duty in warning you about Sam, I have so many questions about your life above the veil.”

“Shoot,” I said, leaning back and enjoying the cool air in the room and the soft cushion beneath me.

“What’s it like, shifting into a wolf? Does it hurt?”

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