Page 122 of The Demon's Pet

“But this whole thing still isn’t his fault,” I said, standing. “We need to tell Sam you’re involved so we can get to the bottom of this.”

Zadis moved to stand in front of me, preventing me from leaving. “You can’t. That reaper is going to kill the creature regardless.”

“No,” I said. “Sam doesn’t kill things that don’t deserve it.”

“Anyone he is paid a tithe to kill must deserve it, then.”

“So what, are you using him to dispose of your evidence?” I asked, nearly yelling now. “That creature was just doing what you told it to do. I get that you didn’t mean any harm and no one should have been hurt, but you can’t just—”

“That creature is lying to you, Cleo. It wanted to hurt those fae.” He put his hands on my shoulders, firm and warm. “You don’t understand how this world works. It’s us versus them. My people, the fae, are aligned with the celestials. Void walkers serve the demons. We don’t care about killing demons. It’s just a service that is performed for us.”

I felt a pang at that and tried to push away, but Zadis kept a firm hold on my shoulder. Not wanting to cause more of a scene, I waited for what he had to say.

Looking at the base of his long, pale throat, I could see his pulse racing. He was nervous. Why?

“I like you, Cleo,” he said, raising one hand to brush my hair back. “I’ve done nothing to hurt you. Nothing to make you think less of me. How can you believe that creature when it’s condemned to death?”

Because I’d been condemned to death also.

And if Zadis knewIwas a demon, it looked like he wouldn’t hesitate to have me killed too.

Sam was right.

“Cleo, don’t let this come between us,” Zadis said. “I like you. You like me. We were meant to meet. I’m glad I called Sam here because it brought you. Just give me the word, and I’ll fight him for you.”

“Thank you, but I don’t need it.”

Zadis cupped my face in his hands, and despite his handsomeness, I felt nothing. “At least consider me, Cleo. I hate to think what will happen to you in that sadist’s hands. He’s misleading you; I know it. He has no heart. No soul.”

“You don’t know that,” I said, pushing back from Zadis. “You don’t know him at all. And you called him here to murder because you can’t do it.”

Zadis looked taken aback at that. “You’re right. Because it’s his job. Because everyone knows he’s good at it and likes it. You really want to be with someone like that, Cleo?”

I thought of Sam. His face as he licked me. Seeing him in incubus form. His dark, glittering eyes. Those wings.

There was so much more I still wanted to know.

And deep down, I knew he wasn’t as cold and evil as Zadis was saying.

“Cleo, just know you can come to me if anything—”

A loud knock sounded on the door. Then it burst open. Sam was there, wings outspread, hands in fists, still in his executioner’s outfit.

His eyes locked on Zadis, and he lunged forward, grabbing me out of his grasp. He quickly shoved me behind him.

“You don’t know your place, angel,” Zadis said, coming over to sneer at Sam imperiously, eye to eye.

“This is my property,” Sam said, gesturing to me. “If I so much as see you fuckingnearher again, I’ll slit your throat.”

“Possessive,” Zadis murmured. “So celestial.” He looked over at me. “I think Cleo should be able to make her own choice, don’t you, Cleo?”

“I…” I raised my eyes to Zadis. “You don’t even really know me. I’m with Sam. I’m sorry.”

Sam smirked, folding his arms as he glared at Zadis. “See? She’s with me. Stop trying whatever you’re trying. It’s not going to work.”

Sam headed out the front door, grabbing my hand and dragging me with him.

“Can you ever love her, though?” Zadis yelled after us, following us onto the path in front of his house with clenched fists. “Cleo, he can never love you! Can you live with someone so cold?”

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