Page 171 of The Demon's Pet

Griffin shrugged one massive shoulder. “I don’t know. But I’ll be here by your side the whole way.” He grinned. “We condemned creatures from the havens have to stick together, after all.”

He fidgeted a bit, and I could tell he was trying to get up the nerve to say something.

“What?” I asked flatly.

“I’m sorry if it ever felt like I underestimated you. I never thought you weren’t cool… or strong. Yes, I was raised never to hurt women, but it’s not because I thought you were weak. Mor has me rethinking all my past beliefs.”

“Not a bad idea,” I said. “I need to rethink mine also.”

“It’s just… maybe this whole Morningstar thing is true, because from the moment I met you, Cleo, I wanted to protect you. I wanted to follow you. I don’t even know why. I mean, you’re nice—don’t get me wrong—but it goes beyond that.”

“I’m flattered, Griffin,” I said. “But yes, apparently, I don’t need protection that much.” I leaned forward to pat his knee. “But a friend is always welcome.”

His smile was bright enough to light the dungeon. “Friends forever.”

“So now tell me what upset you so bad about Os leaving.”

Griffin scratched the back of his head. “I mean, finding out Sam was a demon was a shock since I hadn’t sensed it at all. But finding out I couldn’t be with Os anymore… I wasn’t expecting it.”

“What is he to you?”

Griffin picked at the side of his nail, then went to bite it, and I lightly tapped his arm to make him stop before he hurt himself.

“Sorry, nervous habit,” he said. “I’ve known him a long time. Since I was little. In fact, I was actually up for execution a long time ago.”

“What?” I had to keep myself from yelling. “When you were a kid?”

He nodded. “As I grew, people started to realize I wasn’t their type of lion. Maybe some noticed before, but they liked me. Maybe none of us wanted to see that I was different. But then my mane came in and my wings showed up, and—”

“And they thought you were a satanic demon who needed to be killed?”

He shrugged with both hands in the air. “You know how it is in the havens. The celestials make us report everything that stands out or is different in some way. Different is always dangerous.”

I snorted. “True.”

Griffin sighed. “Plus, anything with celestial wings can technically reach the sky kingdoms, and the celestials can’t allow that.”

“They have to keep their secrets to themselves, true,” I said. “But anyway, anyone who doubted you was an idiot for not seeing how awesome you are. You’re one of the most moral, upright, loyal people I’ve ever met.”

“Thank you,” he said, his blue eyes glimmering warmly. “I really appreciate that, Cleo. Truly.” He let out a heavy sigh. “I suppose I can tell you the whole story, since Os is gone and I doubt I’ll see him again.”

“Did he say where he was going?”

“Back on patrols,” Griffin said. “I’m disappointed, but I get it. After all, I first met him on a patrol. He was there at the time I was scheduled for my first execution.”

“What?”

“He was young like me,” Griffin said. “Training.”

“Ah.”

“Anyway, I don’t know if it’s because I’m the creature Sam thinks I am, and not a demon, but Os told the celestial he was with, a tall guy with ashy hair and cold eyes, to spare me. The other guy seemed to think it’d be easier to get it over with, but Os interceded for me. He actually hugged me tightly, so the executioner’s blade couldn’t fall.” Griffin smiled at the faraway memory. “After that, the town came to their senses and stopped the whole thing. Seeing a celestial defend me turned them around.”

“Until you got older,” I said.

He nodded.

I tried to picture Os like that. Caring rather than aloof and diplomatic. He was kind and gentle outwardly, but I’d always sensed a cold hardness to him as well.

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