Page 172 of The Demon's Pet

Like he wouldn’t tell you if he thought badly of you.

“That’s why I waited for another execution so calmly. I could have flown away, though that would have dishonored my community. But a small part of me, a shameful part of me, wanted to see Os again. I thought he would be the one to come.”

My heart went out to him. “I’m sorry he didn’t turn out to be the man you deserved.”

Griffin shrugged again. “I figured out things were pointless when he went out with the fae the whole time we stayed together in that hut in the fae realm. But it still hurt when he left.”

“Simon likes you,” I said, somewhat unhelpfully.

Griffin laughed despite his frustrated expression. “That’s true. Should I try a walk on the vampire side? Simon said vampires give great sex in exchange for blood.”

“I…” I sucked in a breath. “I don’t know. The heart wants what it wants.”

“Does your heart want Sam?” he asked.

My face went red and heated. “No,” I said a little too quickly. “He made it clear that no feelings should be involved.”

“I don’t think he can decide that. I don’t think it’s that simple,” Griffin said. “I got feelings for Os after he saved my life. Sam has saved yours, like what, five times now?”

“Like three,” I muttered. Still, the point was made. “But I wouldn’t fall for someone just because of that. Maybe a crush, but nothing I can’t keep a hold on.”

“But you go to his chambers,” Griffin said. “Cleo, don’t let him use you.”

“He isn’t,” I said. “I mean, I’m using him too. What we do benefits both of us.” I refrained from telling him sex helped empower my inner demon. “Plus… it isn’t bad. Being with him. I try to just live in the moment and enjoy what I can. It’s all better than living in my old haven.”

Griffin stayed quiet, studying my face. I felt uncomfortable being watched so closely and made a face at him.

He laughed. “Cleo, you’re one of a kind. Oh well, if you like that sexy demon, I guess you’re getting what you want.”

“I am,” I said, though I wasn’t fully certain. All of this was going really fast. “I’ll try and be careful.”

Griffin’s eyes were full of warning as they met mine. “Sam isn’t the type to bullshit, not about this, I think. Truly, if he says not to get feelings, try not to.”

“Don’t have feelings for Os, then,” I shot back.

“Touché,” he said, a blush tinging his cheeks.

“I’m sorry. I just don’t know,” I said. “I’ve never had feelings for anyone. I don’t think I would even know if I did. But I like Sam; that’s for certain. Probably more than most, having seen some different sides of him. I’ll try and keep things surface level.”

Bullshit, my inner demon said.We’ve already gotten too deep.

Maybe she was right, and I should stop letting him feed on me.

Now, let’s not be too hasty.

I sighed, then decided to focus on Griffin and ignore my own uncomfortable feelings. “At least Os didn’t say you couldn’t have feelings,” I said. “Who knows? He might be back at some point. You don’t have to give up yet.”

He fidgeted with his hands. “But at what point is hope hurtful rather than good?”

“I don’t know,” I said. “I guess it’s up to you whether you want to decide to hope or not.”

“I think not,” he said, standing and stretching. “Anyway, I’m going to go nap. Thanks for talking, Cleo.”

I could tell he was still upset about Os, but I respected his need for space.

I pulled out my void sac and dumped some books out onto my bed. Perhaps reading would make me forget that I was a completely incompetent killer and probably an utter disappointment to the man who’d saved my life.

42

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