Page 65 of The Demon's Pet

“Why did you save me?” I asked. “I’m a demon. I just don’t get what you could want.”

His lids lowered slightly. “I told you. I can’t tell you that now.”

“Ugh!” I wanted to stomp in frustration. “Fine. I obviously won’t fall in love with you. You’re a sword-waving psychopath who kissed me against my will in the stocks!”

“Still going on about that, are you? Still denying it was the hottest moment of your life?”

My cheeks burned, flaming red in all likelihood. “I didn’t consent.”

“Fine,” he said, hands tightening into fists. “Not a mistake I’m going to make again, you little virgin.” He took a step back. “But you’re going to have to experiment with a few mortal sins if you want to see what kind of demon you are. If you want to have more power—”

I blinked. “Mortal sins?”

He looked past me, and I realized Os and Griffin must have been noticing.

He lowered his voice. Gods, he had a sexy voice. “I just wanted to warn you about where we’re going,” he said. “Fae barrens in the mid-realm.”

Excitement burst in my chest. “Fae?”

He nodded. “The warriors there won’t like that you’re a demon, if they happen to figure it out despite your collar. You must stay close to my side, at all costs.”

“I’m on a tether,” I said. “It’s not like I have a choice.”

“I haven’t put one back on,” he said. “If you run, I can catch you. I was only being strict back at the haven because if you ran and the wolves caught you, there would be no way to save you.”

I blinked at that, then grinned at him. “So you do care.”

His gaze was hard. “I care about one thing you might be able to do for me. That’s all.”

“Can I ask one question?”

“No,” he said flatly.

“But you seem to hate celestials, even if you’re a celestial—”

“I said no,” he said. “Now come on. I just wanted your promise that you would stay close in fae country. If I tether you, they’ll feel the magic of it and might ask questions. It would be best if you acted as if you were by my side of your own free will.”

“Why?” I asked. “Won’t it look bad that you hang out with a demon?”

“They won’t know you’re a demon at first,” he said. “And they won’t like that I have a shifter on a chain. They see shifters as holy animals, blessed by the celestials. The fae worship nature and love animals. They’ll see you as something interesting because shifters are rarely seen in the mid-realm.”

“Really?”

“Really,” Sam retorted.

“Fine,” I said. “I guess I can stay by your side and play nice.”

“This is the last stop on the way to my place. I promise to reveal everything I can there, when it’s safe. If you can just trust me until then—”

“I do,” I said.

“Fae have some odd customs,” he said. “I may say things you hate. But—”

“I get it,” I said. “Stay close, fate worse than death, blah, blah, blah—”

“One of the warriors might offer you escape, if he thinks I’m unfairly using you,” Sam said. “You must refuse.”

“Why?” I asked. “Jealous?”

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