Page 70 of The Demon's Pet

But it spoke in a low rumble that Sam seemed to be able to understand somehow.

An angel of hidden talents.

Zarris pulled me to the side a bit and took both of my hands in his gently. “Time to be honest with me, little one. What is a blessed creature like you, with wild nature inside you, doing with that sadistic wretch of an angel?”

I choked out a laugh, not able to help my shock. “You don’t like him?” I asked in a whisper.

Zarris’s eyes narrowed. “Who would?”

Sam kicked the cage, his voice rising as the creature let out a growl.

“Still, you need a monster to deal with a monster,” Zarris said.

“But he’s a celestial,” I said.

Zarris shook his head, making his silky ponytail shimmer. “Not all celestials are the same, pet.”

“I hate that name,” I said quietly.

“Noted,” Zarris said. “I meant it as an endearment, nothing more. Come. While Sam is working, you can meet one of my warriors. He can show you around.” He turned to his female assistant, who had been following us quietly. “Fetch Zadis,” he said.

She nodded, and the male attendant stayed with her as she left.

“That’s really fine,” I said. “Sam’s going to be done at any moment, and—”

“But he will be busy,” Zarris said. “In the meantime, my half-brother can—”

“Your half-brother can what?” Sam’s flat voice reached us as he whirled to face us, stomping over authoritatively with Os trailing behind him, sending dubious looks back at the creature.

“Nothing, celestial,” Zarris said, giving Sam an obsequious smile. “Let me show you all to your accommodations.”

“I want to stay with Cleo,” Griffin said, but Os shook his head.

“We will room separately,” Os said.

“Noted,” Zarris said, walking forward down the damp dirt path around the square. He took a side street and moved down it to a small house next to an overgrown oak tree. “For you, Helios, and your Griffin.”

Os looked embarrassed for some reason, but he gestured for Griffin to go in first.

Griffin hesitated, his royal-blue eyes searching mine to see if I was okay with this. I gave him a quick nod, and he went in, giving me a wave as he disappeared.

We were all tired and hungry, and hopefully settling in for the evening meant we could eat. My stomach growled as we followed Zarris down another side road to a small house next to two pine trees with sloping, overgrown boughs.

Sam gave me a look that darted down to my stomach then up to my eyes, and he glowered. I just shrugged. What he did expect after almost a day without food?

“Here we are,” Zarris said. “The second of our finest guest homes.”

Sam opened the door and looked inside. “It’ll do.”

“I presume you will want to be among my people later?” Zarris asked.

Sam nodded, not saying more. Then he took my shoulders and gently moved me under the doorframe and shoved me into the house.

He followed after me, slamming the door behind him.

“He’s already interested in you, damn it,” Sam said, pushing his hair back with one hand. “What, do you want me to fight the high priest of the second-most powerful fae colony in the barrens?”

“No,” I said, confused, as I looked around the home and saw a familiar hexagonal shape. The furnishings were simpler, with paintings of wildlife and simple tapestries of blue with dark gold threaded into nature scenes.

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