Page 14 of Demon Kept

“You did,” Ryan said. “We need to look for small towns near major highways. Ones far enough from the closest city so light and sound won’t draw in infected.”

“And something far enough from the highway that the lights won’t draw unwanted people in,” I said, thinking of Nat and his men.

Ryan nodded, his gaze already sweeping over the maps in front of him. I didn’t hesitate to pull up a chair and join him in looking at the area around Warrensburg. Within an hour, we had several spots circled as locations that would work if subdivisions existed there.

“It’s still all guesswork, but at least it's guesswork with possibility,” Ryan said, leaning back. “I’m glad you showed up when you did. I was ready to pull my hair out.” He paused and gave us a sheepish smile. “I should have probably asked if there was something you needed before pulling you into my map madness.”

“We came for this,” I said, indicating the maps. “I wanted to offer my help tomorrow, scouting for new places.”

“Really? Garrett and Dad are taking over the supply run so I can go out with a group of fey and scout. If you’re willing to scout too, that’ll cut our search time in half.”

“I’m willing,” I said.

“That’s great. Thank you. With the new arrivals, we’ll have plenty of fey to split up into two groups. We might even manage three groups if Eden or Brenna are willing to go out.” He stood and started folding the maps. “I’m going to go—”

“Sit yourself at the table for the meal your mother made?” Julie finished from the other room.

Ryan deflated a little, then grinned.

“Exactly that, Mom. You’re a true mind reader.”

We left the maps and joined Ryan and his parents for the most filling dinner I’d had in ages. The roast melted in my mouth like butter. Paired with canned potatoes and carrots? I was in heaven.

“This is the best meal I’ve eaten in months,” I said when I couldn’t take another bite. “Thank you for sharing it with me.”

“It was a pleasure having you. Stop by any time you don’t want to cook. There’s always a meal here.” The open welcome they’d all shown humbled me, and I said a heartfelt goodbye after helping clean up.

“Get some quality sleep,” Ryan said at the door. “Tomorrow’s going to be a long day.”

I almost laughed at that, unable to see how the next day could be longer than the current one. How many hours of sleep had I managed last night before Nat woke me to help break into June’s place? Three? Maybe four? After being caught, there’d been too much fear to allow for sleep. Fear of Nat’s retribution. Fear of leaving the safety of Tenacity.

As Vorx, Turik, and I walked back to their place, the events of the day tumbled through my head. The long, terrifying walk through the woods. Nat’s punishment. My rescue.

Those memories felt like they belonged to a different person—one who wasn’t well-fed and safely sandwiched between two fey.

That thought brought back the reality of my situation. I was finally free, and the possibility that I could go to sleep without fear of being woken up by a fist in the middle of the night filled me with elation.

“I hope you smile like that when you sleep tonight,” Turik said.

“Why?” I asked, confused.

“It will make stroking his cock while he watches you more enjoyable,” Vorx said with a smirk.

I stumbled a step, and my gaze flew to Turik’s.

CHAPTERSEVEN

“You’re going to do what?”The question came out less of a demand and more of a horrified whisper.

The tips of Turik’s ears darkened slightly in the glow of the car lights illuminating the distant wall. But he didn’t stammer an excuse to play off Vorx’s comment. He freaking admitted it, although uncertainly.

“Stroke my cock while I watch you sleep?”

Whatever he saw on my face had him quickly adding, “But I will imagine your smile means you want me as much as I want you.”

As if that made it better. Yet, after our talk this afternoon, his response did soften my reaction to the situation.

“Turik, that’s a really creepy thing to say.”

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