Page 5 of Demon Defeat: Part One

I nodded. “Promising her access to the rest of Molev’s people and dangling the carrot that different blood samples might produce different results could work. But, she’ll know why he’s interested in female volunteers once she sees they’re all men.”

“Then bring some of the volunteers with us on the first flight. A promise of more samples in return for a good faith show of half the volunteers,” Roland said.

I twisted to look back at Molev. “What do you think?”

“It is a good plan. We will need to speak with Waurlyn again to ensure she is collecting the names of the volunteers.”

“Agreed. On the off chance that this is a one-way flight, we need to be smart about who we select,” I said.

“Hold up,” Roland said. “Are we going to pull the same shit our government did and only accept people with specialized knowledge?”

“No,” I said, facing the group again. “His people wouldn’t need a cardiologist as much as they would need a handyman or a cheesemaker or a gardener. We aren’t looking for higher education as much as we’re looking for survival skills.”

“We need humans who are willing to live with us,” Molev said. “That is more important than what they can do.”

“I agree, but if we have to choose between a friendly woman and a friendly woman who knows how to grow cucumbers indoors over winter, wouldn’t it make sense to choose the second woman?”

He nodded once and glanced at Roland.

“Yeah, it does,” Roland said, agreeing. “But you don’t need two hundred farmers or cheesemakers. What you really need is an army of motivated people and a few with the skills you’re looking for.”

“I promise we’ll diversify,” I said.

“What kind of timeline are we looking at?” Roni asked.

“I think that will depend on Waurlyn and the trials once we talk to her,” I said before glancing back at Molev. “We’re going to need to wing whatever deadline we give her, but I don’t think we should wait too long.”

“No more than six weeks,” he agreed. He looked at the others. “No training tomorrow. Rest. We will train even harder after.”

Steve groaned, Roni grinned, and Katie closed herself in the guest bathroom.

Molev laced his fingers through mine and led me to our bedroom with the attached bathroom.

As soon as the door closed, I started tossing my clothes aside.

“Are you up for a co-ed shower and some more talking?” I asked, making my way to the shower. He didn’t answer as I started the water, but when I glanced back, I found him undressed and waiting behind me. His gaze drifted down to my underwear, the only clothing I still wore.

“You said you trusted me with everything but retreating,” I said. “The doubt you still have about that is going to cause problems. It would have today if you’d decided to be stubborn and insisted on talking out in the open about whatever was bugging me. So, how do I get you to trust that I’m not going to retreat?”

The water began to warm my hand, so I shook it off and removed my underwear.

Molev’s hungry gaze swept over me.

“Are we going to be able to talk and shower, or is this too distracting?” I asked.

He closed the space between us and wrapped his arms around me. A moment later, the warm water sprayed my back and wet my hair. He tangled his fingers in the strands and tugged my head back, dipping his to lightly brush his lips against mine.

“I am not too distracted,” he said. “You may speak.”

“It’s your turn, actually,” I said, smoothing my hands over his chest. “You’re supposed to tell me how I earn your trust, proving that I’m ready to start listening to my heart.”

He stopped kissing my chin and pulled back to look me in the eyes.

“Tell me what I mean to you.”

I made a face. “You’re going right for the uncomfortable stuff, aren’t you?”

He didn’t react at all, just continued to wait expectantly.

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