Page 94 of Demon Defeat: Part One

“Um, there’s one person in my group who may require a bit of leniency in the causing problems department. She’s been really looking forward to coming here.”

“Roni is already with Brog,” Molev said from behind me. “He will ensure she behaves.”

I made a choked sound. “You just left her with him?”

“Don’t worry,” Mya said. “All the fey understand boundaries and would never force anything.”

“I’m not worried about Roni. I’m worried about Brog. She’s very straightforward and may not stop to ask about his boundaries.”

Mya laughed. “I definitely want to meet her. Don’t worry about Brog. He’s a big sweetheart and won’t offend easily.”

I wasn’t sure Mya and I were on the same page, but she turned to walk up the sidewalk leading to one of the houses.

She knocked twice and let herself in.

“We’re here to see the baby,” she said softly. “Anyone awake?”

“We’re awake,” a male voice called from further in the house.

I followed Mya’s lead and kicked off my shoes and removed my jacket. She walked into the living room where several fey were gathered around a petite blonde woman who was openly nursing a newborn baby while conversing with a rather broad-shouldered fey.

“You’re strong. Stand your ground, and you’ll get everything you want. I promise.”

He exhaled heavily and nodded.

“Now, pay up,” the blonde said.

I watched the big fey bend down and tenderly kiss the baby’s forehead.

“Thank you for your payment,” she said when he straightened. “And don’t worry, Brog. You’ve got this.”

“Brog?” I echoed, looking at the fey and then back at Molev. “He’s the one?”

Molev nodded once, and I looked back at the broad fey.

“Where’s Roni?” I asked the fey who was now watching me.

“She is at home.”

“You left her?” I mentally cringed.

“Briefly. I will return now.”

I watched him hurry out the door and wondered what had happened. Roni had been dreaming of an endless sex fest that would leave her on the edge of broken. How long had it been since I last saw her? An hour? Two, tops? Nowhere near long enough for Roni’s dreams to become a reality. Had they not hit it off? Was Brog not interested?

“Andie,” Mya said, gaining my attention. “This is Angel and her still-nameless baby. And that’s her husband, Shax, and the newest group of spectators.”

“Hey, it’s good for them,” Angel said. “I’m normalizing what they’re going to see a lot of in the next year or so. I always hated the idea of smothering my baby with a blanket just to appease someone else’s offended sensibilities. A baby has rights, too.” She looked down at the suckling infant. “The right to look at her mama while she’s eating. Right, my little snack cake?”

The baby pulled back and gave a very newborn squawk.

“Burping time,” Angel said. “Who’s up?”

Every fey in the room looked somewhere else with growing panic.

“Me,” Mya said, hurrying forward. “I get to burp the baby.”

“You can’t keep rescuing them,” Angel said, handing over the swaddled infant.

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