Okay, he may have a point. Maybe, just maybe, I’ve been a bit ignorant of the fact that I’m not human since Iintegrated into their society. I just want to live normally, peacefully, and forget everything terrible about my life before, including being a demon.
Is that too much to ask?
“I feel like it’s pretty clear what you have to do,” Orian says, meeting my eyes.
Nodding, I let out a sigh, my shoulders falling. He’s right, there’s only one reasonable answer in this situation. I mean, Carson is causing me a lot of internal problems.
He’s on the move right now, faster than normal—maybe he’s in a car or something.
Gods, I need him out of my head.
Orian and I speak at the exact same time, something we’ve accidentally done since we were little.
“I have to kill him.”
“You have to fuck him.”
We stare at each other, silence thickening around us. He sits straighter, his eyebrows furrowing and lips curving downward. His tail beats against the side of the couch, just as mine does.
“Okay,no—I was not implying to kill the man who might be your mate,” Orian clarifies with a stern tone that makes me instantly annoyed.
Exasperated, I toss my arms out. “I can’t just gofuckhim. I don’t know him—he doesn’t know me. Besides, what if he’s?—”
“Orie, he’s not some sort of evil mastermind here to uproot specificallyyourlife in Harmony Glen.” He lets out a frustrated groan as he rubs his temples. “I see that you’re still quick as ever to trust.”
Leaning back, I sink down a bit on the couch,recrossing my arms. “And you’re still quick to point out anything wrong with me.”
“As if you haven’t done the same to me,” he argues, but a hint of a smile peeks through at the corners of his lips. “But be realistic—he’s a human. Clearly, he really is an artist. There are literally no bad vibes being emitted from his soul.”
Damn it, I really hate when Orian is right.
I chew on my bottom lip for a moment, contemplating my real options—which don’t include Carson’s premature demise.
Well, I can attempt to get to know him and see if there really might be some deeply rooted connection. That means opening up to yet another person, and the more people that know about me, the greater the likelihood I’ll get hurt.
Letting Raya in was easy, we just meshed so well. It’s been a struggle to even let Orian back in…thoughlessof a struggle than I expected. If I let in Carson—if he evenwantsto be let in—will it feel natural, or will it be forced?
Even now, my body buzzes as his presence remains at the front of my mind. Carson’s in his cabin now, or at least, I’m assuming that’s his location, based on the tracking I’m doing against my will.
“Fine, maybe I’ll make a small pinch of effort to get to know him,” I grudgingly agree. “But only maybe.”
Orian lays back down, closing his eyes and resting his arms behind his head. “It’s your life, dear sister. If you want to potentially miss out on your fated mate, that’s on you.”
That’s not something I want, is it?
Fuck.
Chapter Ten
MIDNIGHT MEETING
CARSON
The art show was a smashing success. People actually attended, they liked my work—I even sold a few pieces—and Orie the mysterious demoness showed up. I wasn’t so sure if she would or not, but Gods, am I glad she did.
She is even more radiant in the sunlight than I could imagine. The way her skin practically glistened and looked so very smooth, I think it’s my new favorite color.
Theonlything that didn’t go to plan was Orie disappearing into the crowd shortly after I unveiled my first ever masterpiece. Being able to watch her view it definitely confirmed that those eyes from the forest are hers.
