She pushed off the log, stalked towards us, and crouched down with the look of someone filing a complaint to the divine.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered. “She’s going to die of suffocation before the demons even get to her.”
Without warning, she dumped her cup of cold water right onto Malakai’s hair.
He jolted with a growl.
Ashley shrieked. “Assault!”
Eve stood, utterly devoid of remorse.
“If you two are done marking your territory, the rest of us would like to continue living.”
I finally wriggled free as both of them turned indignantly on Eve, sputtering in unison.
She just arched a brow at them.
“That’s fine, be mad at me, but let the woman breathe.”
Malakai glared after Eve as she retreated, still dripping.
“Youcould’ve justasked,” he muttered, shaking the water out of his hair.
Eve didn’t even turn around. “Didn’t think you’d respond well to ‘release her’, or do all demons secretly learn dog tricks?”
Ashley snorted so hard she wheezed. “Oh, that’s good, that’ssogood.”
Malakai threw Ashley a look that could’ve melted steel.
“Hey, don’t glare at me,” she said, still giggling. “I’m not the one who got baptized.”
He huffed irritably in reply. “Remind me why I shouldn’t kill the sniper-girl?”
“That is an excellent question,” Ashley nodded as if full of wisdom. “If we ever run out of food, please eat her first. Then, Ethalyn would definitely choose to snuggle with me instead.”
They both released me, glaring daggers at each other while rising to their feet.
From the edge of the campfire circle, Nate and Caleb were, unsuccessfully, pretending not to watch.
Nate elbowed Caleb. “Ten coins says the demon wins cuddle privileges by noon.”
Caleb didn’t even look up from sharpening his blade. “You’d lose that bet. The friend’s got claws sharp enough to gut a fish.”
Nate grinned. “Yeah, but the demon’s got arms like—” he flexed dramatically. “—and the word ‘mine’ written all over them.”
Caleb smirked. “Are you volunteering yourself against them next round?”
“Not unless I can bring a shield… But I wouldn’t mind relieving Ethalyn of some of the snuggle duties.”
Ashley groaned. “You two areworsethan Eve!”
“Maybe,” Nate said cheerfully. “But at least we don’t drool on command.”
“I—” Ashley’s face went crimson. “Idon’t!”
“Sure you don’t,” Jaden called from the other side of the fire, voice dripping smug amusement. “The whole camp saw you last time you napped.”
Nate’s grin faltered for a moment as Jaden winked, and Ashley stuck her tongue out at him, earning a laugh.
