AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I nodded like a robot.
“I don’t want to stay here,” I murmured, aware of the activities bristling around us.
The Dominion soldiers bagged the bodies and loaded them into utility carts.
“I’m taking my lamb to the house,” Héctor said, his voice still tight with rage. “Axel, make sure no demons break in again. Zak, bring Paxton to the healing chamber. Now, hands off, cub.”
Axel looked very much like he wanted to leave with me, but he pecked a kiss on the tip of my nose and let go of me. I didn’t like the empty space he’d left, but Héctor immediately filled it with his body heat.
“Fix the wards first,” Héctor told Axel, holding me tight, ready to teleport us away.
“I know my shit,” Axel hissed. “Tuck in Cookie—I hope you know how to do that—and guard her well.”
“I know how to properly tuck in my woman,” Héctor said.
Axel waved a hand at him dismissively. “I’ll come over to the house as soon as I’m done here. The fucking demons ruined my party for her.”
And I’d been looking forward to partying with my friends, but at least they’d had a good time and I hadn’t ruined it for them.
I swept my gaze over Paxton before leaving with Héctor.
The sea demigod’s white shirt and dark pants were tainted with his own and his enemies’ blood. He was still bleeding, yet he stood tall and regal as if to set an example for the Dominions about the importance of posture and dignity.
He needed to get his stupid, proud ass to the healing chamber!
Following my glare, Zak said quietly “He won’t leave until he sees Héctor take you to safety.”
I averted my gaze, pretending I didn’t hear Zak’s whisper. I didn’t want anyone to think that I actually cared about Paxton’s wellbeing. I’d thought of murdering him before the other demigods had arrived.
“I lost my stilettos,” I said. “Héctor bought them for me.”
“I’ll buy you dozens tomorrow,” Zak and Héctor said at nearly the same time.
“I found them, sirs,” Cameron said, jogging toward us with my stilettos in his hand. “They look fine.”
Héctor snatched them from the lieutenant’s hand without thanking him, as if Cameron offended him just by holding my shoes.
“We have to go,” Héctor said, pressing me tightly against him, ready to teleport us out of here.
“Halt, Demigod Héctor!” Esme Von Rouche, the headmistress, sprang toward us in her high-heeled shoes and impeccable white dress suit. “It’s important.”
Héctor frowned at Esme with displeasure as she zoomed in and reached our side.
“I need to ask Marigold a few questions,” Esme said.
“Ask her tomorrow,” Héctor said. “My lamb is tired and afraid.”
I opened my mouth to protest. I didn’t like people spilling out my fears, which wasn’t good for my public image, but then Iwasmore than a little tired and afraid. So I clamped my mouth shut.
I didn’t have the energy to argue my case anyway. All I wanted right now was to curl up against my demigods, bask myself in their comforting heat, and call it a night.
Hopefully, when I woke up, everything would right itself and life would go on as normal—or as normal as the last two weeks had been. But I knew it wouldn’t. From now on, I’d have to walk on tiptoes and look over my shoulder all the time.
“I’m still the headmistress,” Esme said, her jaw clenched. “When my Academy is breached and my students attacked, I need to know what’s going on. The demon and its mages also knocked out two patrol teams, killed two sentinels, and wounded Marigold’s personal guard.”
“Marie?” I asked, my throat tightening. I hadn’t realized that she’d followed me when I chased the fake Axel. Paxton could shrug off the archdemon’s attack, but Marie wasn’t anywhere near his power caliber.
“Is she all right?” I stepped toward Esme.
