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“Hey everyone.We’re the advance team from the sponsors. I want to welcome you and no doubtyour very talented progeny to this year’s Miss Smile-Rite Exhibition. Remembereveryone, with Smile-Rite, you’ll always Smile Bright!”
Say what now? Shawstared at Kaleb in shock as thunderous applause and cheering suddenly split theair.
Heavens, she wasgoing to have to change her stance on the Demon. Yes, he was annoyingly chatty,and yes, he was pretty, but damn, if the bastard wasn’t also brilliant. She sohated being wrong. For some reason this particular Demon had been throwing herfor a loop since the moment they first met, when she’d mistakenly believed hewas having rough sex in his office with a Gxthian.
She should haveremembered this male was not only Galen’s best friend but that he’d held offboth Galen and Stephanie’s best efforts to enrol their soon to arrive daughtersat his exclusive pre-school. Shaw was left wondering, perhaps far too late, whoexactly had she made an alliance with? And why exactly had he requested theirpact last for ten days? What happened on the tenth day?
Crap, she’d beenthinking she held all the power when it came to their agreement but was quicklycoming to believe she’d been had. Oh well, the Demon could be as tricky as heliked, but Shaw would still bet the sharp edge of her halberds against hissmarts any day of the week.
Chapter Four
“Do you thinkthey’re dead?”
Say what now?Shaw’s eyes refused to open. Her head pounding like her awesome sister Valkyrie,Pennitka, pounded on their enemies with her war hammers. Often and withvigorous enthusiasm. And who the hell was talking? Shaw didn’t sense a threatbut heavens, she wished they’d shut up.
“Dare you to touchthem.”
“Ew. Do you knowhow many germs are on a dead body?”
“No. And neitherdo you.”
“Do so.”
“Do not. Knowingthe names of a couple of bones does not make you any sort of expert.”
“I know the namesof all the bones in the body, Jacinta, so yes, that does make me an expert.”
“Please, anatomyis so pedestrian, a four year old could memorise two-hundred and six bones.Now, if we were talking about celestial bodies and the infinite universe, I-”
“Hush, both ofyou, and get out of the way. I’ll find out if they’re dead.”
There were a fewmoments of blessed silence, Shaw prayed whoever they were they’d gone away, butinstead she found herself being poked hard on the cheek. Thankfully this timeher eyelids worked, snapping open. Unfortunately, all she received for herefforts was shrill screams of horror and shock, emanating from a band of ninesmall female children.
“What? What?”Kaleb sat up abruptly, blearily looking around in confusion. “She said she wasof legal age, Offic-” A sharp elbow to the gut cut off his next words.Lightning fast Kaleb processed the situation. The audience of nine little girlsstanding before him, all about the age of five he was guessing. Though theirbouffant hair in most cases made them look taller, older. The fear in theireyes quickly changing to avid curiosity.
“They’re alive.”
“Thanks for alwaysstating the obvious, Maddyson.”
“Don’t get snottywith me, Jacinta, you were the one who thought they were dead and were tooafraid to touch them.”
“Could we turn thedial down to more of a whisper, please?” Begged Shaw, rubbing at her eyes andchecking to make sure she hadn’t been drooling.
“Ladies.” Kalebaddressed their audience. “I don’t mean to be impertinent, but would itpossible for my colleague and I to have a few brief minutes alone to makeourselves presentable?”
After a shortbrief discussion, the nine girls reluctantly exited the room.
“Thank Freyja.”Shaw breathed out, collapsing back down. “Where the hell are we, Demon? Andwhat, By Holy Heaven, is going on? And keep it brief, I’m not up for all yourchatter this morning.”
“Galen’s sisters.”
Like thatexplained anything. “I’m going to need more than that.”
“Don’t youremember last night?” Kaleb lifted his arm reluctantly away from where it hadbeen resting over Shaw’s waist. Surprised to discover how much he missed thefeel and heat of the Valkyrie he had spent the wee small hours spooning. Thetwo of them having co-opted a stack of very comfortable gymnastics mats for amakeshift bed. Moving slowly to the edge of the mats, dangling his legs overthe side, Kaleb raked fingers through his hair.
“Remember? Um.Sort of.” Shaw dragged herself upright. Ouch. “What’s wrong with my head?”
“You’re hungover.”
