A Demon Made Me Do It(51)

“Lucky, I’m sorry. But we need to talk…”

I glare at Kieron, and then shift my attention back to the crazed farmer. He deserves to die. He threatened her life, which is the same as threatening mine. That alone warrants his death.

I move closer to kill him, but as I look into the eyes of the madman something stops me. I feel something unexpected…pity. He’s scared. And very weak. That’s why he has his rifle; it makes him feel stronger. He’s all alone out here, unprotected and vulnerable.

I debate for a quick second. Then, I flash my hand, releasing the controlled stream of electric fire. Instantly, his weapon disintegrates into black ash.

“I just did you a favor. You would’ve probably shot your own balls off. Now go back inside and forget you ever saw us.”

The man nods dumbly and retreats. Kieron steps beside me. “That was very nice of you.”

Shaking my head, I give him one last look of disgust. Wordlessly, I turn and sprint towards home as fast as my demonic legs will fly.

******





“Hello, dear.” Tatiana’s smile greets me as I burst through the cabin door.

“Do you know what she did today…do you have any idea?” I yell and storm into her room to retrieve some emergency Energy stash. I can’t wait for the Bar—I need to cool down now.

Tatiana follows me in. “I saw Liora with the new demion. I admit, I was surprised to see her go off with him like that. Although I guess I shouldn’t have been…”

I stop and glare at her. “You knew about him?”

“I saw him coming, yes.”

“Did you know that he would like her? That they would hook up?”

With a shaking hand I grab the green bottle and take several deep gulps. Why am I so angry right now? And Tatiana’s been in on it the whole time! Just what the hell is going on around here these days!?

Tatiana goes to her cauldron. As soon as she places her hands inside, cool smoke snakes forth.

“The demion’s arrival was foreseen, but his actions and role were uncertain. Being part human gives him an unpredictable nature that demons do not have. His free will changed the course of his path, and as a result, he and Liora connected with each other.”

“But what about me?” I spit out angrily.

She looks at me with infuriating serenity. “How you choose to connect with the new demion is entirely up to you,” she says.

I finish drinking the bottle and stalk from her room. I need a shower, and quick. Kieron’s scent is all over me. Is it because she’d been wearing his clothes? Or is it some other reason? What did they do today?

I don’t want to even think about it.

I slam my bedroom door harder than I mean to, and when I hear the sickening splinter of wood I know I’ve shattered it. Great. Tatiana’s gonna love that. But one time she fixed my entire bedroom when I’d accidentally destroyed the walls practicing my fire charms. If she could restore a demolished room with a little of her hocus-pocus, then fixing a tiny door will be a breeze.

As I wait for the water to heat up, I couldn’t be more repulsed by my reflection in the mirror. My hair is a total rat’s nest and my makeup looks like it was applied by a blind preschooler with epilepsy.

Fabulous. Real classy, Liora. What the HELL does he see in you?

After a hasty shower, I scan through my wardrobe with an eagle’s eye, finally deciding on purple, skintight leather pants and matching halter top lined with silver studs. Slaying clothes. I braid my hair into a single plait down the middle of my back, because I know I look beautiful with my hair pulled away from my face. As I apply my favorite cherry red lip gloss, I realize I’m getting upset for no reason. It’s beyond silly. Laughable, really. Liora may have tried to sink her pathetic little claws into Kieron today, but now it’s my turn.

I admire my reflection in the mirror. She can’t compete with this. No way, no how.

“Are you hunting tonight?” Tatiana asks when I exit my room a few minutes later.

“Most definitely.”

“Lucky, please sit down a moment. I’d like to talk to you.”

“Now, Tat? Can’t it wait? I need to get going…”

“It will be brief.”

“Is it about the bedroom door? The thing practically broke on its own; I barely touched it…”

“No, although I would really appreciate you showing some restraint while you are inside. This is about last night…what happened with the Altrumina.”

I had totally blocked that out, and remembering it now floods me with fresh waves of nausea. My knees buckle and I sit down on the couch.

“It was no big deal. I gotta go.” Ignoring my dizziness, I stand back up.