Demon by My Side(45)
Jaral’s expression was unreadable. “My uncle does nothing out of the goodness of his heart. We should not rely on anything he has to offer.”
A sliver of unease ran through her. Here was a way for him to best his father and take what was rightfully his. Moreover, it was a way to keep his father from messing with their plan to close the rift. Surely he should be more excited, shouldn’t he?
“Ready to go?” he asked, as if they hadn’t just been discussing the huge break they needed.
“Uh, yeah.” She nodded, the charmed bracelet feeling like a brand in her pocket. “I have everything I need.”
Looked like they both had secrets to keep.
* * *
They drove until Darcy had a hard time concentrating on the road. Despite her desire to race home, she knew she wouldn’t do anyone any good if she wrapped her car around a tree. Since Jaral didn’t have a clue how to drive that left only one option. Reluctantly she pulled into a motel for the night.
They went through the check-in process in silence, the same silence that had haunted them since leaving Kerilyn. It was not the companionable quiet that had sustained their long drive before reaching Sarah. Instead it was tense and uncomfortable. Around every corner there was something new to worry about and Jaral made none of it easier.
“Tell me again that you are on my side,” she said softly as her demon unlocked their door.
He stiffened before turning.
“If I said the words,” he asked quietly, “would you believe them?”
She wanted to cry yes but the affirmation was like ash on her tongue. Even if he gave her his word, she’d still wonder if it was a promise she could trust.
“Let’s go inside,” she said instead.
A sardonic smile twisted Jaral’s lips as he held the door open for her.
Darcy stalked into the dark room, flipping the light switch. Behind her she heard the door close and lock. The room was not much better than the last one they’d stayed at but it would serve for a few hours. She pushed back the curtain over the one window and stared out at an empty parking lot.
Jaral came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. She closed her eyes as she always did then they touched and let herself enjoy the simple pleasure of being near him.
His lips brushed a light kiss against her throat and then he dropped his chin to her shoulder. “Where I come from,” he said, “only the strongest survive. Caring for anyone else is a weakness. But you…”
She turned her head toward him. “But I what?”
“You care about everyone. About people you haven’t even met yet. You’re ready to sacrifice your life for those you love and that doesn’t make you weak. Never have I met another person as strong as you, demon or human.”
She swallowed twice before whispering, “How can you say that?”
He was silent for a long moment. “I only speak the truth,” Jaral declared quietly. “I’m on your side, Darcy. I’m not going anywhere.”
The words rocked her. They were exactly what she wanted to hear, but could she believe them? Could he really be her partner, her ally?
“Do you believe me?”
His question was so quiet she nearly missed it. Did she believe him? If she could answer that question truthfully everything else would fall into place. She stared at the queen bed behind them, a silent taunt. If she believed him, they could be in it in moments. She could cast aside her doubts and trust that he wouldn’t betray her.
Except more than just her life was riding on her decision. How did she balance what she desperately wanted with the world’s best interests?
“Darcy?” he prompted.
She needed an answer but she didn’t have one. “I don’t know,” she whispered, knowing they weren’t the words he wanted to hear.
“What do I have to do?” he asked her, dropping his hands from her body. “Saving your life isn’t enough, clearly. Following you across the country to help you won me no quarter. Forgiving your betrayal leaves you cold. So tell me, hunter, what the hell do I have to do?”
She opened her mouth but no words emerged. He was right. He’d been by her side every time she’d needed him. “I don’t know,” she cried.
Tiny flames exploded in his eyes, a sure sign of his mood.
“You’re a demon,” she tried to explain. “I’ve been told to fear your kind for most of my life.”
“I’ve never hurt you.”
“I know. You’ve been everything I’ve needed you to be.” She shook her head. “But we are so different, Jaral. A minnow doesn’t trust a shark. She doesn’t lo—” She stopped short.