“Are you an idiot?”

  My head hurts. I press a hand to my forehead and massage my temple. Why is he being so rude? Wasn’t this always the pn? I press a hand against his chest and push him away. “Look, I’m fine.” Damn, what the hell is this guy made of stone?

  “I did not ask if you were fine. I asked if you are an idiot,” he retorts. “It does not matter. Did you leave the body where they could find it?”

  “Yes... I left it on the bed. What is your name?” I try to reach for his hand, but he snatches his hand back as though I’m cursed. What is with this guy? He came all this way to save me and now he’s giving me such the cold shoulder. I gre at his back and cradle my hand to my chest. “Okay, fine. I’m Edith. There was some screaming right before you came, but it stopped.” Honestly, the screaming scared the shit out of me. The temple is usually active during the day and then it is quiet at night, with everyone secluded in their respective rooms. Having a room with a balcony is the only nice thing the so-called attendants have done for me.

  He gnces back at me, but doesn’t stop moving. “Screaming as in there was an argument or screaming because there was a murder?” He grabs my wrist and pulls me toward him. My back hits a tree.

  Oh.

  He isn’t looking at me, though. His ears twitch. I avert my gaze. This is the first time I’ve been to this forest. Course, I’ve always seen it from the balcony, but being able to feel the tree behind me is different. I must be losing it to be so happy to feel a real tree again. The night air is cool, and it feels amazing for now. Pretty soon, the temperature will drop and this thin nightgown is going to be a problem.

  He pulls away and motions for me to follow. I guess he heard something I can’t. Did he really come here by himself to rescue me? What about the other humans and that other demon he was with earlier?

  “So, your voice is different from when we first met.”

  “Keep silent.”

  I suck my teeth. Okay, this is fine. I am used to this. The temple was far more dismissive. Wait. Am I just trading one prison for another? Shit. I am. This guy is beyond suspicious. Maybe he used that woman to fool me into leaving the temple. If I shout, will someone come out and save me?

  Ugh. But then what? Right back into the temple like a prop, waiting for them to sacrifice me for some ritual?

  “I’m not a good hostage, if this is what you are thinking. Like super bad,” I ramble on. My words increase in volume. “And I will not go down with a fight either. You might be a little stronger than me, but I—mmph!” His hand covers my mouth. Ouch! And his cws press into my cheek.

  “Shut up,” he hisses. “If you wish to return and be sacrificed, then I will leave you here to rot.” He moves his hand and picks up his pace. His tail flicks behind him. I don’t know why the movement takes me by surprise, but it does. Another reminder that he—my savior—is not human.

  “Sorry,” I murmur, though he keeps insisting on my silence. I just don’t do well with it. No one really talks to me in the temple and when they do, it’s more that they are talking over me. None of my wants are taken into consideration. Today was really the first time they addressed me, but it was more to instruct me on how to behave in front of the guests. “Are we being followed?”

  Was that a snap? Footsteps? Great, now I’m hearing things.

  “Seven hells, I should have let you bleed out on the floor.” He stops and gives me a look. He looks me up and down and then sighs. “Come here and be silent.”

  I step closer to him. My feet hurt from walking through the forest and now on the cobbled stone. I should have snuck some shoes out. No, there’s no way I would have been able to pull that off. I was lucky no one checked my pockets after the meeting. It’s more amazing that I kept my cool.

  He lifts me and holds me like a groom carrying his bride.

  “Can I—”

  He gres down at me before leaping onto a roof. The scream bubbles in my throat, but I manage to subdue it with a press of my hands over my mouth. Where was the warning? My stomach is a ball of knots. He runs and jumps from roof to roof, only stopping for a moment to hide behind a chimney every so often.

  “It was screaming like someone was being hurt. I think. Could just be me being paranoid since we—OW!” I gre up at him and rub my bottom. Did he have to drop me like that? He could have sat me down like a proper person. “You know, if it was really that god Oeus decree for me to leave that pce, then maybe you should treat me more kindly. I’m one of the chosen ones.” I stand and jut my chin up.

  “Is this her?” Another voice asks.

  I jump back and turn around. When did this guy get here? I swallow back the nerves. Whoever this guy is, he doesn’t look human.

  He exhales and smoke follows. His attire is all bck. His shoulders are broad, broader than my rescuer. At least I hope he is, and this isn’t some plot to sell me off or something.

  I resist the urge to shrink back. Yep, this guy isn’t human either. So, I’m stuck with maybe two demons? No way I can take on both of them if I need to get away.

  “Yes, and she does not shut up. Let us go. We can talk further on the way.”

  “And who are you?” I ask the newcomer. Maybe he’ll be more forthcoming than the other guy. “I’m Edith.” I hold out a hand for him to shake. Maybe some goodwill will help to put us on the right foot. Not sure where I went wrong with the other guy, but he’s as prickly as a cat. He was much nicer the night before.

  “Zika.” His eyes fsh a dark gold. He takes my hand and doesn’t let go. I try to tug my hand free. Great, the first guy acts as if I’m diseased and now this one refuses to let me go. What a mess. The night darkens. No, that’s not right. It is as though the area around us darkens with some kind of fog. It’s dense and something wraps around my waist. Zika doesn’t react.

  Is this his doing?

  I move closer to him as the ground gets smaller and we are floating over the wall. Such btant use of magic was forbidden in the temple, or maybe it was just forbidden for me to be privy to it.

  “Okay, we’re out of the city. Are you going to tell me your name now?” The fog lingers behind us as our feet touch the ground. I wiggle my feet and blow out a breath. This is going to suck.

  “Roharu.” He walks forward, not bothering to see if we are following him. Well, it’s not like I have much of a choice now. If I go back, then the temple may just move up the sacrifice date to tonight.

  “That’s a nice name. Are you always this kind?”

  “Kind?” Roharu shakes his head. “We should run. If we keep at this pace, then it will take forever to reach the others. Could you carry her?”

  “I’m not a pack mule,” Zika says. “But it would be faster.”

  “W-wait.” I manage to tug my hand free. “I’d feel much more comfortable if it was Roharu.” It must be because I’ve had a conversation with Roharu prior to tonight. I mean, he met me st night and then came up with that me excuse to get me out.

  “Why does it matter?”

  “It does not. Toss her over your shoulder and let us be done with it.” Roharu does not look back. He doesn’t stop for us. He just keeps on as though this whole ordeal is one big inconvenience to him.

  “Here,” Zika says, squatting down in front of me. “Would this be more comfortable for you? Roharu will leave you behind if you don’t move it.” He chuckles. This guy is insane. I must be insane too, because I climb on his back and wrap my arms around his neck. This is embarrassing. This slip of a nightgown isn’t helping, but what choice do I have? Wander around barefoot until the cold air becomes unbearable?

  “I’m fine. Thank you.”

  Zika grunts and then takes off. I squeeze my eyes shut. The pace is far too fast for me. My stomach flips on itself. It’s as though I’m on a roller coaster, but there is no end in sight and no safety measures in pce. I tighten my hold and pray that I make it out of this alive. Haven’t done much praying since I’ve come to this pce. All my prayers have gone unanswered.

  I wait until the pace slows down to open my eyes. Oh. A cave? Guess there’s nothing better around. Not like I have coin, as they call it. Only thing I got is this gown to my name and even that is only because it’s what the attendant instructed me to wear for the night.

  “Roharu!”

  Oh, it’s that woman. Megan? I lift my head and watch them. Roharu is a lot gentler with her than he was with me. I frown. Why rescue me if he’s only going to be rude about it? The other woman and demon are further in the cave next to the fire. There’s some kind of horse with them, but it doesn’t look right. Something about it is off. I gnce back at Roharu and Megan. His eyes are a lot softer now.

  “Was it difficult? Getting out of the capital?” Megan asks.

  “No. Besides her trying to kill herself right as I got there, there were no deys.” Roharu turns to the side and stares at me and Zika. “Is the capital not funding the guard watch?”

  Zika bends down so I can slide off his back. He stands and shrugs. “Could be they are all protecting the royal family. I have no reason to go out and socialize during the night.”

  “Liar.”

  Zika smiles. “Where is this vilge you wish to travel to?”

  Roharu crosses his arms. “We leave at dawn. I will direct your path.”

  “Dawn? Isn’t that a bit early?” I am not trying to wake up that early if I do not have to.

  “I think everyone is a little tired,” Megan says. “And it will be a long journey.” She walks over to me and pces a hand on my shoulder. “If that isn’t warm enough, you can borrow some of my clothes. I have some shoes, too.”

  “Thanks,” I mumble. “So, why did you save me?” I direct towards Roharu. “Another ritual?”

  He rolls his purple eyes. “Because my mate asked me to. That is the only reason.”

  Because his mate asked him? I meet Megan’s eyes. She smiles at me and for the briefest moment, a surge of jealousy erupts in my gut. I stuff it down and try to ignore it. Roharu risked his life to save me because Megan asked him? Not because it was the right thing to do or because he felt bad? But because it made his mate happy? Whatever that means.

  “Vixen, give the saintess some room. She seems to have difficulties adjusting.”

  “Oh, sorry. This is probably overwhelming.” Megan steps back. “It’ll be easier in the morning. Just try to get some rest.”

  “I have a name. It’s Edith,” I remind them. “Not saintess.” I frown. So, I have to sleep on the hard floor? This sucks major balls. “Do you, by chance, have anything I could sleep on instead of the floor?”

  Megan nods. “Yeah, I have a bnket you could use. You’ll want to stick close to the fire.”

  “We can share it.” Guilt eats at me. I shouldn’t just take her stuff.

  “My mate sleeps with me.”

  “You keep saying that word. Is that supposed to mean something?”

  Roharu sighs and turns away. What an ass! I clench my hands together and inhale. It’s fine. It’s fine. I’m just tired, a little cranky, and the situation is starting to set in.

  “It means I’m his wife,” Megan offers. “But you don’t have to worry about me. Roharu is pretty warm. And we’ll make sure those guys can’t find you anymore, so don’t stress about it.”

  My throat tightens. Yeah, I’m just tired. There’s no way I’m bothered by Megan’s words. And yet, this annoyance sticks with me until my eyes finally flutter shut and sleep pulls me in.

  I’m not jealous.

  AutumnBanks

  Thanks for reading! Take care and I hope you have a wonderful week.