Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark #10)(79)

“Did he really marry you?”

“Did he mention that?” At Ruby’s nod, she said, “It’s complicated, honey. Besides, even if we were, he wouldn’t want to be any longer.”

“But if you’re married, then Ember’s right. He’s my stepdemon, and I’m going to have to live with him, too.” She pouted, which was totally understandable, all things considered.

Of course Ruby would be nervous about her future. With so many questions that I don’t have the answers to. “How about this—you know that house on the corner just down from Andoain, the one that can’t be sold because of all the noise and fumes coming from the coven?”

“Uh-huh. It’s got the big trees.”

Carrow had been scoping it out because it had a pool and she was tired of sneaking dozens of witches into King Rydstrom’s New Orleans pool house and residence. Plus, he’d busted them that last time. “I’ll buy it, and it’ll be our own clubhouse-slash-pad.” It was conveniently located only a few houses down from Mariketa and Bowen’s place. “You can decorate your room any way you like.”

“What about the demon?” Ruby asked suspiciously.

“We could invite him over.” Would he accept Carrow’s invitation? Just now, he’d looked like he couldn’t stand the sight of her. “We could teach him what movies are.”

Her lips parted. “He doesn’t know?”

Shaking her head, Carrow slowly said, “He’s probably never tasted ice cream.”

Ruby seemed to be giving this possibility serious consideration—until her eyelids slid shut.

As Carrow watched her drift off, her own lids grew heavy. Again, she thought about how much she wanted to join Ruby in sleep. Or to lie on Malkom’s solid chest, with the steady drum of his heart beneath her ear. Carrow nearly moaned at the prospect of being close to him again.

But she had to get something settled with him tonight. They needed a plan. And I need to explain to him that I never wanted to hurt him—

“She sleeps?” he said from behind her.

Carrow jumped. “How did you get in so quietly? Never mind. Yes. She’s got to be exhausted.”

“I will get more wood for the fire.”

“You’re going back out there? Malkom, can’t it wait?” She gently extricated her hand from Ruby’s, rising to stand before him. “We need to talk.”

He shrugged, turning toward the other room, and she followed.

“Sit.” He motioned to the stone hearth. When she sank down in front of the fire, he used a purloined knife to cut a hunk of meat from the hare. “Eat.”

For some reason, like Ruby, she was no longer hungry. “I’m fine. You take it.”

He gazed at the bite mark on her neck. “You need it more.”

So she leaned forward to nibble off his knife, but he simply handed it to her. The hand-feeding days are so over.

He stood once more, pacing the length of the room and back. Looking just to the right of her, he grated, “Where is her father, Carrow?”





35




“Her father?” The witch rubbed her forehead. “He’s dead. I believe he died before Ruby was born.”

“You believe?” She didn’t even know where the sire was?

Her eyes widened. “Oh, wait. Malkom, there’s something I need to tell you. Though Ruby is related to me, I’m not her mother.”

He tensed. “Another lie?”

“I never said she was. But it doesn’t matter, she’s mine now. I’m adopting her. And what’s more, I love that little girl like she was my own.”

“Where’s her mother?”

“She died three weeks ago, killed by the Order.”

“You have no other children?”

Her brows drew together. “No.”

“Is there a male? That you are bound to?”

She stood, meeting his eyes, so direct. “That depends.”

“On what?”

“On how angry you are with me.” She sidled closer to him, her movements graceful.

He hated how she still affected him so effortlessly. He crossed the rest of the distance to her. Cupping her nape, he gazed down at the face that had bewitched him, the eyes that haunted him. His voice hoarse, he said, “What do you want of me?”

“I want to earn your forgiveness.” Her breaths had shallowed, pink tingeing her high cheekbones.

“You have it. I understand why you behaved as you did.”

“Then I want a chance to earn back your trust.”

Not so easily done. He released her, turning to peer out the window. With his finger against the glass, he followed a stream of water outside. Amazing. Water everywhere, and glass even in this modest structure. “I thought things were a certain way. With us. They were not. Now I do not know.”

“I care for you. That hasn’t changed,” she said. “If anything, my feelings have grown stronger.”

“How much was . . . real?”

He knew she’d understood what he was really asking when she answered, “Malkom, I’ve never known more pleasure with another man.”

How badly he wanted to believe her. But he was inexperienced, and she could have feigned that pleasure, with him none the wiser. She could be lying right now.