Demon from the Dark (Immortals After Dark #10)(84)

“I believe you will one day,” he said honestly. And who would make sure she was prepared to exact her revenge, skilled and strong enough to punish without being harmed herself? “But you cannot go after them, unless you’re ready and know you will win.”

She canted her head. “How will I know?”

I could make sure. I could help you get vengeance. “I am sure your coven will teach you. Or Carrow will.”

“You know, you’re just like me. We both lost our moms and now we both have Crow.”

Wanting to change this subject, he asked, “What are your powers?”

“I’m like Crow, in the same three castes as her.” When he motioned for her to go on, she said, “Warrior, enchantress, and conjurer. But I can’t do anything with this collar on.” She glared down at it.

He’d already known Carrow was an enchantress, just hadn’t known that was a literal power. He wished he could believe that she’d enthralled him to desire her, but what he felt for her was too consuming to be a mere spell. “Carrow’s magic seems to come and go.” Last night, she’d told him that her collar had been turned off in Oblivion. So why had her magic been so unpredictable?

“I guess.” Ruby shrugged. “If she doesn’t have a source.”

“A source? Of power?”

“I’m not supposed to tell anyone.”

Eking out an awkward smile, he faced her. “But ’tis only me, child.”

With a suspicious expression, she said, “Why’d you tell me you were married to Crow?”

His shoulders stiffened, feigned smile gone. “I am.”

“I asked her if you were.”

In as unconcerned a tone as he could manage, he asked, “And what did she say?”

“She said that even if you were, you wouldn’t want to be with her.”

So Carrow hadn’t denied it. And last night, she’d acted as if she’d wanted him to claim her. When he’d told her to leave him alone, he’d seen her disappointment.

It would be easy to believe she wanted to start a life with him. Easier still to believe that she’d been ready to feign affection for his protection.

Sounds familiar.

“But I think you do want to be with her,” Ruby said. “You were sad on the beach last night when she was hurt.”

Sad? He was nigh out of his mind with worry, anguished.

Yet there were two issues with the witch. Malkom couldn’t bear to lose her; he was definitely going to lose her. Once she found out about his past or returned to her home . . .

And he didn’t know if he could ever believe in another again. It only brought misery.

I will get through this hour by hour, denying myself what I want most.

“We talked about you last night.”

“Did you?”

“Yeah, if you’re married to Crow and she’s adopting me, then you do, too. You’re my stepdemon.”

“Stepdemon?”

“Yeah, like a stepdad who’s a demon.”

Stepdad was some kind of father? Why had Carrow told the child these things? To put pressure on him? She had a lot of nerve, assuming he’d provide for her and her adopted one. Without even asking him.

Malkom ran his hand over his face. Why would Carrow want him for this role?

Why do you think, fool? She and the child were both defenseless here.

When Ruby’s stomach growled, he immediately looked up. “You are hungry.”

She grinned sheepishly. “Uh-huh.”

He gazed from his half-finished pit back to the child, then exhaled. “What do you usually eat, then?” He would return and complete this later.

“I like dinosaur chicken nuggets, pizza sticks, tangelos, and organic juice boxes.”

Puzzled, he asked, “Are those things here?” She shook her head. “We could catch something to eat.”

She shot to her feet, eyes wide. “I love catching things! I catch frogs and spiders and green snakes!”

“Very well.” He took his shovel, climbing from the pit. As he passed her, she stuck her hand up to him.

He frowned at it. “What? Did you hurt yourself?” Carrow would have his head—

Ruby slipped her tiny hand into his.

He gazed down in consternation, about to draw away. Why would the child do such a thing? I do not understand this.

She peered up at him. “Aren’t we going?”

Though he felt a hint of that uncomfortable tightness in his chest, he said, “We are going, deela.” And he kept her hand in his grasp.



Carrow was pensive in the wooden tub, and not just because she was afraid of getting splinters in all the wrong places.

Earlier she’d tried yet again to get her torque off, this time using rope and a tourniquet system. She’d almost asphyxiated, yet the collar hadn’t budged. With a bitter curse, she’d accepted that she would be magicless until she returned home.

Now she sat with her knees to her chest, lathering her hair, contemplating how she might get back in the demon’s good graces. She was used to being well liked. She didn’t go around putting mittens on destitute kittens or saving nuns from a nuclear winter, but she tried to do right. Surely the demon would thaw to her, would recognize that she’d acted out of necessity.