AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What?” Ava interjects in a near scream.
“Nuh uh,” Meg says. “Back up. You don’t get to drop that into the convo and roll on like it’s nothing special. I mean, not that my minotaur doesn’t have his own version of pierced special.”
“Piercings and a sex altar?” I ask. When she nods, I can’t help but add, “Wow. Anything the two of you have been holding out on sharing?” I eye Ava and Rosemarie.
“Wings, tails, and really long tongues they know how to use,” Rosemarie says. “Enough said.”
Ava chuckles. “And you have two of them. Seb…well, he….” She goes shy, suddenly studying the planner in her lap, twisting a glittery tab. “He hasallthe tentacles.”
“But does he know how to use them?” Meg asks.
“Yes.” Ava grins. “Yes, he does.”
“Not to kill the vibe,” Rosemarie says, “but what does Mr. Two Dicks have to say about you charging into this battle?”
I sigh. “That he might chain me to the bed to keep me from going.”
“Sounds about right.” Meg shakes her head. “My Leander’s fine with me being a warrior, but we won’t be going topside for this showdown of yours. Theo asked us to hold the line underground since you don’t know what kind of monsters his sister plans on bringing.”
“Seb and I will guard the ocean for you,” Ava says. “Or I’ll help as much as my kraken lets me. He’s a bit of an alphahole.”
“Tell me about it,” Rosemarie grumbles, and we all join in the complaint. Apparently, it’s a common monster mate issue. “Given that Theo’s sister has already used the After Worlds to bring monsters forth, and she tried to destroy the goddessembodied by the Bridge when she attacked the Valley of the Gods, I’ll need to stay here to protect the Bridge. My mates will be with me, but other gargoyles will be at the battle in case you need air assault reinforcements.”
“Speaking of the Valley,” Meg says, “my parents will be on guard duty there in case the fight spills over.”
“How’s that situation?” Ava asks her. “With finding out your mom’s a witch and your dad’s a monster?”
“Hella weird.” Meg shrugs. “But oddly fine, too.”
My eyes burn with tears becausethesefriends are the best any demon princess could ever hope for. “I can’t thank you enough for all the offers to help us.”
“Pfft.” Rosemarie waves a hand. “Theo bargained for reinforcements from our guys in our matching contracts.”
“Damn dealing demons,” I whisper.
“A brilliant maneuver on his part,” Ava says.
“Smart enough demon to snag you,” Meg adds. “I see you’re still wearing your summoning bracelet. Didn’t figure you for the sentimental jewelry type. At least not the kind without bling.”
I glance at it. “Maybe I simply want to be able to summon him at will.”
“That’s more like it,” Rosemarie says.
Ava’s smile fades, and I wish I could reach through the illusion to squeeze her hand. “While we’re happy to support you in your plan to save the world,” she says, “are you sure you should be doing this when Theo mentioned there’d been some complications with the way your magic is manifesting?”
“What kind of complications?” Rosemarie asks, a colorful owl landing on her shoulder. He hoots to Monty who’s curled at my side, and my mongoose chitters a happy answer back.
“A burn seems to spread from inside me every time I invoke my magic,” I say. Monty’s chirps and playful growls wake the kitten sleeping on Meg’s lap. The little black cutie stretches andthen wings pop out from his back. He takes a leap, and… “Is your cat flying?” I ask Meg.
“Yep,” she answers. “Demon cat. Soul guardian. What’d you get? By the way, talking about our cute mini monsters doesn’t mean we’re going to let you change the subject from those burns.”
“A mongoose,” I answer.
“Oh, hi again, little land rodent,” Ava coos. Monty and she met on her visit here in hell, and I swear she calls him that just to annoy me.
“How’s the sea rodent?” I ask, because a mongoose is no more rodent than an otter is.
“Cy’s good,” Ava says. “Nippy in her three-headed form around the pirate shifters today, but good. So are we talking a pinkish sunburn or third-degreego to the hospitalburn?”
