The Demon's Half

Chapter 22

The morning light stabbed through my closed eyelids, sharp and relentless. I winced, turning my face away as my vision adjusted.

I expected to appear in the graveyard—where my father was probably still being tortured.

Instead, all I saw was a quaint wooden cottage, its stone chimney curling warmth into the crisp morning air. The cemetery was nowhere in sight.

My stomach dropped. I knew we wouldn't free him today. But that traitorous shred of hope still clung to me, whispering that maybe, just maybe, Oz had changed his mind. That maybe, today would be the day.

But it wasn't.

I hated that I had to ask again, but the question burned in my throat. I turned to the demon beside me. "Where are we?" The morning chill seeped through my dress—the crimson one Jade had lent me. Still clinging to my body, still leaving too much of me exposed. I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing for warmth. Wishing to be covered.

Oz didn't answer. Instead, he asked nonchalantly, "You have the rosary and the dagger?"

Before I could reply, a strange sensation rushed over me, like air folding in on itself. I looked down.

The dress was gone.

In its place, a pair of pants and a black hoodie. The fabric was soft, the fit was huge on me but still cozy, and—annoyingly—it smelled like him.

I refused to thank him.

"Yes," I muttered instead. I always had Mia's Rosary in my pocket. Always. And the dagger was still in my grip, cool against my palm. "Where are we?" I asked again.

"Turnik," he said casually, already moving toward the cottage.

I froze. My breath caught in my throat.

Turnik was two cities away from Moonveil.

"What? Why? How—" My protest died as he appeared in front of me, his hands gripping my shoulders. Heat pulsed through his palms, chasing away the morning chill.

His face tilted down, gaze locking onto mine. "Alright, love," he murmured, voice smooth, teasing, yet edged with urgency. "As much as I enjoy our little game—where you act surprised by my power and I remind you just how much I have—time is precious. Let's not waste it."

Before I could push him away, he took my hand, tugging me toward the entrance of the cottage.

I hadn't even noticed how big it was.

"Why are we here?" I whispered, the sheer size of the place making my skin prickle. "Who lives here?"

Oz sighed, his tone unusually grave. "Put the rosary on."

I obeyed without question, fastening it around my neck.

"A word of caution," he continued, stepping closer. "If you can avoid meeting her gaze, do so. In fact, try not to look at her face at all." His piercing blue eyes locked onto mine, stealing my breath. "And refrain from speaking unless she prompts you."

"She?" I murmured as we neared the front door, my voice barely above a whisper. "Is it a she... or a demon?"

"Both," he said shrugging. "And a bit more."

A chill slithered down my spine.

"I don't want to see another demon," I whispered, instinctively pulling away from his grasp.

In a flash, he turned, closing the space between us. His face was mere inches from mine, his breath warm against my skin.

"Just me, hmm?" he purred, a wicked grin tugging at his lips.