Demon Discord by M.J. Haag

Chapter Ten

“What do you want, Terri?”

Brooke’s abrupt change in topic confused me, and I sat down on my barely clad bottom.

“I don’t understand.”

“Wayne was always a dick to you. Nothing over the top, but he was rarely sweet to you, and you always seemed unhappy. Even on the days that Bobby came back with enough food to stuff us. So, I guess I’m asking what would bring you joy.

“If all you focus on are the things that scare you, you’re probably going to keep passing out. But maybe, if you have that one thing that you really want and can focus on that instead, you won’t be on your back so much.

“So, what do you want out of life? Don’t think about the past. Think about the present. Right now. What do you want?”

I gave her question some real consideration. The answer that always came to mind first didn’t this time, though. Oh, I still wanted a baby with every fiber of my being, but I realized that would never happen because I was too afraid of all the steps I’d need to take to get there.

Essentially, I’d created my own hell loop. I wanted a baby but not to watch it die. It needed parents strong enough, brave enough, to protect it. A fey father would deliver on the strength. But every time I paid attention to their predatory eyes and remembered how easily they killed, I froze up on the inside. I would never have what I truly wanted until I figured out how to be completely fine around the fey.

“I don’t want to be afraid anymore.”

“Yeah, I know. That’s what we’re trying to work on.”

I shook my head. “No, I mean of the fey. Ultimately, they’re going to be what bring me joy.” As I said it, I flushed, which Brooke noted with a growing grin.

“And, boy, can they. Okay. Good for you. We’re going to help you reach out and take what you want. Now, what exactly are you afraid of?”

“Their enormous size and strength and ability to rip someone’s head off without seeming to exert even a little effort.” I made a face and added, “And their eyes. They remind me of this barn cat my grandparents had. That thing was mean as hell and killed every single bird my grandma unintentionally baited in with her birdfeeder. That cat hissed if you even looked at it. It ripped me up when I was seven for trying to chase it away from the birds. I can still remember the way its pupils narrowed to slits.”

I shuddered, and Brooke gave me a sympathetic look.

“First, there are a few things you should know about these guys. They aren’t aggressive toward women. At all. Ever. Yeah, they might look longingly at you, but Mya’s been super strict about consent. Like, they wouldn’t touch any of your fun bits even if you landed on their face.”

She laughed at the disbelief in my expression.

“I swear. It’s true. They might steal your clothes and look until their eyes fall out, but they won’t touch unless they are verbally invited to do so. Or unless you’re in danger. They’ll touch you then, too, but only platonically and only to keep you safe. That’s why Azio brought you to your bed, by the way. He heard you through the door and got to you before you hit your head on anything.”

I wasn’t buying it, and she knew it based on her grin.

“I see that you still doubt me. That’s fine. But I’ll trade you three pot roasts in my freezer for three tests—your choice of what kind—to prove that I’m right.”

“My choice?”

“Yep. Do something you think will upset them. Outcome doesn’t matter. You get the roast just for testing them.”

I snorted. “If I do something I think will upset them, I promise you the outcome very much matters.”

“I’ll be here to protect you.”

“So we can both die?”

“Pfft. So little faith. Come on. What’s something that would have really upset Wayne?”

“Not pulling my weight. Taking more than my share of food. Telling him I didn’t want to have sex. Not having dinner done on time. Making him look bad in front of his friends.” I opened my mouth to keep going but she held up her hand.

“I think that gives us a few options. Come on.” She stood and headed for the door.

“Wait. My shirt.”

However, my protest came too late.

She swung the door open and stopped short at the sight of the three fey she’d revealed in the hallway. They all wore wary expressions as their gazes flicked from her to me then back again.

“When I said to get out, I meant go away. Lingering outside the door to listen to everything we say isn’t nice.”

Solin, her fey, tugged at his ear and gave her a sheepish look.

“I’m sorry, my Brooke. I did not know.”

“I know, baby.”

She looked at Azio and held out her hand. “Your shirt. Now.”

He immediately took it off and gave it to her. She looked back at me with a sly wink and tossed it my way.

“There you go. A better shirt to wear.”

She faced Azio and Groth again as I held the material to my chest.

“You two are going to play a game with Terri. It’s called Terri Says. The rules are simple. If you want her to stay here, living with you, you do everything she says. Want to play?”

They both glanced at me, their pupils narrowing, and nodded.

“Alrighty, then.” She pivoted to look at me. “You’re up.”

A flush crept into my cheeks as I glanced from her to the fey.

“Can you turn around?” I asked them.

They grunted and immediately gave me their backs. I hurriedly tugged Azio’s still warm shirt over my head, Brooke was grinning at me the whole time.

“Come on. Let’s have some fun.”

She led the way out of the room and down to the kitchen.

“Solin, how would you feel if I asked you to make me a plate of eggs and rub my feet while I ate?” she asked.

“I would feel your toes first. Then your ankle. Can I use my mouth?”

The complete turnaround in conversation made me stumble, and I almost fell down the stairs. Only Azio’s quick reflexes, and the banded arm he whipped around me, prevented it. I clutched at the anchor as my heart pounded.

Brooke glanced back at me, her gaze dipping to Azio’s forearm just below my breasts.

“Nice save, Azio,” she said, giving me a significant look.

It had been. And even though my heart was trying to beat its way out of my throat, it wasn’t because of fey-fear. Just normal falling to my death fear. I let out a shaky breath and uncurled my fingers from his large bicep.

“Thank you, Azio,” I said.

He grunted and slowly withdrew his hold, probably not trusting that I wouldn’t fall on my face. I couldn’t blame him.

In the last few days I’d been far from my steady, fairly graceful self. But really, who could blame me for the almost fall just now? Brooke’s comment about a foot rub while she ate breakfast would have probably had any human man rolling his eyes and saying, “yeah, right.” Not Solin, though. He hadn’t only not minded, but he’d been very into the suggestion.

When we reached the bottom of the stairs, I glanced back at Brooke’s fey. Sure enough. It was easy to see the bulge in the front of his pants. He’d really liked the idea of playing with her feet.

While the three fey went to the kitchen, Brook led me to the living room.

“Do they have foot fetishes?” I asked softly.

She laughed and shook her head.

“They have female fetishes. They want to know everything about us. Watch us. Touch us.”

She wasn’t helping my nerves and knew it. Shaking her head at me, she nudged me to take a seat.

“Relax. Try to have fun. No one is going to die.”

She’d seen the same violent endings I had, but didn’t have an ounce of fear for them. Why not?

The answer came with a plate of food. Solin handed it to her and immediately sat on the floor, tugging off her socks while she dug into her helping of eggs.

She moaned in appreciation when he started rubbing her feet.

“Did you know that they’re learning how to give massages? Whoever decided to teach them that was the smartest person ever,” Brooke said as Groth handed me a plate.

“Can I rub your feet?” he asked hopefully.

“Yes, you may,” Brooke said when I didn’t immediately answer.

Groth shook his head slowly.

“That is not Terri’s consent. She needs to say it.”

“Uh, I’d rather not,” I said, my pulse already starting to pick up pace with my worry.

His shoulders slumped a little, and he moved off to the side, taking a seat where he could stare at me.

I glanced at Azio, who stood off to the side, watching me just as intently. When he caught my gaze, he nodded at me.

“Eat, Terri. You are safe.”

I realized then he wasn’t only telling me I was safe from the infected and hellhounds in his presence. I was also safe from him. From both of them.

Ducking my head, I ate the breakfast he’d made for me and savored each bite. The eggs were delicious, made even better by the fact he’d cooked them just for me.

As soon as we were finished, Brooke arched a brow at me.

“You’re up.”

“Actually, I think I’m good for now.”

“You sure you don’t want a few roasts for your freezer?”

“You’ve proven your point. I’m less worried than I was before. Maybe.”

“You’re not really selling the confidence here.”

“I know. I just don’t think I’m ready to push at boundaries yet.”

“Fair enough. Want to do breakfast together again tomorrow?”

Solin started to chuckle.

“Brooke does not like to cook,” he confided, flashing his teeth at me. They were pointed. Like that damn barn cat.

Brooke dug an elbow into my side when his smile started to fade.

“Cut it out, Terri. Do you know how much talking and other things I had to do to convince him he has an amazing smile? They’ve changed so much already because of our petty fears. They wear clothes that are too small and uncomfortable just to look more human. They don’t smile. They lose sleep to keep us safe. They gave up their homes. They—”

“I’m sorry,” I said, holding up my hands. “Solin, you do have a lovely smile. My surprise doesn’t mean anything other than you’re the first one I’ve seen do it.”

Brooke made a harrumphing sound as she stood and wrapped her arms around his waist.

“Come on, baby. Let’s go home so I can make you smile some more.”

He picked her up and strode to the door.

“I really am sorry,” I said, quickly standing and hurrying after the pair.

He handed her her shoes, and she waved away my concern.

“It’s fine. You can make it up to me by cooking something good for breakfast. See you then!”

And then I was alone with my fey.