Slaughter Daughter by Eve Langlais
28
Other than laughter,I didn’t think a reply to that kind of statement existed. I howled until I almost cried.
Braedon seethed. A good look for the blond surfer boy. “It’s true.”
I controlled my giggles enough to say, “Are you on drugs?”
“I know it sounds crazy—”
“Very,” I interrupted. “Which is why you’re going to stop this car so I can get out.”
Only he didn’t slow down. “You have to believe me. Jag and the others, they’re demons.”
“And how do you know this? Because, I can assure you, Jag doesn’t have a tail.” To think I’d entertained an interest in Braedon. Good thing I’d discovered his crazy side before things went anywhere.
“I know because someone opened my eyes to the truth. Your friends, and possibly that professor, are demons.”
“They look pretty human,” I drawled.
“Because they enchant their true shape so that they can blend in.”
The laughter bubbled again. “Holy shit. You’re just doubling down on the insanity.”
“I can prove it.”
“Go ahead.”
“I have to contact her. She can show you the proof.”
“She?”
“Selena. I don’t know her last name,” he admitted. “She contacted me after seeing us together and told me I should get you away from the spawn before they hurt you.”
“Do you believe every crazy chick who tells you stories about supposed demons?” I arched a brow. Probably not a good idea to antagonize him, but the weird thing about this was how reasonable he sounded. As if this were fucking normal.
It wasn’t. More than ever, I regretted not telling anyone where I’d gone.
“Selena showed me the truth, Abby. Showed me how they hide among us, pretending they’re human. But they’re not. They’re killers.” Braedon spoke with conviction.
I shook my head. “You’re wrong.”
“You have to believe me, Abby. You’re in great danger.” The sincerity deserved an Academy Award.
My phone went off. I ignored it.
Braedon pulled over near a strip mall. It made me feel marginally better to have people around. “Give me a chance to show you. To prove what I’m saying.”
“If this Selena saw me with demons, then why tell you? Why not approach me?”
“She’s afraid she’ll tip them off if she comes near you. Do you even realize how much they keep you under observation?”
If they were students, running into them often on campus was normal. If they weren’t students, though...
My phone pinged again. Another text message followed by ringing. I kept it tucked in my lap as if it weren’t the most annoying thing in the world at the moment. “Can you drive me to a bus or train station?”
“You want to leave?”
“Can you blame me?” was my bitter reply.
“But the police… The investigation.”
“Right now, I’ve lucked out on alibis. What if I don’t have one to shield me from the next murder? Weren’t you the one telling me I should scram?”
“That was before.” Braedon reached for my hand, and I let him hold it. “You don’t have to run, Abby. I can protect you. I’ll find a way to expose the real monsters.”
“You’re going to prove demons exist?” I snorted.
“I will do whatever it takes to protect you.” He dragged me close and kissed me, not the soft embrace of before but a passionate thing that left me feeling hot and guilty.
Jag and I might not have truly talked about anything, but kissing another guy felt wrong.
As I pulled away, a motorcycle pulled up alongside us.
A second later, Jag yanked Braedon from the car.
