Demon from the Dark

all-important heir went to.'

He frowned at some of her words, then seemed to take in her meaning. 'An heir to what, Carrow?' he snapped. 'I left any wealth I had behind, for you!' Clearly reining in his temper, he said, 'I am speaking of how my child would be treated.'

'What?' Third slap of the night. 'You think I would mistreat my own baby?'

'Just as you said, some things you cannot risk. I must be there to protect my offspring.'

'From whom?'

'From anyone or anything,' he said. 'Ruby has no parents and is dependent on fate—dependent now on my goodwill.'

'Your goodwill?' She wanted away from him. Unfortunately, in this case at least, she wasn't stupid. There'd be no flouncing away, not when she had Ruby with her. Malkom was right—they'd have to stay with the big gun for as long as he'd let them.

No matter that he'd just made her feel dirty and lacking. I want my powers back!

'You know 'tis true. And I would not have my own so vulnerable.'

'You forget—Ruby has me.'

'Do you think I could ever forget that, witch?'

Carrow had heard of loves that could trump all obstacles. But then she'd also heard that there were things couples couldn't come back from.

She was beginning to fear that she and Malkom might not get past this.

He stabbed his legs into his pants once again. 'You are angry with me and have no right to be.'

'And you're treating me like some evil bitch who'll abscond with your kid. I'm not like that. I'm actually not that bad a person.' She knew he'd had a tormented life, knew he'd experienced hardships she couldn't even imagine. Carrow could understand his mistrust. But I don't know what to do about it. 'Will you ever see past what I was forced to do? Or will you always think I'm a liar?'

'What would you do then, if my seed took?'

'I wouldn't keep your child from you.' As if she even could. It struck her that Malkom was in their lives now. For better or worse, he was on this plane and would never willingly be parted from her.

Maybe he was right to keep an emotional distance. Their relationship was likely doomed.

So why had she felt that unwavering certainty about him? Husband, her heart seemed to cry even now.

'You said you'd wanted me to claim you in Oblivion,' he grated. 'You could have gotten pregnant then. Did you give no thought to that?'

'I did.'

'And?'

'And I thought that my life was already changing radically because of Ruby. And that little girl fills me with contentment like I've never known. So why wouldn't another child do the same?'

'So 'tis all about your happiness. You would have raised my child while I was imprisoned in that place?'

'I know you don't believe me, but I vowed to my goddess Hekate that I would come back for you. I swore that I wouldn't stop until you were freed. I don't know what to do to convince you of that.'

He looked like he wanted to believe her so badly. Then his expression grew closed-off once more.

'I asked you a question before, and I want the answer,' she said. 'Yes or no. Will you ever see past what I was forced to do? Because I'm beginning to suspect you will always hate me, will always think I'm deceiving you.'

'And what would you do if that were the case? Nothing will change by my answering either way.'

Still he'd evaded the question. She pinched her forehead. 'Then what do we do now?'

'We did things your way; now we will do them mine,' he said, his tone as cold as frost. 'I am going to protect you. I will even protect your adopted one. Expect nothing more.'

Her lips parted. When he was done with her, Carrow's heart would be as broken as his was. Maybe worse. She asked softly, 'Will that be enough for you?'

'It must be for me, as well as for you. I usually kill those who betray me. Count yourself lucky.'

Chapter 41

I 've been taking my knocks, Carrow mused, staring at the peeling ceiling above her bed. While Ruby snored from the other bed, she thought back over the last three days on the island.

Malkom had been so kind to the girl, but he'd been icy to Carrow, barely speaking to her, barely looking at her. He refused to sleep inside, preferring to camp out between the neck of the sandy peninsula and the cabin. She liked to think he did this solely to protect them, instead of to distance himself from Carrow.

With Ruby, he was all patience and kindness. And the girl was fascinated with her 'stepdemon.' Apparently, she'd explained the term to him—and he hadn't denied the title.

Ruby had fun with him, following him everywhere, and he didn't seem to mind. Several times a day, Carrow saw the big demon on his way to some task with a tiny witch huffing after his long-legged strides. He'd taught the girl how to tie special knots, and together they brought back fish and berries.

Carrow could tell he even enjoyed it when Ruby sang 'Particle Man.' But it made sense. He'd been alone so long, the sound of a child singing must be pleasing, no matter the tune.

Last night, Ruby had asked for Malkom to hold her hand at bedtime. Carrow had stood at the doorway, watching as he'd patiently waited for Ruby to fall asleep. He'd gruffly told her, 'Dream well, deela.' Demonish for doll.

With each second he'd remained at that bedside, Carrow had become even more convinced that Malkom was the one....

Sometimes Ruby would report in on things they'd done.

'I'm teaching him to read,' she'd said yesterday, her tone filled with importance. 'Because I read waaaaay better than him.'

'You didn't tell him that, did you?'

'Only twice.'

Ruby continually pressured Carrow to leave, reminding her several times a day, 'You promised me you'd take me home.'

'I know, baby, but it's complicated.'

'I miss my friends. I miss Elianna.'

Elianna, Carrow's mentor and substitute mother, was a half immortal who aged but never died. The old witch always wore an apron with pockets full of mysterious spellcasting powders, and every time Carrow hugged her, those scents wafted up. To this day, Carrow associated the smells with warm hugs and unconditional love. 'I miss Elianna, too. And Mariketa. But we'll see them soon.'

In turn, Carrow was pressuring Malkom to help them escape this place, but he kept blowing her off. She thought he feared that she'd leave him once they'd returned home. When in truth, if he treated her half as well as he had in the mine, then she'd be stuck to him like epoxy.

She didn't see that forthcoming. After they'd made love the first time, Carrow had awakened with her body well pleasured, even as her heart had still hurt. She'd been so stung that she hadn't sought him out for any more of his attentions.

But last night as she'd lain awake during a storm, he'd appeared in the doorway, limned by the flashing lightning. 'Come.'

She'd missed him like an ache, finding it impossible to deny him. Filled with excitement, she'd followed him out. As the rain fell, he'd taken her against a tree, then from behind, then with her writhing in his lap. She'd lost count after that, but each time he'd taken pains never to come inside her—or to bite her.

This morning, Carrow had been cross-eyed with exhaustion and pleasantly surprised when he'd come to the