“So, you’re going to just let them go?”
“Maybe I can control them. Bring them with us on hunts and send them after other demons, not humans. They are pretty helpful.”
“Absolutely not. They are demons. Soul-sucking, flesh-eating demons. If you don’t want to kill them tonight, I understand. I don’t know what goes on in your head when they talk to you, but you have to remember that they are demons too. If you weren’t around, what would stop them from killing me?”
“Nothing,” I blurt, knowing it’s true. If I’m not directly in front of the reapers, they’re dangerous. “I agree. But I can’t kill them tonight.”
“Fine. Not tonight. Send them away into the woods and have them go after deer until we can figure this out.”
I nod, knowing I’ll do just that, but I’ll have them go far, far away. These seven reapers look to me for guidance. I know they’re demons, but I can’t kill them. I step away from Ethan and mentally convey the message to the reapers. “They’ll leave once they’re done,” I tell him.
“Let’s go inside.” Placing his hand on the small of my back, he ushers me through the door.
“No way,” Rene gushes. “No freaking way! Anora, that was amazing!”
“Thanks,” I say, unable to keep from smiling. The adrenaline is wearing off and I’m feeling more and more like a ninety-year-old woman who fell down a flight of stairs. I take one more look out the back window and then go into the library, collapsing onto the couch.
“Now that,” Nik starts. “Is something your aunt would be proud of.”
“Thank you.” I let out a huge sigh of relief. “It’s over. Xozon won’t control me or anyone else ever again.” I put my feet on the coffee table. “I really am sorry I tried to kill you like an hour ago.”
“Hey,” Rene starts. “I said you’d be forgiven if you kill Xozon, and you did.” Her lips curve into a small smile. “I’m glad I randomly ran into you on that ghost hunt.”
“Me too,” I tell her.
“Keith is going to be so jealous he missed this.” She chuckles. “Though getting him to believe me will be another story.”
“Right?” I yawn, feeling exhaustion crash down on me. Normal exhaustion, I should add. Losing a lot of blood is taking its toll.
“You should rest,” Ethan says, hand landing on my thigh. “And if your arm doesn’t scab up soon, I’m taking you to the hospital for stitches.”
“The healing balm will help with that,” Nik tells us. “It does wonders.”
“Thanks,” I say and lean back. Ethan covers me with a blanket and puts his arms around me. I don’t realize I fall asleep until Ethan is scooping me up. The house is dark now and feels just as peaceful as it did before Xozon was freed from the box. “Hey,” I say sleepily.
“I didn’t mean to wake you.” He picks me up. “I wanted to carry you upstairs.”
“What time is it?”
“A little after nine.”
“Wow. I passed out.”
“You needed it,” Ethan says, and I hook my arms around his neck. He takes me upstairs, and I strip out of my clothes, brush my teeth, and then crawl into bed.
“Where are Rene and Nik?”
“They went out for drinks.”
“Hah, I’m sure it was much needed.”
Ethan gets into bed next to me. “Yeah. It definitely was.” Ethan holds me tight and Hunter joins us, squishing me between them. My arm hurts and I’m realizing my whole body is sore from the events of today. But I feel safe and loved.
Two things demons will never feel.
CHAPTER 33
I slept for nearly twelve straight hours last night and am currently sitting in the library, sipping coffee. Thanks to Nik’s healing balm, I didn’t need to go to the hospital for stitches, but I won’t be cleaning stalls or doing anything strenuous for the next day or two just to be safe. My body is dotted with bruises and I’m sore all over. I definitely need to up my workouts, though getting knocked to the ground hurts no matter how good of shape you’re in.
Trading my romance novel for the demon dictionary, I carefully stretch when I get up. Looking through the library, I see Ethan and Nik playing video games in the living room. Nik stayed here again last night and is staying again tonight. He’s not officially living with us, but more so has been staying to help with the demon issue. Now it’s over and he’s still here…which is something Ethan and I need to talk about.
I found a bag of men’s clothes in the attic for him to wear, and he did mention he needed to leave soon so he can get his own belongings. But I think he likes being here just as much as I like having him here.
I set the large book on the coffee table and flip to the page with Xozon’s entry. I get a Sharpie from the desk behind the couch and draw a big X through his photo. He’s gone and will never cause harm to anyone else again. His name wasn’t on the list Aunt Estelle had written on the letter, and now I’m wondering how many other demons are going to be freed that we won’t know about.