With a doubtful huff, she swirled into nothing, and I got up to dump and rinse the ice bucket. As eager as I was to rush after Asa, an open link to the other side was asking for trouble. The second Meg left, so did the water that had held her.
Done with tidying, I stepped outside to find Asa. I didn’t have to go far before I heard voices. His, and a woman’s. Their low conversation made me think it wasn’t a casual meeting. Before I decided if I should interrupt, Asa must have caught my scent or heard me. He turned around, spotted me, and grimaced.
A slight woman with rose-gold hair pressed a hand to his chest and leaned around the corner to see what snagged his attention. Her lips glittered, glossy and full. Her nose was a pert little button. I pegged her age mid to late twenties, but that could have been a glamour.
Dull pain radiated through my chest when he wrapped his arms around her and hauled her back into their nook with an urgent warning.
Hewas hiding her.
From me.
The dull roar in my ears usually reserved itself for those who had trespassed against him, but I was deaf to Asa as he put himself between her and me.
Hewas protecting her.
From me.
An itch in the back of my throat had me swallowing hard to erase the phantom taste of her blood as I imagined biting into her heart like a ripe apple. Warm with copper juices and meat that would sustain my power. The pinch of hunger contracted my stomach, twisting it, cramping it, and that black magic voice from my past whispered I should devour her for the crime of touching my mate, clinging to him, clutching him. But he read my intent, and he approached me with his hands held in front of him.
Hewas ready to take me down.
For her.
An inhuman snarl revved up my throat, and my fingertips sharpened to daggers. I waited until he put a few feet between him and her, and I pulled on my bond with Colby for the strength to ram my shoulder into his with bruising force. I spun him aside, and he hit the wall. With the path clear, I sprinted for the woman.
“Wait.” He found his balance. “Don’t.”
Fire erupted behind me as I lunged with my claws out, but my roar was crushed along with my ribs.
“Bad Rue.” The daemon had grabbed me around the middle, deflating my lungs as he dangled me from my waist several feet above the sidewalk. “No hurt Callula.”
“I won’t hurt her.” I kicked and clawed at him. “I’ll kill her.”
“Rue cute.” The daemon squeezed me in a hug. “Don’t be jelly.”
“I’m not cute,” I snarled. “I’m about to commit murder.”
“I’m not sure Asa would appreciate that.” The woman strode forward. “I’m Callula Alfre Montenegro.”
“This Asa’s mom,” the daemon explained. “Lady Callula.”
“Oh.” I lost the furor pounding in my head and deflated in his hold. “Well, this is awkward.”
“Rue be good?” The daemon cast me side-eye. “If I put down?”
“I’ll behave,” I tried to make it a promise. “I apologize for the whole attempted murder thing.”
“Rue love me.” The daemon thrust his hair at me. “Pet.”
Happy that forgiveness was earned on one front, I returned my focus to Lady Callula, whose gaze stuck to the daemon as I ran my fingers through his hair.
“You’re such a brat.” I yanked the silky strands. “Why is Asa’s mom here?”
“Asa’s mother?” Callula squared her shoulders. “I’m his mother as well.”
A frown knit the daemon’s brow, and he folded his arms across his chest, saying nothing in return.
Had she ever come right out and claimed him? Or had he read more into her tone than I had?