Veiled (Ada Palomino 1)

“So that’s why Perry and Dex have always been targets,” I muse softly.

He clears his throat. “Well, yes. But it didn’t help that your sister and brother-in-law purposely sought out situations that put them at direct risk. We’re doing the opposite with you, until you know how to handle yourself. That will take time.”

“How much time?”

The corner of his mouth quirks up and he slowly gets off the bed. “I don’t know. A few years.”

My mouth drops open. “A few years. Of this? Just trying to sleep through the night and not get killed in the day?”

“It will get better,” he says as he stands at the foot of the bed, arms crossed. “What happened to you today was rare. Most of the demons you will see aren’t as strong and won’t have the nerve.”

“And my dreams?” In some ways, the dreams scared me most of all.

“Keep ignoring them. Eventually they’ll give up.”

“Sounds so easy,” I mutter.

“You’re doing good, princess,” he says as he moves to the door and this really irks me. Like he’s treating me like a little kid, even though minutes ago he was whispering in my ear about how I make him feel.

“Wait,” I say, despite myself. “Is my dad downstairs?”

“He saw me bring you home.”

This is a surprise to me. “You didn’t just, what’s the word, sift me into my bedroom unseen?”

He shrugs. “If I did that, your father would hear us talking up here anyway. Doesn’t make much sense. No, I sifted you into the Knightlys’ living room, then I took you over here. You told your father you weren’t feeling well and I said I was bringing you to your room.”

“And he just let you do that?”

He almost looks proud of himself. “Invited me over for dinner too,” he says. “But I had to turn him down. You’re eighteen, Ada. Pretty sure you’re allowed to have a man around you. Back in the day, you would have been my bride at sixteen.”

“Back in the day?” I repeat. “You’re a rookie. You’re brand new.”

“Back in anyone’s day,” he says quickly as he pulls the door toward him.

“Jay,” I call out after him, wishing my voice didn’t sound so needy.

He pauses and eyes me curiously.

“Um,” I say, scratching absently at my arm, the horrors of earlier all too close. “This might sound weird. And it’s definitely not something my dad would be okay with, no matter how ‘back in the day’ you make your argument. But . . . do you mind spending the night with me? In here. I don’t want to sleep alone. I’m too afraid of what might happen. In my dream or otherwise.”

His brow softens. “Of course.”

But then he’s out the door.

***

Dinner is kind of awkward with my dad.

First of all, he’s made a meal I just can’t eat. Rare steak. The sight of the blood running out with each slice makes me want to gag, brings back images of Jay fighting with the demon.

So there’s that.

Then there’s the fact that my dad isn’t talking much. This isn’t new, but you’d think he’d at least be more interested in my day other than “you feeling any better?” You’d think that he’d want to discuss Jay in some way.

So I sit there and push the steak around and am about to make up some excuse to leave the table when he says, “Jay seems like a nice . . . man.”

I raise my brow at him while I take a sip of water. “He is nice.”

“How old is he?”

Ah, I knew he’d be worried about that.

“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “Maybe twenty-five.” I’m shooting for the lower end even though he’s ageless. “But it’s cool, dad. I’m not with him like that. He’s just a friend.”

He nods thoughtfully. “I’m not worried. I can tell by looking at him that he’s not interested in you that way. He’s also older than twenty-five.”

Ouch. Well gee thanks, dad. I’m going to pretend that wasn’t a blow to my ego. I’ll also pretend I don’t feel a twang of disappointment.

“But,” he goes on, shoving the last of his steak in his mouth and taking his time chewing, “he’s still older and you’re just eighteen. I just want you to be smart. I don’t want to be overprotective, pumpkin, but you’re all I’ve got.”

Oh geez. Please don’t let me dad get any more emotional because today I can’t handle it.

“I’ll be fine,” I tell him. “It’s nice to have a friend . . . someone close by.”

He stares absently out the window, the sky darkening in the distance. A couple of kids from down the street walk past, flashlights and Frisbees in their hands, probably heading to the Blue Lake disc golf course. They’re laughing and teasing each other and enjoying the balmy summer night now that the storm has passed, the freedom before school begins.