Page 36 of Demon’s Reign

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Cassie pulled away, her eyes roving over my face. “What’s wrong?”

I ducked away. “Nothing.” Everything.

Her eyes narrowed, and she glanced behind me. “Is Ryker supposed to be here?” she whispered, her voice still plenty loud enough for him to hear.

“The empress sent him, so it’s not his fault he was forced to come.” I sighed and motioned Ryker to finish entering. He did so, shutting the door behind him.

Cassie shot him a warning look. “You’resureyou’re okay?” I nodded rather than speak the lie aloud, and after a moment more of inspecting me, she flopped down on the teal couch.

Alex strode over. “Leah. It’s good to see you up and out of bed. I’m glad you’re feeling better.”

“Yeah, it’s good to be back on my feet,” I murmured, shooting a sidelong glance at Ryker. He watched our exchange, and cocked his head, confusion filling his eyes.

Did he not know?

Alex stepped around to my side and squared off with Ryker, who remained a few paces away. “I don’t know you, nor do I know what’s true and what’s not in all the gossip concerning you, but if you ever try to hurt my sister, I’ll kill you.”

Ryker grimaced, and I couldn’t stop the chuckle bubbling up from my throat. Both men looked at me like I’d grown a second head.

“I’m sorry,” I wheezed, still trying to get my mirth under control.

“You think my declaration of loyalty is funny?” Alex faked a scowl, bumping me with his elbow.

I smirked, shaking my head. “Of course not, I just find it amusing that’s how you chose to introduce yourself.”

Alex’s half-smile returned, and he shrugged, but it disappeared when he shifted back toward Ryker. “She may find it funny, but I hope you don’t. It would destroy Cassie to lose her sister, and I won’t let that happen.”

Ryker bowed his head, and I wondered at how he could keep such a calm facade. Did he really not see Alex as even the slightest threat? Or was he not concerned in the least because he’d given up trying to kill me? A fact I really hoped was true—and only now was I beginning to admit that maybe it wasn’t just because I didn’t want to die.

“Alex.” Cassie straightened on the couch. “How am I supposed to finish my portrait if my model’s gone?” Alex shot Ryker one last pointed look before returning to my sister’s side.

Exhaling, I turned my attention back to Ryker, nodding toward the door to the gardens. “Mind if we go outside? I need some fresh air.”

Ryker signed something with his hands, and then nodded.

“Have fun!” Cassie called after us, before we exited into the crisp afternoon air.

I headed for the well-used path along the outskirts of the garden wall, and we fell into an easy stroll. A light breeze filled with the scent of fall brushed my skin, and I wanted nothing more than to lie down in the grass and soak it all in.

Keeping pace beside me, Ryker signed again, and I watched the fluent motion of his hands as he created words I couldn’t understand.

“Why do you do that?” I asked. “When you know I can’t understand you.”

He reached for his belt and withdrew his usual charcoal and paper. After writing the note, he held it out, and my fingers brushed against his as I took it. Heat rose to my face, but I ducked my head, hiding behind a curtain of hair as I took my sweet time reading.

It’s the way I talk. I know you can’t understand, but I’m so used to talking this way that I just ramble I guess.

I smirked at the thought of him ‘rambling’ when he couldn’t physically say a word. “I guess that makes sense. It’s better to get things off your chest, then keep it trapped inside.”

He continued to watch me, the overhead sun glinting off his obsidian hair and giving his skin a warm glow. But searching his face, I could decipher nothing past the neutral mask he wore. What did he see when he looked at me?

Too afraid to ask, I opted for a much safer question. “How do you say hello?”

He made a simple gesture with his hands, and focusing on them, I tried to repeat it.

My attempt wasn’t nearly as coordinated or smooth, yet a slight smile transformed his face into someone I didn’t know; but I wanted to.

“You should smile more often,” I blurted, speaking before I could think.


Tags: J.R. White Paranormal