The Teddy Bear’s Prize (A Date with a Demon #1)

Chapter 15

FIFTEEN

Tobias

“Ready?” Mia asks, letting go of my fingers.

There is no easy answer to that question. I’ve spent most of my life climbing the ranks to arch demon, collecting souls and punishing those who threaten to stand against me. It isn’t in my nature to be afraid, so why am I? It might be that fact that these are some of the most important people in Mia’s life, aside from her family, and I am still trying to justify that there is a place for me in the mortal realm and by her side.

“I think so,” I flex my hand and let it fall at my side.

It doesn’t feel like I’m crossing enemy lines.

Erika’s light blue house stands out from the rest of the street. There’s a string of tiny lights shaped like stars twinkling along the roof’s white trim, and a few paper bats taped to the window left over from Halloween. It wouldn’t be a proper witch’s house without the tiny crescent moons dangling from the door frame or a bundle of dried sage hanging from the eaves to protect against evil spirits .

I eye the herbs and place my hand on Mia’s shoulder, dragging my fingertips down her arm. She exhales, her breath visible in the cold, then knocks and takes a step closer to me.

The door swings open, the scent of cinnamon and roasted meats spilling out into the front yard. Erika stands there wearing a deep emerald button top tucked into black trousers, her light blonde hair piled on top of her head in a bun. She looks between us, smiling.

“Look at you! You look amazing,” She pulls Mia into a hug. “I’m suddenly very glad Paolo didn’t invite his friend,” she whispers, glancing over at me.

“And you look beautiful,” Mia says as she pulls away.

“Come in, come in. ” She steps aside, “It is nice to see you, Tobias.”

“And you,” I nod, offering the Tupperware container filled with the marshmallow dessert that we spent the afternoon making, “Where can I put this?”

Erika closes the door behind us, “That is perfect. I can put it away for you. Food is going to be ready in thirty and I just opened a couple of bottles of wine.”

Mia shrugs off her dark gray wool jacket, revealing the black dress underneath with her thick black tights, placing it in a room with a pile of other coats. I feel a little underdressed with my long-sleeved shirt. The cold isn’t a concern since my shadows keep me warm and I still haven’t been able to tap into the rest of my powers.

She reaches out, grabbing hold of my bicep to guide me further into the house. The party itself presses in one like a dream, there’s so much conversation happening at once that I can only catch bits and pieces.

Most of my apprehensions begin to fade as Mia makes introductions. I'm surrounded by her friends from high school and college, along with Erika’s partner’s close friends. There are at least a dozen people spread across the living and dining room.

Everyone is so glad to see her, she commands their attention effortlessly while I am struggling to keep my thoughts my own.

It’s simple enough to keep my focus on Mia, but with every new voice I catch a glimmer of their emotions or a memory strong enough to break through their subconscious until it feels like I am drowning in it.

The edges bleed together until I cannot pick one feeling from the rest. It wasn’t this bad when we were out in public, but I could keep myself at a comfortable distance from most of the crowds.

Anger, frustration, happiness, lust, and love. I latch on to the latter, hoping to pull its tether and find Mia on the other end, but as soon as I get close, it slips away.

This is all too much, and I cannot breathe.

“Are you okay?” Mia presses close to my side, running her hand up my arm, “We can go get some air.”

I look to see her brows knitted in concern. The expression spreads across the strangers like wildfire, their emotions reacting to my quiet agony, “No, I’m fine I?—”

Erika slips between the half-formed crowd, “Tobias, can I borrow you for a moment?” She looks over at Mia, “Paolo went to pick up more ice and I need someone strong enough to lift a twenty-pound turkey.”

Mia nods, “Go ahead.”

“Of course,” I mutter, allowing Erika to lead me through the crowd and into the kitchen.

As soon as I pass the threshold, the weight slips from my shoulders. The silence of Erika’s tempered emotions allows me to collect my own and order my thoughts .

“Where is this turkey?” I ask, looking across the countertops that nearly encompass half of the room.

“It’s still cooking,” she laughs, “I just know that look, I felt the same way when I came into my powers. The fates never stop whispering and I imagine it’s the same for you, being so in tune with emotions, but there are ways you can protect yourself.”

“I figured you were a seer.”

“You catch on quick. Here, this is how my mother taught me,” she grabs a clear glass from the counter and fills it with water, walking over and placing it in my hand. “Pay attention to the surface of the water, imagine you are there surrounded by the clear glass. A barrier that keeps your thoughts and emotions inside, but others out. Focus on the water and how it settles.”

I look down at the glass, taking deep, even breaths. In my mind’s eyes I construct the wall, brick by brick, watching the water ripple. I blink and the water stills, as do my emotions.

“Better?” Erika asks.

“Yes,” I set the glass down on the counter. “Why are you helping me?”

“It’s about time for us to bury old grudges, don’t you think?” She walks towards the door, looking over her shoulder. “At the very least, for Mia’s sake.”

“For Mia’s sake?” I tilt my head.

“Yeah,” Her brows crease, “You don’t know? Shit. Okay, I should really get back out there.” Her mask slips momentarily, and I sense her embarrassment.

Before I can form a sentence, Erika slips back out into the party, leaving me alone. What should I know? Why does it feel like I’m missing something right in front of me?

As I step out of the kitchen, Mia gives me a cautious smile and crosses the room to meet me, touching my arm, “Better?”

“Is the turkey a code for something?” I tilt my head.

“No, but Erika talked me out of a few panic attacks back in college. I figured yours might need magical intervention.”

“She is a good friend. You’re lucky to have her looking out for you.”

Mia nudges against me, “It seems like she’s looking out for you too.” She slides her hand around my waist to rub my back in slow circles.

When it’s time to eat, the group settles in the living room, scattered across the couch and the loveseat, while some people stand against the wall with their paper plates. Mia sits beside me, balancing a plate on her knees, while picking at the green beans with her fork.

“Excuse me.” Paolo says, clearing his throat and running his hand over his short dark brown hair, “I just want to make a toast to my partner and tonight’s wonderful host for pulling this together on such short notice.”

Erika smiles and folds in a mock bow, “Thank you.”

“The moment I saw her at Jimmy’s party last year, I knew she was the other half of my soul,” he watches her, “She radiated this,” he pauses, gesturing with his hand, “light that I couldn’t ignore. It’s likely the reason that you are all here tonight.”

Light. I remember the way Mia’s soul shone brighter than all the others. I have never seen its equal in all of my years. The answer has been there all along, a force more powerful than most magics. A bond that is not easily broken.

I listen to Paolo, but my attention wanders to Mia. She’s watching with a soft smile on her face that is so beautiful it threatens to break my heart .

She straightens and turns, her eyes finding mine. Her soft gaze is like a siren’s song, it always has been, calling me to her side. It resonates deep within my chest, in my—that is what Erika was trying to say. I just didn’t think that it would be possible, not after hundreds of years.

I know better than to meddle with fate.

Mia isn’t a witch, she is my soulmate.