Chapter 4
Four
LILAH
“I’m happy you’ve officially decided to stay,” Holly says as we step outside.
“Me too, but there’s a lot to sort out before it can actually happen.”
Smiling at me, she gives me another affectionate side-hug. “Hit me with the list so I can help clear everything off of it.”
It’s been a long time since I’ve had a close friend. Bart didn’t outwardly pressure me to cut ties with people, but as the years went by and his attitude and demeanor toward me worsened, it was easier to let friends drift away. I’d forgotten how nice it feels to have someone in my corner.
I tuck the box of scones under one arm so I can tick things off with my fingers. “First on the list, get a job.”
“As good as done.” A don’t-bother-arguing-with-me expression on her face, her ponytail bounces as she nods. “Next on the list?”
Laughing freely and easily is another joy I’d forgotten. “Find a place to live. Permanently, I mean.”
She flaps a hand. “Another thing that shouldn’t be on the list. My cabin is yours for as long as you want.
Seriously. Or I can help you find another place if you’d prefer to live right in town.
Though, you’re more likely to cross paths with Amazra outside of the bakery if you stay where you are.
He has a small house not far from the spot you crossed the boundary. ”
Warmth licks at my cheeks, and I’m torn between denial and asking all the X-rated questions floating through my mind. “My interest was that obvious?”
“To me, yes, and probably to Dauphine. Elves are quite perceptive in general, plus, she’s the closest thing to a friend for Amazra.”
“People don’t like him?”
“Nobody dislikes him, but aside from Dauphine, people don’t really know him.
When he came to Fate’s Falls, he basically stayed on the outskirts.
Hell-born demons don’t need to eat or drink, so he doesn’t shop for that stuff like most of us mortal species do.
I saw him occasionally, out in the woods and fields near the fox shifters’ cabins, but he only started coming into town when he bought the bakery a couple of years ago.
Even now, he doesn’t mingle with anyone socially, not even casually. Just goes to and from the bakery.”
Bringing the box of scones around to my chest, I hug it tight. “That sounds so lonely.”
“To me too, but hell demons are different. They’re primarily solitary and reclusive; they’re not wired for bonding or emotional connection like most species.”
There’s no room in my stomach for the scones because it suddenly feels full of rocks. “I see.”
“Just because they’re not wired for love doesn’t mean they don’t, you know.
” She makes the universal finger gesture for sexual intercourse, laughing when I swat at her expressive hands.
The easygoing sound tapers off as she studies my profile.
“If I’m reading the look on your face correctly, I’m guessing you’re not a keep-it-casual kind of girl. ”
“Honestly, I don’t know.” Staying in step as we head toward our next destination, I turn my head to face her. “I didn’t date much before my ex-husband. A serious, committed relationship is the only kind I know.”
“Respectfully, what you experienced with him was not a serious, committed relationship. Based on the stuff you told me last night, that guy was a total narcissist.” Her mouth pulls into a grimace. “I’m sorry, hon, I’m being insensitive. I’m sure there were bright spots.”
“Some,” I say when she doesn’t continue, though I’m sure there’s more she’d like to add. The unspoken stuff is etched in her expression. “But you’re right, it was a really unhealthy situation.”
“And now you’re out of it, with a new, shiny, positive, happy life ahead of you.” Looping her arm through mine, she tugs me close and squeezes. “You’re smart, brave, compassionate, totally gorgeous, and free to do whatever the hell you want, including doing the hell-demon baker.”
Any response other than laughing at her wiggling eyebrows is impossible.
“So, that’s possible? As in, physically?” Heat floods my cheeks as I copy her finger-in-hole gesture. Briefly, since my hands are in front of the bakery box, in full view of anyone who might be looking in our direction.
“It sure is.”
“I’m asking for later. As in, down the road.
I think it’d be a mistake to attempt any kind of romantic or even strictly physical connection with Amazra right now.
I’m kind of ashamed to admit how much of a number my ex did a number on my self-esteem.
Logically, I know I have lots of great qualities, and there’s nothing wrong with my body shape or size, but it’s going to take time to get comfortable with myself again, you know? ”
“You have no reason to feel ashamed. I wish you could just decide to delete the negative feelings your ex caused, and poof, they’d disappear, but even the magic of Fate’s Falls can’t do that.
However, I do know the perfect person to help with your self-reacquaintance process.
After your new job is confirmed, we’ll pop across the street and I’ll introduce you to Lexi. ”
“Is she a therapist?” Because I could probably use some. Probably meaning definitely.
“Counseling is a solid idea.” Holly gives me a supportive smile. “And the person to talk to about that is Dr. Schaeffer. She’s wise and knowledgeable and very kind. A great doctor. Everyone in town loves her. We can go to her office later and I’ll introduce you.”
“I’d appreciate that, but not today. After I’m officially settled.”
“Added to a list for another day,” she says.
“Thanks. So, if Lexi isn’t a counselor, then how is she going to help me get comfortable with myself?”
Giggling hard enough that she starts hiccupping, Holly waves her hand in front of her face while taking some deep breaths. “Lexi owns Every Witch Way. It’s a sex-toy business.”
“That’s not the kind of self-help I need.
” Even as I say it, my cheeks grow hot. The truth is, I wouldn’t know if it’d help because I’ve never owned any toys.
Not even a basic vibrator. I was inexperienced and na?ve when I met Bart, and he never encouraged me to explore my body or my pleasure. My orgasms were never his priority.
“You’re so red,” she says, giggling. “Sex toys aren’t something to be embarrassed about.
And I promise you, Lexi’s products will put anything you’ve had to shame.
They’re all anatomically correct replicas created from molds of actual people—primarily the nonhuman variety—and they’re all bespelled with magic to make them satisfaction-guaranteed with every use. ”
My jaw feels as if it has unhinged and the bottom portion is dangling somewhere around my knees. “The same magic that protects the town is used to make sex toys?”
“Noooo. That’s the Oracle’s magic. Lexi uses witch magic.”
“Witches are…real? I mean, I guess that shouldn’t surprise me after meeting and seeing so many different species today.”
At the front entrance of the veterinary clinic, she pulls the wide door open. “There are several witches in Fate’s Falls. Their magics aren’t always the same, but they’re all powerful in their own way.”
“This town is going to take getting used to.”
“Says the human with the hots for a hell demon.” Holly’s laughter draws the attention of a client in the waiting area, a massive man with a single, oversized eye.
Before I can formulate a response other than staring at the cyclops, or general sputtering, a demon—not identical to Amazra, but similar—enters the space from an adjoining treatment room. Dressed in medical scrubs, he must be the veterinarian, my potential future boss, Dr. Daemon.
“I’d say I’m not surprised at the attraction, but since I haven’t had the pleasure of making your acquaintance, I assume I’m not the hell demon Holly is referencing. Yet.” Unlike Amazra, this demon speaks more like humans do. And smiles at me. And openly checks me out.
“Nope. Don’t even think about it.” Holly steps in front of me. “Lilah is here solely so you can hire her.”
“And what am I hiring her for?” There’s no disputing Holly’s demand, just amusement in his tone and flickering ember eyes.
“To replace Caitlin.”
As if summoned, a very pregnant young woman with “Caitlin” embroidered on her scrub top enters from what must be a restroom, given the sound of a toilet flushing when the door opens.
Holly told me the vet’s current assistant was about to go on maternity leave, but she didn’t tell me that could literally be any minute now.
“Did I hear correctly?” Caitlin asks after waddling over to stand beside the demon doctor. “Because I’m ready to get off my feet and pop out this cub.”
Cub. Interesting word choice, and one I’d bet wasn’t used in a generally cutesy way, even though Caitlan looks human. So does Holly—until she doesn’t.
“Caitlin is a wolf shifter,” Holly says, answering my silent musing.
Rubbing her big baby bump, Caitlin sighs while looking off into the distance.
“My mate is the pack alpha.” Her gaze returns to my face and she smiles.
“We’re going to fill our house with cubs, so you don’t have to worry about me wanting my job back.
Ever. And now I won’t have to feel guilty about leaving! ”
“See? You’re Caitlin’s hero, in addition to being mine.
” Holly gives me a big smile, then focuses her attention on her boss.
“And she’s about to be yours too, Daemon.
Lilah is a veterinary technician, and obviously a skilled one because she saved Max’s life while he was in fox form, dying in the woods beyond the boundary.
She thought he was a wild animal but didn’t hesitate to act quickly and compassionately.
She basically did surgery in the middle of nowhere, removing a bullet using the supplies from a medical kit she had in her backpack while hiking. ”
Dr. Daemon’s rugged brow line rises. “Is that accurate?”
“It is. I’m great at my job.” My skills as a vet tech are the one thing I’ve never lost confidence in.
Now that I’ve met him, I can see why Dauphine—and many others, based on the conversation in the bakery—find Dr. Daemon sexually appealing.
But I don’t, even though there’s a resemblance to Amazra.
The moment I met Amazra, everything tingled.
With Daemon, nada. Zero sparks. Proof that I’m not attracted to hell demons in general. Just one.
Silent and holding my gaze, he draws a deep breath.
From her place in front of me, Holly groans with an exaggerated exhale. “Must you, Daemon?”
“Scent never lies,” he says.
I pull my shoulders back and tip my chin up. “Neither do my lips.”
Holly’s head whips in my direction. “You tell him, hon. You’re going to fit right in here.” Smiling wide, she gives me a wink before facing the veterinarian again. “Don’t you agree, Daemon?”
His single deep nod gives me a different view of his curved black horns. The points look dangerously sharp. “Your skills and spirit are a welcome addition, Lilah.”
If this were a normal interview in any way, I’d have blown it with my snippy attitude. Then again, in my old life, I never would have spoken that way to a prospective employer. Or to anyone.
Day one of the new me and I like her so far.