Chapter 12 #2
She pushed off the log, stalked towards us, and crouched down with the look of someone filing a complaint to the divine.
“Unbelievable,” she muttered. “She’s going to die of suffocation before the demons even get to her.”
Without warning, she dumped her cup of cold water right onto Malakai’s hair.
He jolted with a growl.
Ashley shrieked. “Assault!”
Eve stood, utterly devoid of remorse.
“If you two are done marking your territory, the rest of us would like to continue living.”
I finally wriggled free as both of them turned indignantly on Eve, sputtering in unison.
She just arched a brow at them.
“That’s fine, be mad at me, but let the woman breathe.”
Malakai glared after Eve as she retreated, still dripping.
“You could’ve just asked,” he muttered, shaking the water out of his hair.
Eve didn’t even turn around. “Didn’t think you’d respond well to ‘release her’, or do all demons secretly learn dog tricks?”
Ashley snorted so hard she wheezed. “Oh, that’s good, that’s so good.”
Malakai threw Ashley a look that could’ve melted steel.
“Hey, don’t glare at me,” she said, still giggling. “I’m not the one who got baptized.”
He huffed irritably in reply. “Remind me why I shouldn’t kill the sniper-girl?”
“That is an excellent question,” Ashley nodded as if full of wisdom. “If we ever run out of food, please eat her first. Then, Ethalyn would definitely choose to snuggle with me instead.”
They both released me, glaring daggers at each other while rising to their feet.
From the edge of the campfire circle, Nate and Caleb were, unsuccessfully, pretending not to watch.
Nate elbowed Caleb. “Ten coins says the demon wins cuddle privileges by noon.”
Caleb didn’t even look up from sharpening his blade. “You’d lose that bet. The friend’s got claws sharp enough to gut a fish.”
Nate grinned. “Yeah, but the demon’s got arms like—” he flexed dramatically. “—and the word ‘mine’ written all over them.”
Caleb smirked. “Are you volunteering yourself against them next round?”
“Not unless I can bring a shield… But I wouldn’t mind relieving Ethalyn of some of the snuggle duties.”
Ashley groaned. “You two are worse than Eve!”
“Maybe,” Nate said cheerfully. “But at least we don’t drool on command.”
“I—” Ashley’s face went crimson. “I don’t!”
“Sure you don’t,” Jaden called from the other side of the fire, voice dripping smug amusement. “The whole camp saw you last time you napped.”
Nate’s grin faltered for a moment as Jaden winked, and Ashley stuck her tongue out at him, earning a laugh.
Malakai muttered something I didn’t catch, then tugged me closer with a gentler touch this time, placing his lips against my forehead.
And that’s when I caught Lionel watching.
He wasn’t smiling, not quite. More of a soft, searching look that made my stomach twist in guilt.
Despite knowing where I stood, and what I had chosen, he still forced himself to check up on me, quietly.
While I admired his loyalty, I felt like a total ass for being the main reason for his hurting…
And selfish for still wanting to be his friend after everything we had been through.
I swallowed and looked away first.
Eve returned, cup refilled, eyes flicking between all of us before landing on Lionel and then me. A knowing sigh escaped her.
“We’re like a traveling circus,” she muttered. “Except with way more emotional damage.”
Ashley perked up immediately. “Dibs on being the leader.”
Malakai snorted.
Nate leaned back against a log, smirking. “Ten more silver says this group doesn’t make it a week without someone getting punched.”
Caleb’s blade glinted as he smirked. “Depends who starts it.”
Eve blew out a breath. “Alright, circus or not, we move soon. The forest’s not going to wait for us to finish our drama.”
Caleb stood, sliding his blade back into its sheath. “We should talk route before we pack up.”
Malakai’s expression sobered instantly, the easy humor shattering. “We could always tie a rope between us, if we’re worried about getting separated in the forest.”
Lionel shook his head. “Too restricted, we’ll be easy targets and if they’re tracking—”
“They are tracking,” Malakai interrupted, tone flat.
The silence that followed pressed heavy against the lingering warmth of laughter.
Lionel’s gaze slid towards me, unreadable but firm. “Last time, we weren’t sure if they were targeting you or him.” He nodded towards Malakai. “If we’re walking into their territory blind again, we need to figure out which.”
Ashley grimaced. “You’re suggesting bait.”
“I’m suggesting information,” Lionel corrected. “If we split up, not far, just enough to maintain line of sight, we’ll know who they’re following. Then we can stop running circles around the same question.”
Malakai’s eyes darkened. “You’d risk her for that?”
Lionel met his stare evenly. “I’d risk me.”
For a heartbeat, no one spoke. Even the forest felt like it was holding its breath.
Ashley was the one to break it, bless her chaotic heart, as she clapped her hands once. “Well, if we’re doing the whole split-the-party thing, I vote girls versus boys.”
“Of course you do,” Eve muttered bitterly.
Ashley ignored her, looping her arm around my shoulders and giving a dramatic tug that nearly pulled me off balance, and out of Malakai’s reach. “Come on, bestie, girl power and all that. We’ll make it a field trip.”
Malakai’s jaw flexed. “You’re not turning this into a game.”
Ashley winked. “Everything’s a game if you win.”
Nate snorted. “And what exactly do the girls win? Fewer demons or bragging rights?”
“Both,” Ashley said instantly. “Plus snacks.”
Eve pinched the bridge of her nose. “This is why the Gods hate us.”
Caleb looked between them, frowning. “It’s not the worst plan. If we’re being followed, we’ll see soon enough which direction the demons take.”
Lionel nodded, though his shoulders stayed tense. “Exactly. Never farther apart so that we can’t see the other group. Eyes on each other. First sign of movement, we regroup.”
Malakai’s voice came low and edged. “And if they go after her?”
Lionel’s answer was steady, but it cost him. “Then we know what we’re dealing with. And we’ll make them regret it.”
Ashley’s grip on me tightened, not teasing now, but protective. “Guess that means we pack fast.”
Nate stretched, breaking the moment with a forced grin. “Right. Great plan. Split the party in demon infested woods. What could possibly go wrong?”
Jaden rose to his feet and grinned. “Do you want me to hold your hand so you don’t get lost in the woods, pretty boy?”
Nate shot him a look. “If I get eaten, I’m haunting you first.”
Ashley lifted her hand. “Dibs on your second haunting.”
Eve sighed skyward. “This is my life now…”