Page 22 of Truth Revealed

“What?” Allegra all but yelled. “You haven’t even slept with all of them and they’re still around?”

Ignoring the glares from some of the other patrons, Daria answered, “Yeah…” Well, I mean, an evil immortal was after them but… technically they could leave if they wanted.

Oh my God, she thought, frustrated at herself. Am I really whining because they haven’t pledged their loyalty not to leave?

“Girl! You have the garden of Eden in your living room, why are you not partaking in that not-so-forbidden fruit? Get a taste of those bananas!” she cried, clearly outraged.

Daria gulped down the last of her mimosa and reached over to pour another glass from the carafe.

“It’s not… that simple,” Daria complained, swallowing her complaint with champagne, triple sec, and orange juice.

“Are you kidding me?” Allegra grabbed her fork and speared a link of sausage, then with a pointed glare, shoved the sausage into the hole of a bagel. Daria stared on in horror, a laugh creeping up her throat. “I never thought I’d teach sex ed, but I’m willing to step up to the plate if you are. Home base is waiting.”

Daria couldn’t stop the laughter from bubbling up as Allegra lay the bagel down and bit the tip of the sausage off. “Did you just—” More giggles bubbled out, and Allegra joined in with a wide smile after she swallowed.

Once the laughter had subsided, Daria pressed her palms to her aching cheeks. “I really needed that,” she admitted, a grin still curling her lips.

“I know you did, but that’s beside the point.” Allegra leveled her with a stare akin to someone a whole lot wiser than Daria felt. “Just follow your heart. Don’t do anything you don’t want to, and for God’s sake, stop questioning yourself so much.”

Allegra’s words were like a slap to the face, and Daria blinked at the woman across from her. She was right. Daria was so focused on what the consequences of her actions would be, it was stopping her from even taking any kind of action. Worried what every step, every touch, every look meant to them, that she was letting the fear of her feelings override her feelings themselves.

Now where the hell do I start to resolve them?

DARIA

That evening, Daria realized she was going to get a shot at resolving her feelings… at least with one of the demons.

“You’re all leaving?” she asked, disappointed at the thought of spending the evening in the house by herself. It was an off night and she didn’t have to be at the bar until the next night… but she didn’t want to spend it alone.

“Well, not Truth, at least,” Hope offered with a blindingly beautiful smile. It took her breath away and she momentarily lost her train of thought.

“Earth to Daria,” Misery teased, waving a hand in front of her face. Daria blinked and grinned at her dark demon. “We’ll be back later, don’t worry. If we need anything, we’ll call. The same goes for you.”

“Okay,” she replied diplomatically, then a thought occurred to her. “Wait, what about the others?”

“Hell if I know. Maybe they’re having their own date night,” Misery answered.

Hold up—date night?

“And none of you are going to stick around to spy, right?” Daria crossed her arms as she asked, still embarrassed that Hope had overheard some of her conversation at brunch.

“I said I was sorry,” Hope grumbled, but a smile twitched his lips.

“I know, I know. You were just doing it to keep me safe, blah, blah, blah.” Daria waved a hand in front of her to clear the air. “Now, what’s this about date n—”

Before she could finish her question, Misery leaned in and kissed her, and Daria automatically turned her face up to his to receive it, all thoughts leaving her mind. His lips were soft against hers, just a brush that left her wanting more. It wasn’t until he pulled away that color rushed to her cheeks. He’d just kissed her in front of all the others. But strangely… it didn’t feel wrong. Instead, she just felt like giving the others goodbye kisses too.

Maybe another day, she decided. When they’d all talked and made things… well, as official they could be in a, what had Allegra called it? A polyandrous relationship?

They were out the door with a chorus of goodbyes, and it wasn’t until the lock snicked that she realized she had no idea where they were going.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs behind her, and she turned only to come face to face with Truth. “Oh, they left already?” he inquired, a hint of surprise on his features.

“Yeah, they just left a few seconds ago.”

A soft, slow smile curled Truth’s lips, his bright blue eyes lighting up with something akin to excitement. “Perfect,” he said simply, and drifted closer. “I have plans for us.”

“Plans?”