Page 48 of Truth Revealed

This time when she stepped forward, he didn’t stop her, and opened his arms for her to step into. She curled herself around him and he returned the embrace—needed it.

“I care about you,” she murmured into his chest. The words made his heart pound, but he didn’t know if it was the words themselves or the way she said it—like a warning. “A lot. And you can’t walk around with this weight on your shoulders, okay? Because me and you?” She paused, tilting her head up to stare at him as if she could embed her words into his brain. “We’re in this together—we all are. You can tell me anything, and we’ll work it out. This misplaced guilt you have, it’s okay to feel that, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t need to. No one blames you for anything that’s happened.” Her gaze darkened. “There’s only one person to blame for all this, and she’s not in this house.”

“I’m sorry,” he repeated, just because he could. She arched a single brow and his lips quirked at the attitude in her expression. “Sorry I keep saying sorry.”

“That’s an apology I’ll accept,” she teased, and leaned up to kiss him.

He met her halfway, his hands digging into her sides because he didn’t want to let her go. “Please sleep with me tonight?” he asked, no shame in his voice. He didn’t care.

“You don’t have to ask,” she promised, and tugged him over to the bed. “You look tired, are you sure you’re okay?”

He nodded without saying anything, and promptly ignored the pain surging through him.

“I have to work tonight, but maybe we can get you to sleep before I have to go, yeah?”

As they lay down, Truth was finally able to push away the guilt that swamped him. Having Daria in his arms made everything better.

He just hoped that after everything was over, he still deserved to hold her.

DARIA

Making the third cosmo within as many minutes, Daria sighed. It was slow, but that didn’t mean she didn’t stay busy. Everyone just happened to need their drinks all at the same time. When the wave receded, Daria would be stuck twiddling her thumbs until they were ready for another round. She already had so much going on, she couldn’t help but wonder if there was more she could be doing.

But the guys were only watching the three demons they’d tracked back to their houses, and Hope was the one stuck watching her, again. Persy was busy with more tech stuff that went right over Daria’s head every time she tried to explain it, and Sofia was there for moral support. If Daria were home, she’d be doing nothing but looking over Persy’s shoulder and listening to her explain every click of the mouse, or still asleep with Truth.

But still… at least sitting at home with the others doing nothing seemed more productive than putting on a fake smile and mixing drinks for humans as if everything was okay.

“Why is it so slow tonight?” she asked Allegra, a hint of frustration in her voice.

Allegra glanced over and arched a brow, her arm circulating the rag over the bar until it was spotless… again.

Daria just did the same thing not fifteen minutes earlier.

“I’m not an expert, but that new adult arcade opened down the block, and I think it’s stealing all of our customers.” She grabbed the rag and leaned closer. “I mean, don’t tell Dave, but even I would rather go play arcade games and drink rather than sit… here,” she admitted, and motioned to the mostly empty bar.

The bar didn’t even have a dance floor, unless they moved tables and turned up the softly playing tunes. It was upscale, which might work in a big city full of businessmen. But Maleston was full of moms and dads desperate for a date night, and college kids with too much energy to sit down and enjoy a drink quietly.

Though their bar seemed very popular for girls’ nights out. At least they had that going for them.

Poor Hope. Surrounded by all the girls who were clearly having more fun than he was. He sat at one of the tables by the door to avoid the crowd when it came time for refills.

Taking advantage of the slow moment, of which there were many, she made her way to his table.

He was frowning down at his phone, the bright screen casting white light across his face. Maybe there was an update from the guys? Her pace quickened across the floor, and she tapped on his table as she approached.

“Hey, what’s wrong?” she asked, worry piercing through her.

In lieu of answering, he turned the phone toward her and her eyes darted toward the text from Death.

All three demons on the move. Something’s happening. Stay alert.

“What does that mean? Should we leave? I can tell Allegra there’s an emergency—”

“Daria, it’s okay. The guys will keep an eye on them. Go back to the bar and I’ll come get you if anything happens.”

She frowned at his tone, a pinch of worry peeking through amongst the tight hold her demon seemed to have on his emotions.

“Okay… if you need anything—” His phone buzzed, drawing both of their attention.