Page 51 of Infernal Secrets

Ezra shook his head, looking up from the book. “What would she say? Report demons in her home? You heard what she told Zeke. If she’s seen other infernals from Niemna since she was a child, she knows how the humans would react to a report like that.”

“She did say something about being locked up,” Zeke said, drawing Cyn’s attention.

When Cyn revealed what he’d overheard from Zeke’s conversation with Raelynn, I wasn’t sure what to think.

Not only had she seen other infernals, but she’d grown up interacting with them. Knowing her mother and grandmother saw them too added another layer of mystery to the situation. Why, after multiple generations, did things progress to summoning the council’s heirs?

I believed our presence in her home was no accident. The question remained: did someone want us here, or were there other forces at work?

Cyn clicked his tongue. “She could have reported strange men in her home. She didn’t have to say shit about demons.”

“I also found it strange she only threatened to call the authorities but never followed through after you revealed your other form,” Ezra said, taking a drink. “I suspect shock played a role. I didn’t give it much thought beyond that, but if she’ll allow us to stay until we can sort a means to return home, we can negotiate with the human.”

“I’m not about to follow her orders.”

I straightened, crossing my arms, protective instinct flaring again. “Now isn’t the time to pick a fight. We need her.”

Cyn rolled his eyes and spun on the stool, leaning back against the counter on his elbows. “Yeah, yeah. Fine. Play nice with the human.”

I had a feeling “playing nice” wasn’t as civil as it sounded.

Cyntrix Brakeal didn’t play nice when he knew he didn’t have to.

The only time he submitted to orders was in the presence of Ezra’s father. He did it to protect Zeke from Cornaith’s wrath—he’d never let Cornaith leash him any other way.

With Cyn’s bitterness toward Raelynn, and his strange attraction to her blood, I needed to keep an eye on him. His odd behavior made me question whether something similar was affecting me, triggering my need to bond with her.

I never wanted to fight my brothers, but I couldn’t ignore the powerful compulsion to protect her. My chest ached even considering it. I didn’t fight my brothers. Ever.

She seemed like a good person. She didn’t deserve Cyn or Ezra’s ire.

The front door opened, and Zeke hopped off his stool to take bags from Raelynn’s arms as she struggled inside.

“Thanks.” She tossed her purse and keys onto the table.

She followed him into the kitchen, set the bags on the counter, and took the empty spot beside me. My heart rate sped up. I’d felt the same rush when I saw her at the mall after her absence all morning.

She slid a bag toward me, unpacking another.

“How was work?” I asked, placing the Styrofoam containers she passed to me on the counter.

“Slow. I don’t see why Shane insisted on calling me in.”

“Who’s Shane?”

She looked up at Zeke. “My boss. He’s only giving me a hard time because he didn’t get his way. I’m turning my phone off on my next day off.”

I moved the empty bags to the side of the counter. “What’d he want?”

“Doesn’t matter. Anyway, one of my coworkers gave me a ride to pick up dinner.” She opened the smaller containers, revealing fries, macaroni and cheese, and two deep-fried items I didn’t recognize. “I wasn’t sure exactly what to get, but Zeke said you like fish.” She glanced across the counter at Cyn.

He shrugged but made no attempt to thank her for considering him. At least he wasn’t arguing with her or drinking her blood. Better than what I expected from him when he said he’d play nice.

“Well, I got a few things and a family meal, so you guys have options. There’s fried tilapia, flounder, and popcorn shrimp in the bigger containers.”

I held up a small, breaded ball with green spots. “What is this?”

“Fried okra,” Ezra said, tucking a piece of paper into the book, closing it. “I tried them a few years ago when Father sent me to the region.”