Page 65 of Sinful Curses
On Orin’s shoulder, Pip finished her small meal and licked her fingers. He didn’t mind the female rat riding around on him, even though she’d healed enough to walk; he kind of liked her company but would deny it until the day he died.
Elsa sat between the demon and Sahira and clasped her hands before her as she swayed a little. Her face was far paler than normal, and she squeezed her hands until they turned red.
While eyeing Elsa, he flexed the fingers that had completely healed since being burnt. Resting his elbow on the bar, he leaned against it as the witch continued to rock.
She wasn’t handling this as well as she was before. He’d have no problem leaving her behind, but the demon and Sahira would put up a fight.
However, if the witch couldn’t keep her shit together, she could take them down, and he wouldn’t allow that. He glanced at Sahira as she carefully laid out what remained of her food and water.
She cared for Elsa, but he wasn’t about to let the witch jeopardize Sahira’s life. He wouldn’t let anyone hurt her; if the witch melted down now, she risked doing that.
Elsa was still rocking when Orin stepped away from the bar, gathered his pack, and went to sit beside her. He settled on the ground and dropped his bag before him.
As he sorted through the remains of his food supply, he leaned closer to Elsa and told her, “If you fall apart, I’ll kill you before I let you slow us down or put her in danger.”
CHAPTERFIFTY-SIX
Elsa’s eyesshot to him as he looked pointedly toward Sahira, who stiffened at his words. On his shoulder, Pip stirred uneasily but didn’t speak or climb down.
The demon’s eyebrows rose as he looked from him to Sahira and back again. “You don’t have a chance of that happening,” Zeth stated.
Orin remained focused on Elsa, but he felt Sahira’s shock. When he looked at her again, her eyes were circles on him.
Then her attention shifted to Pip, and her mouth closed as her lips compressed into a thin line. When her attention went to Elsa, a furrow appeared between her brows.
She was trying to understand him but failing to do so, when it was simple. He’d do anything to get them out of this realm, including killing the witch, even if it meant Sahira hated him afterward.
At least she’d be alive to hate him.
“I’m not going to fall apart!” Elsa snapped.
Orin grinned at her as he bit into a dried piece of meat. “Probably not now.”
Elsa gave him the finger. “You couldn’t kill me, dark fae.”
Orin didn’t doubt that he could, but she could have her delusions; everyone else here knew the truth. Sahira glowered at him before shifting her attention back to their dwindling food supply.
They would last the longest without food since they had an alternate food supply… each other. But without regular food, they’d weaken and eventually collapse too. With his massive size, the demon required the most food, and his pile was the smallest.
Sahira pushed some of her dried meat toward him, but the demon waved it away. “Keep your food.”
Orin’s eyes narrowed on the food between them. If the demon hadn’t packed enough, that was his problem. She shouldn’t be sacrificing anything for any of them.
“You need it more than me,” Sahira protested. “And we’re all going to get out of this together.”
Orin suspected that last part was more for him, but he ignored it. He didn’t care what Sahira thought; if she wouldn’t do what was best for her because of her too-big heart, then he would.
How could someone with so much pride, smarts, and strength be so blind to things that might have to happen? He admired her determination and ability to care for others, but he wouldn’t let them bring her down.
“She’s right,” Elsa said and glared at Orin. “We’re all leaving heretogether.”
He wiggled his fingers at her as he took another bite of meat.
“Fucking dark fae,” the witch muttered; Orin chuckled.
“Keep your food… for now,” the demon told Sahira. “If I run out before we find another food source, we’ll talk then.”
“Your blood will help keep me going; take some of my food,” Sahira insisted.
