Page 33 of My Demon Neighbor
Thirteen
Codie
It'd been ten dayssince Pythor and I went to the park. We'd gone on a walk around the neighborhood twice since, and spent some time with each other every day. We'd continued with our lessons too, and I was starting to feel a little confident in my chances of escaping an attacker. I still didn't think I'd win in an outright fight, but Icouldescape holds and try tomake a run for it.
Pythor hadn't brought up the fated mates thing even once, and I had a feeling he was waiting for me. I still didn't know what to say or think about it, so I'd happily stuffed it into the corner of my mind.
"Uncle Codie!" Alia said, breaking me out of my thoughts, and I glanced down at her.
"What's up, princess?"
She grinned up at me, her sparkling blue eyes—just like her mom's—full of enthusiasm. "Can I make a painting?"
"Of course! Let me grab you a canvas and some paint. Wanna do it here or in the studio?"
"Studio! I want to be all professional!"
Chuckling, I led her to my studio, unfolding the smaller easel I kept in a corner for her. Then I grabbed an adequately sized canvas before setting everything up in the middle of the room.
"There we go. And for the final touch..." I walked over to the door, and unhooked her apron from behind it, helping her put it on. "Now you're ready to make a masterpiece."
She grinned, then got started as I sat down on the floor to watch. I didn't really have anything in this room to sit on except for the stools I used while painting, and the floor was much more comfortable.
Nessa had dropped Alia off so she could shop for groceries in peace—and so Alia wouldn't sucker her into buying too many snacks—and she would be back anytime now.
I'd texted her about some of the things I'd done with Pythor, but we hadn't talked face to face since the week before last since her parents had been visiting last week and she couldn't come over. Pythor had gotten my groceries for me with his magic, and it still made me smile every time I ate some cereal.
Hella came into the studio, done with her nap, and made a beeline for me before trying her best to climb into my lap.
"She's so silly," Alia said with a laugh, and I chuckled, noting the speck of bright pink paint on her nose.
"That she is. Can I see what you're making?"
"Not yet!"
The doorbell rang, and Hella shot to her feet, racing off to make sure it wasn't anyone unwanted.
"Looks like your mom is here. You okay on your own for a bit?"
"Yep! I'll be good."
Smiling, I left her to her painting and made my way to the door, opening it once I'd checked the security feed.
"Hey," I greeted, holding the door open so she could walk in with her many shopping bags.
"Hi, yourself," she said, then glanced at Hella as she stood watching, tail wagging slowly as she came to the conclusion that Nessa was an acceptable visitor. "He really got you a dog."
"Yeah," I murmured, wishing I could tell her it was so much more than that. But the whole demon and mates thing was a secret, and I couldn't tell her, no matter how much I wanted to.
"Come on. Help me unpack and tell me all about it."
I locked up after her, then followed her into the kitchen, falling into our usual routine as I told her everything I could about the time Pythor and I spent together. I even told her about the night Pythor came over to comfort me and then guarded me all night while I slept, though I had to edit out the 'my new dog teleported to get him' part.
Nessa was quiet for a long moment when I finished speaking, and I let her work through her thoughts as I focused on the task of putting away all the perishables.
"Codie," she murmured, and I turned to look at her, a carton of eggs in my hand.
"Yeah?"
