Page 25 of A Cursed Heart
“Thanks.”
Ryan swung the door open to reveal a similar looking dark-haired woman on the other side. Her hands were on her hips, her lips a grim line.
“We’re cooked,” Ryan muttered for only me to hear.
“Hello,” I said with my most charming smile, stepping closer and letting out a tendril of magic. “You must be Lydia.”
What I assumed was Freya’s bedroom door closed with a soft click, closing Lydia inside with the little girl I had yet to meet. Ryan glanced at me, then tugged on my arm, pulling me into his bedroom.
“What the fuck was that?” he hissed, all signs of tiredness gone with his anger now in place.
“I merely used some suggestion on your sister. Nothing harmful!” I insisted when he shot me a disgusted look.
“Seriously?” His disbelief was hurtful, though I did not let it show.
“Yes. You said you were tired, and I was concerned Lydia wanted to know everything, which would keep you awake farlonger. Using a tiny amount of magic on her, so little it will wear off by morning, felt like the right thing to do.”
Had I pushed him too far already? Would he hate me? It felt utterly ridiculous to be so concerned with this young human’s opinion of me, but here I was, justifying my behavior regardless. Gods, I wanted Ryan to like me.
Ryan’s rage seeped out of him. He had such a good soul, so pure despite his actions with his ex-wife. He was a protector at heart. I should have felt hurt that he believed I would harm his sister, except I understood why he had leapt to that conclusion. I was a demon after all.
“It’ll wear off?”
“By morning. My magic is low, meaning the effects of anything like suggestion wear off faster.” I was holding onto the remains of it for emergencies and to hold my glamor.
“Low? Are you sick?”
“No, I am well, thank you. I just need to replenish.”
“Like eat? You’ve not had food in a while, I guess.”
“Not only food, though I am not hungry in that sense. It is more… energy.” It had been too long since I had properly fed. I had almost forgotten it.
“Okay… how do you recover your energy?”
“Usually sex helps.”
Ryan made a choking sound. “Sex?”
“It is where the demon myths come from after all. We share energy while being intimate.”
“You aren’t sleeping with my sister! You can’t use her to recharge.” So protective. Such an attractive trait.
“Oh, she is the wrong Mallory sibling for that, Ryan,” I purred, leaning close. “While I am happy to bed females, I much prefer males for sexual pleasure.”
His mouth snapped shut, his cheeks flushed. It was a delightful look on him.
“Even a kiss could help in a squeeze.” He had to offer it or it would not work.
Ryan’s lips thinned. He seemed to shake himself out of whatever thoughts he had. “I’m going to wash up. There are spare clothes in the closet over there that might fit you.” Ryan closed the bathroom door firmly behind him. I heard the snick of a lock.
“Shame, but you’ll come around,” I murmured. The way he looked at me told me so. I just had to be patient. Not necessarily my forte, however, after all these years alone, I’d grown as a person. Maybe. I could handle waiting for him to come to me. Didn’t mean I wouldn’t flirt.
A moment later, the sound of water escaped the bathroom. Ryan was naked on the other side of the door and such a temptation. To push him so soon would be terrible for our future relationship. I could charm him, even without my magic, I was sure of it. I just had to give him time.
Inside the closet were so many items of clothing, it was difficult for me to choose what to wear. In my human form, our builds were similar. We were around the same height, too. Eventually, I found something that appealed to me.
By the time Ryan emerged from the bathroom, I was dressed in a pair of soft shorts and a worn t-shirt. Ryan scrubbed a towel over his damp hair.
