Demon Dawn
Page 24
“And nothing will ever replace this one,” I said. “It’s the most beautiful bow I’ve ever owned. I can’t wait to use it.”
Under the table, I lifted my foot to trail a toe along Thallirin’s thigh. His fork paused halfway to his mouth as his gaze locked with me.
I turned to Tasha.
“How was today?” I asked.
“Good. Zach says I’m a natural with the bow.” She looked at Uan. “Can I have my own, too?”
“Of course. I will start on one tonight.”
I didn’t know where he’d get the wood from, but I knew that small detail wouldn’t stand in the way of doing something that would make Tasha, his newest daughter, happy.
“Any word on how Hannah is doing?” I asked.
“She is sick,” Thallirin said very seriously. “But Merdon is caring for her. He knows how to help her.”
“Is she sick because they took her?” Tasha asked, worried.
“No, sweetie. She was sick before that,” I said. “But Thallirin is right. With one of the fey looking out for her, she’ll recover. Merdon will see to it.”
I gave her a reassuring smile before meeting Thallirin’s gaze. The fey had a funny way of getting to women. It wasn’t aggressive but it was persistent and endlessly patient. It sounded a little stalkerish when I thought of it like that, and I smiled slightly, thinking of all the times I’d thought of Thallirin as my stalker. He didn’t feel like a stalker, now. I slid my foot a little higher up his thigh. In fact, he felt very much under my control.
He slowly set down his fork.
“Brenna is done eating and would like to leave now,” he said, standing.
My grin widened as Mom snorted.
“Right. It’s so obvious she wants nothing to do with that big, juicy steak on her plate. The steak that would give her hours and hours of energy.”
Thallirin paused in the process of moving away from his place at the table, looking from the steak to me, before sitting down.
“Eat quickly,” he said. He began eating his steak with a gusto that made the ache between my legs throb a little bit more in anticipation.
“Make sure to take a soak in a warm bath before bed,” Mom said under her breath. “It helps.”
Zach made gagging noises and started tugging on his ears.
“I think I just went deaf,” he said loudly. “Can you hear me? I can’t hear you.”
I rolled my eyes at him and started eating.
I loved my family. We were uniquely diverse but better for it. I could see in Mom’s eyes that she was missing Dad at the moment. But I knew, without a doubt, he would have approved of the choices we’d made since his passing. After all, he’d given his life so we could live.
I was determined to do just that with Thallirin at my side.
Author’s Note
All the feels went into this story. Brenna survived so much that she was tough to write. Like a year, tough to write. Plus, (if you’re in my fan group, you already know this) I thought I lost almost three chapters worth of words! Panic doesn’t even begin to describe those terror filled minutes. Thankfully, I found what was missing and dedicated this book to what prevented a complete tragedy.
Speaking of tragedies…I cannot wait to dive into Hannah’s book. That girl is a mess! You’ve been watching her shitstorm develop through other characters’ eyes. The drinking. The propositioning fey to get what she needs. It’s all going to end, and I’m pretty sure you can guess who’s going to end it. I seriously cannot wait!
After Hannah, there’s another story brewing. Yes, yes. I know you want Molev. But I’m pretty sure his story is going to be the end of the series because no one (my imaginary people) is talking to me after that. It makes me sad. I think ending the series would make you all sad too. So, I’m holding off for at least two more books (Hannah then Tor and a new girl). I’ll have a clearer picture of the world in general after Hannah’s book, though. Sometimes the characters who are talking are so loud drown out the rest. Also, there’s a lot going on with the infected.
How fun was it to bring back some of the characters you didn’t think you’d see again? Van and Oscar got what they had coming. Tasha, who you might remember as the little girl hiding in the attack from Eden’s book, hasn’t had the happiest journey, but have any of them? She’s at least in a good home now with new parents who will love and protect her with their dying breaths.
They aren’t the only past character’s we’ve heard from either. If you’ve been waiting for Byllo’s story, it’s already available! You might have missed it if you’re not subscribed to my newsletter. You can still grab it here, though: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/iaeqiqj17t
And, finally, if you’d like a sneak peak of Hannah’s book, keep reading!
Sneak Peek of Demon Disgrace
(Book 8)
Panic suffocated me, burning my lungs and straining my pulse.
They were behind us. The soft moans of the dozen infected were almost drowned out by our gasping breaths and the rustle of leaves under our feet, but even if we couldn’t hear them, there was no doubting they were there. The stench of their rot carried on the wind that blew my hair into my face.
In front of us, the trees stretched endless, providing no protection.
My lungs burned with effort, and my side ached. I couldn’t think. I didn’t know what to do.
“Hannah,” Katie panted. “I can’t.”
I tightened my hand on hers, pulling her along. Her weight dragged on my arm. She wasn’t keeping up like she should.
“Keep going.”
The moans were getting closer.
I glanced over my shoulder, catching so much detail in that brief look. Katie’s wide, desperate eyes locked on me. The horde of infected barely fifty feet behind us and gaining.
I sat up, gasping and shaking. The memory coated my mind, an unwanted stain on my thoughts. Scrambling out of bed, I lay on my belly and searched frantically for another hidden bottle. There was no second miracle to be found, though. I curled in around myself, holding myself together while I desperately waited for the images to fade. They didn’t, though. I saw it all play out again, and with a choked moan, pulled at my hair.
It wouldn’t leave me. It wouldn’t stop. Ever. This was my hell.
Sobbing softly, I heaved myself to my knees then stumbled to the window. The sash lifted soundlessly, and I slipped through the opening. The brisk air sent a shocked me enough to interrupt my tormented thoughts.
I looked over the quiet homes blanketed in white and focused on the lights illumining the dark above the wall. The lights kept the hellhounds out. Powered by batteries that were charged using the solar panels retrofitted on the homes, the lights wouldn’t last forever. Then what? I didn’t want to know. I didn’t want to be here to find out.
Ignoring the bite of the snow on my bare feet, I climbed higher on the roof. Numbness wrapped around me. From the cold or my resolution, I couldn’t be sure. I walked along the peak, waiting for some sense of calm to settle in my soul. It never came. I reached the edge and looked down at the dark yard below.
Hopefully, I was high enough. Even if I wasn’t, I deserved whatever pain I had to endure until death claimed me.
I thought of my sister, closed my eyes, and stepped off.
* * *
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Series Reading Order
Resurrection Chronicles
Demon Ember
Demon Flames
Demon Ash
Demon Escape
Demon Deception
Demon Night
*More to come!
Also by M.J. Haag
Beastly Tales
Depravity
Deceit
Devastation
* * *
Tales of Cinder
Disowned (Prequel)
Defiant
Damnation
* * *
Connect with the author
Website: MJHaag.melissahaag.com/
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