Why You Should Never Rescue Stray Demons Chapter 10

**OZ**

When I wake, I feel… Good. Better than I have in days, actually. Then again, the standards aren’t particularly high. There’s an ache in my neck from the way I am curled awkwardly on Kacia’s too small couch which is definitely not designed for six foot plus demons. But otherwise, I feel more or less like myself again. Finally. My body’s natural regenerative abilities have kicked back in, smoothing out the worst of the wear and tear of the past few days. The soft sound of music trickles in from behind the laundry door. Kacia’s humming along, quietly, off key in a way that’s oddly charming. Although I must’ve been dead to the world not to hear it earlier. I stay still for a moment, soaking in the calm. It’s warm. Peaceful. Domestic even. And then… Knock knock. I jolt upright, throwing the blanket off of me, adrenaline flickering to life in my veins before I can remind myself this isn’t a fight. Just someone at the door of an apartment that isn’t even mine. I rub a hand over my face and stretch, arms over my head, tail curling behind me. Without the blanket it’s a little cool, but considering I’m only in shorts, that’s not exactly surprising. I remember Kacia’s blush last night, the way she turned pink and refused to meet my eyes when she caught me half naked. The memory makes me grin to myself. Maybe I WAS laying it on a little thick, but honestly, it was worth it just to watch her squirm. Another knock and this time, there’s a voice.

“Kaci? Are you up? I know you were planning a late night, but we had lunch plans.” A man’s voice calls out, the tone is familiar and teasing. I frown instantly. Oh. I hadn’t considered that she might be seeing someone. She said she didn’t have a fae lover, but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have any kind of partner. And judging by the easy tone in this guy’s voice, they’re more than just casual acquaintances. Jealousy flares, quick and irrational. I don’t even know him. But I already don’t like him. Hell, I barely know her. But that doesn’t seem to matter. Someone wants this girl dead, and I’m not about to let that happen. Everyone is a threat, right? I cross to the door, glancing through the peephole to get a look at this mystery man. Tall. Dark hair. Confident stance… Great... I go and crack open the laundry door and call out.

“Kacia, there is someone at your door.” I tell her. A moment later, Kacia pokes her head out, holding a bundle of folded clothes tugging earphones loose. Her lavender eyes catch the morning light and she beams at me, completely unaware that I’ve just decided I hate someone she likes.

“Tall?” She asks. 

“Dark hair? Hot enough to put the gents in the sexy fireman calendar to shame? Abs that deserve to be immortalised in marble?” She adds. I stare at her, completely stunned. She says it all so casually. Like this is just a known fact. Eventually I manage a slow nod, still trying to process the audacity of that description.

“I didn’t actually see his abs.” I mutter. She laughs. 

“That’s Mikey. Let him in, would you? I’m just grabbing your things, I’ll bring them out in a sec.” She says before she ducks back into the laundry like it’s nothing. Like it’s normal to leave your half naked demon guest to greet your sculpted, calendar worthy maybe-boyfriend at the door. I stare at the closed door for a long moment. She wants me to answer? Me? I look down at myself. Bare chest, bare feet… Tail. Yeah, I’m not exactly blending in today. Does she not realise what this looks like? This isn’t exactly the best first impression. Isn’t she worried about what he’ll think? I glance at my tail again. It flicks idly, as if also uncertain whether to be offended, flattered, or amused.  She was certainly getting flustered last night. Where did that go? Now she’s either completely unbothered by the idea of being caught with a half naked demon in her apartment... Or she’s so comfortable in her relationship with Mikey that it doesn’t even register. Which, somehow, bothers me more.

I hear another knock, louder this time, followed by a yell that practically rattles the doorframe.

“KACI! GET YOUR ASS OUT OF BED ALREADY, IT’S COLD OUT HERE!” The male voice ‘Mikey’ calls out again, a little less patiently this time. I roll my eyes. So we’ve entered the yelling phase. Excellent, some boyfriend this guy is. I’m a demon and I still know better than to cause a scene like that and yell at a woman. Fine, whatever. She said to let him in, so I will. But I refuse to be held responsible for any awkward misunderstandings. If she wants to explain why she left a mostly shirtless demon to greet her very attractive maybe-boyfriend at the door, that’s on her. I swing the door open just as he raises his hand to knock again. He freezes, blinking at me like I’ve just materialised out of thin air. No anger, just surprise. Bafflement, even.

“Kacia asked me to let you in.” I say, prim and polished, like I’m not standing half dressed in her living room with my tail flicking lazily behind me. He lifts an eyebrow but says nothing, clearly choosing peace over an outright interrogation. Instead, he extends a hand.

“Mike Kalico.” He says simply. I take his hand, my grip firm. Maybe a little more firm than is strictly necessary. 

“Ozraed Faerwald.” I introduce myself. Mike opens his mouth to say something else, but the laundry door bangs open before he can. Kacia appears and immediately shoves a bundle of warm, folded clothes into my arms with impressive efficiency. I don’t even get the chance to thank her before she launches herself at Mike.

“Mikey! You owe me big time! Drainers are so annoying, plas I saved this demon guy and now he says he owes me and he won’t go away! I don’t know what to doooo!” She whines, voice rising an octave like a distressed cartoon character. I blink. What just happened to the sharp, guarded bounty hunter I met last night? This version of her is clinging to Mike like a koala and whining like a teenager. It’s deeply disorienting. Not to mention unsettling. Is this what she’s like when she’s not on guard? Mike just laughs and pats her back like this is normal.

“Okay, okay, I apologise. Lunch is on me, alright?” He says, grinning. Kacia steps back and straightens up, instantly perking up like she’s been bribed with gold.

“Yes! Free food. Awesome!” She responds enthusiastically. Mike gives her a knowing smile. 

“Go get dressed, and we’ll head out. You can tell me the full story over lunch.” He tells her affectionately. He glances at me, half smirking.

“Your... Friend had better come too, I suppose.” He adds reluctantly. I raise an eyebrow. She just told him that I’m a demon who won’t leave her alone and he’s inviting me to lunch? 

“If she didn’t want you here, believe me, you wouldn’t be here.” He adds. Now that I believe. I incline my head. 

“I’d hate to miss a free meal.” I respond. I start to turn toward Kacia, to check if she’s okay with it, or maybe to flaunt the fact that she secretly doesn’t mind me being here, but she’s already halfway down the hall and disappearing into her room. Only now do I realise she’d been standing there in a tank top and tiny pyjama shorts the entire time. I mentally curse myself for being too distracted by Mike’s arrival to notice sooner. A deeply unfortunate oversight on my part. A missed opportunity, if I’ve ever seen one. Meanwhile, Mike strolls off toward the kitchen like he owns the place, casual and familiar, and I’m left standing in the middle of the room with an armful of laundry and far too many thoughts. I tug on my jeans and pull my shirt over my head. There are a few rips in the fabric, but now that it’s clean, I can almost pass it off as deliberate. Almost. It’ll do for now.