She turned her head to look at Selma over her shoulder, a small smile playing on her lips. “I am needed elsewhere tonight, my child. Please do make sure your demon doesn’t wreak any more havoc on my sanctuary’s wards—he has already done damage that will take weeks to repair, and terrified your sisters residing here.”

Selma frowned, the weight of the goddess’ words making her fold her arms protectively over her midriff. Just the thought of leaving a child behind, even a demon child she couldn’t even face the reality of just yet, sent cold shivers down her back.

“Choose wisely, daughter.”

A flourish of golden light and shining fabric made Selma squint to protect her eyes, and when she looked back up, the goddess was gone. So was the golden shield that had separated her from Kain.

“Selma.” He wrapped his arms around her before she fully realized she was alone with him again, and she gasped at the strength that crushed her against his hard chest. “I swear, I’m going to kill that fucking bitch! Are you all right? What happened? Ew, you reek of her!”

Selma laughed at his disgusted expression as he pulled his nose away from where he’d buried it in her hair. “I thought she smelled pretty nice. Like flowers and sunshine.”

The dark-eyed demon sent her a look which suggested that he was considering dunking her in the nearest river to lose the scent. “What happened to you? And what did that deceitful hag tell you? Whatever it was, you need to know that none of them are to be trusted. They are as dangerous and tricky as demons—they just go about it differently.”

She was pretty sure he was unable to be objective about the trustworthiness of gods, but ironically, if she did take the goddess’ words for truth, then he had a point.

“Tell me what happened to you.” Concern was still evident in his voice, but his words bore the unmistakable air of a command. This demon had had enough of waiting.

“Er…” She’d hoped to have a little more time to digest everything before deciding on how and what to tell him, but when she looked up into his eyes, she knew he wasn’t going to accept anything but the immediate and full truth.

“Don’t freak out, all right?”

Both his eyebrows arched. “You do realize that is anything but a calming statement, right?”

“Sorry, it’s just, ah… So you know how that barrier keeps demons out?”

“Yes?”

Selma bit the inside of her cheek. They hardly knew each other. Despite the incredible intensity of their time together, they had only been around one another for a handful of days. Yet when his arms were around her, it felt like they’d known each other for a lifetime.