Page 3 of Claiming Demons

I knew the name of my birth mother and that she’d given me all her powers. I’d hoped to track down my birth parents, find out more from them, but I wouldn’t be able to do that now. So, I was left with just a name, which was precious little more than I’d known before.

And since I knew so little still, I didn’t want to mention anything to the guys, or Reia and Eva. I’d find out what I could, then let everyone know. Still, I got out my little notebook and jotted down this new information.

Eva, Trent, and Trent’s sister Lisa — carrying her little one — were up next. Trent scarfed down some toast then, on his way out, Eva captured him in the front hall and they smooched like young lovers. After he’d left, Lisa began nursing her baby and an awkward silence settled over the group of us. That suited me just fine. I had a lot to think about.

Donny was up next, and he grabbed an apple to go, his new job consulting for Grey’s financial sector keeping him busy. A little while after that, Reia returned, huffing, sweating, and smiling, and Kerberos bounded to me, tongue lolling out, ready to bowl me over.

“Down!” Reia commanded, and the huge dog stopped instantly.

Pride swelled in my chest. That was my little girl commanding a hellhound. I should have been surprised, but with Reia, very little surprised me these days.

“Good doggy,” I said, patting Kerberos’ huge head.

Kerberos spun and bounded back to Reia and together they headed to her room.

By the time she’d showered and returned for breakfast, the guys were up.

We all ate in a sort of reverent silence, and I didn’t know why the rest of them were so quiet, but I appreciated it.

Reia left for school. Eva headed out to look into military academies. Fen and Ramsey both kissed me as if this were both the first and last times we might ever touch lips, and then they headed to their jobs — Ramsey taking Lisa with him to start her divorce proceedings.

That left Grey.

“What do you need?” he asked me, his expression soft as if he could tell there was something on my mind.

“Some time, peace and quiet?”

He nodded. “Let me know if you need me for anything.”

“A hug,” I said, going to him and wrapping my arms around him. “I’ll always need a hug.”

He held me silently, strong arms enfolding me in his warmth. Freshly showered, he smelled like sandalwood and cedar with a hint of eucalyptus. I drank in his scent and stayed there in his arms for a long time.

He didn’t complain or ask why or when I’d be done, he just held me as long as I needed it. And with everything that had happened, I needed a while.

When I finally drew back, he whispered, “Last night was… incredible, and you are… exceptional. I love you, Anais Baker.”

Then he kissed me lightly and smiled. The swirling void in his dark-sable eyes almost seemed to vanish, but not quite, which reminded me that I’d promised to help him control it so he could turn it off when he didn’t want it.

“I love you too, Grey,” I said, the words coming remarkably easy.

I didn’t know if it was because I’d tapped into my aspect of love, or whether the news from last night had perhaps changed me a little, but I’d accepted that I could love… and be loved.

And that was a far greater boon than knowing who my mother might have been.

I pulled him close for another quick hug, then let him go, feeling livelier and lighthearted.

I made a trip to my house later that morning. I wanted to pick up a few more things, and Donny had said the renovation contractor would be there, so I could make sure they were doing what we wanted with the place.

When I arrived, dozens of men were getting set up. And, with me in a body-hugging, cream, long-sleeved top, a knee-length, grey-and-white tartan skirt, and black, knee-high stockings, I was turning all their heads.

I found the foreman in Reia’s room measuring for where my new bathroom would be. Part of the remodel was giving me — and my guys, when they were here — more room. My bedroom and closets would be expanded and I’d have a large bathroom where Reia’s bedroom was now. Reia would move up into a mini-suite on the top floor.

There would also still be a secondary, small bedroom up there for guests, as well as the suite in the basement, where Grey had been staying.

I talked to the foreman and we reviewed the designs he’d drawn up. I changed a few things, mostly minor. Then I collected the clothes I’d come to get — which were more than I’d thought — and ended up packing three large suitcases.

Luckily there was no shortage of men willing to help me carry them downstairs.