Page 5 of Claiming Demons
“The penthouse is owned by just one, Grey. But the others visit… a lot,” I told her. “The other two have nice places, too. Did I mention they’re all stupidly rich?”
“Nope,” she said, her tone flat.
“Grey owns like a billion businesses, Ramsey is a lawyer, and Fen has a high-end restaurant and a construction business,” I added, my tone getting bubblier and bubblier, but my sales pitch was falling on deaf ears.
“Sounds… eclectic.” Her lips were tight. I could tell she wasn’t impressed. But then, I’d never brought home a single winner when she’d been growing up, so why would she suspect anything had changed?
“Look, I know I dated a lot of losers,” I said, sighing heavily. “And I know, in the past, I told you to ‘just give them a try’ even when they were losers. But I’ve changed. A lot — we’ll get to that discussion in a moment — and these guys are different too. They… worship me, which I don’t really understand, but they do. Just meet them and judge for yourself, okay? If you don’t want to stay with us, we’ll find a hotel for you.”
She grimaced and nodded, still not convinced. “Sure, fine, whatever.”
What a resounding endorsement.
Now for the second and even harder discussion.
“So… like I said a moment ago, I’ve changed a lot recently.” I tried to keep smiling, not letting my trepidation affect my voice. “There really isn’t an easy way to say this, so… here goes. It turns out I’m a goddess.”
Caia raised a skeptical brow, but I pushed on before she could comment.
“All the gods in all the pantheons you’ve ever heard of are real and so are lesser celestial beings known as daemons. I thought I was a daemon at first, but they only have two aspects, and I have—” I counted quickly. “—at least six, which makes me a goddess. The guys I’m dating are all daemons. Well, they’re daemon princes actually. They have two aspects and they’re really old and powerful, and what this all means is that all my daughters have aspects too. You have powers, like me. Eva has sex and war. Reia has law, and you… probably have some too.” I paused at that point, trying to gauge Caia’s response.
Much to my surprise, her skepticism had faded a little.
“Huh…” she said softly, brow furrowed in thought. “That… would explain a lot.”
“It would?” She seemed to be accepting this far too easily.
“Do you have powers around love and medicine or healing?” she asked.
“Ah… yeah… why?” Though as soon as I asked, I knew why.
“All the guys at school, and some of the girls for that matter, are all falling-over-themselves in love with me. Also, I seem to be able to heal myself and others. I thought I was just crazy or a mutant or something, but now …” She blinked. “I still don’t really believe any of it, and half of what you just said doesn’t make any sense… but, hey. Maybe I’mnotcrazy. This explains why those things have been happening.”
“Yeah,” I said. “Sorry, my fault.”
“And Eva is sex and war? That explains soooo much. No wonder we never got along.” Caia cocked her head. “Does that mean you’re a goddess of war?”
“Yup. I’m pretty badass.”
I summoned my mystical glowing sword to show Caia. She flinched, her eyes flashing wide.
“Fuck, Mom!”
I made it go away. “So… yeah. I know, a lot to take in. Take your time. I’m just glad you’re home, Caia.”
She smiled, though it seemed a bit forced. “Yeah, time… I think I’ll need that… and probably many more long talks.” Then she laughed. “But yeah, I’m glad to be home too, even if it’s notathome.”
Something told me she wouldn’t be complaining too much when she saw Grey’s place.
ANAIS
I gotCaia settled in a luxurious guest room and deposited my suitcases in Grey’s room, which was now essentially my room too.
By the time I was done putting my stuff away in Grey’s massive, walk-in closet, I found Caia in the main living area chatting with Grey. He hadn’t been here when we’d arrived and must have returned while I was busy in the closet.
He wore a casual-looking suit, dark grey, with his usual black shirt, the collar open. His thick black hair was perfectly combed back, and he was sexy as ever. Those sable eyes caught mine as I drew near and he smiled.
“Your daughter is extremely astute,” he said. “We’ve been talking business strategies and she has some interesting ideas. I shouldn’t be surprised since she’s a Harvard grad.”