Page 61 of Demon's Desire
Soul didn’t say anything else. He just held me there against his chest. Once in a while, he would stroke my hair. He simply stayed with me. He didn’t pull away. He didn’t tell me to stop crying. He was just there…
About ten minutes later, I smelled hot food as Kelly got back in the car. I hadn’t moved from Soul’s arms the entire time.
“Hey, hon,” she said softly. “I got you a quarter pounder and some nuggets and a coke. You can eat it now or when we get home. We’re only three minutes from the apartment.”
I took a deep breath and nodded, finally pulling away from Soul. “Yeah… Thank you. Yeah, let’s go home.”
Kelly smiled at me and patted my knee. “All right. Here, you hold the food.”
I took it with one arm and wiped my face with the other. I hadn’t really cried, but I felt like I had. Kelly started the car and Soul looked at me. “Are you all right?”
I nodded. “Thank you. I am. But I’ll be better when we’re home.”
“Of course.” He put his arm around my shoulder and relaxed against the seat.
“Soul,” I blinked. “The back seat is too small for you. Go sit up front.”
“I’m fine back here.” He was completely scrunched up with his knees up to his chest, but he didn’t complain. He just shut the door. And honestly, it made me feel safer.
When we got to the apartment, we all relaxed significantly. Kelly and I sat on the couch, and Soul sat on a couple of our floor pillows. Kelly turned on Real Housewives so we had some noise, and we all ate. Kelly had even gotten Soul a Big Mac and a root beer.
“Thank you.” I eventually sighed and leaned against Kelly. “I didn’t think I was hungry, but this made everything better.”
She smiled and hugged my shoulders. “Food always does.”
“You’re right about that.” I gave her a slight smile and sat back against the couch. “I’m sorry. You guys were so worried about me this whole time. Are y’all alright? That was scary…”
“I’m fine.” Kelly nodded. “Really. If you hadn’t had us down the stairs when you did, I’d be a wreck, but yeah. I’m fine.”
“You kept us safe, Mia,” Soul said, repeating the same sentiment from earlier. “Thank you.”
“Yeah,” Kelly agreed. “How did you know we needed to leave?”
I started to explain everything to her, that there was a demon hunter chasing Soul and that he’d been there tonight. I’d had no idea there would be a fire, I’d just been trying to keep Soul safe. And once the power went out, I’d gotten this feeling in the pit of my stomach that something bad would happen.
“I’m so glad you were there.” Kelly hugged me again. “And, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’m actually glad Soul was there too. If you hadn’t body-blocked for us, we might have been trampled.”
“That’s the nicest thing you’ve said to me since we’ve met.” He laughed.
Kelly chuckled. “Don’t get used to it.”
Seeing the two of them semi-get along made me feel better. I was glad I had them. I was glad I had them both. I was still scared of what was happening and what was going to happen, but I could relax right now that we were all together.
“I’m gonna go to bed,” she said, getting up. “Go to sleep soon, all right?”
I nodded. “I think I’m gonna get ready for bed too.” I had finished all of my food, so I picked everything up and went to throw it away. “Soul, are you ready for bed?”
“Yes.” He got up and went to my room.
I came in a couple of minutes later and went to my closet, grabbing pajamas. I went to change with my back to Soul, not bothering with the playful teasing this time.
“Mia?” he asked. “Are you all right?”
“Um… Sort of.” I shrugged. “I’m fine for right now. I’m a little… nervous.”
“I expected.” I heard his footsteps behind me as I pulled up my shorts. Before I could turn around, I felt his arms around my shoulders. I blushed and looked up at him.
“Um… What are you doing?” I muttered.