Aamon pulled the door open, and an angry-looking woman stepped into Jade's apartment as if she owned the air inside it.
She dipped into a neat bow toward Aamon, gave Zeth a brief nod, then smiled when her eyes landed on Jade.
"Oh," she said, voice sharp with amusement. "What sort of kinky party are you three having?"
Something terrible flickered behind her yellow eyes. Her smile wasn't friendly. It was the smile of a predator that had noticed movement.
She approached Jade slowly, looking her up and down like she was inspecting merchandise. "She's not very plump," the woman added, tapping a finger against Jade's chest. "I don't see how you'd be having fun."
Jade snapped her hand up and batted the woman's arm away, stepping back. "Just who the hell are you?"
The woman's grin widened. "So you do have a bit of bite under there." Her gaze swept Jade again, invasive and pleased. "And is that virgin I smell?"
She circled Jade like a shark, amused by the scent of fear she expected to find.
Jade gave her nothing.
Annoyance flared hot in her chest. Was this another one of Aamon's games? Another way to dodge answering her questions? If this woman was a demon too, Jade wanted answers, and she wasn't going to stand there in stunned silence this time.
"I asked you a question," Jade said flatly, voice turning hard. "I'm in no mood for whatever stupid game you're playing. Who. Are. You?"
The woman stepped closer, eyes bright with glee. "How dare you command answers from me."
Jade rolled her eyes and crossed her arms, glaring back.
Zeth cleared his throat. "Zoe," he said carefully, "I really don't think this is the time for jokes."
"Who said I was joking?" Zoe asked, gaze flicking to the two men. "Is she spoken for?"
No one answered. No contract. No claim.
Zoe smiled, slow and delighted. "In that case…"
She didn't get to finish.
A blur of movement, a burst of heat, and Zoe was thrown across the room. She slammed into the wall and slid down, the flatscreen crashing behind her with a brittle crack.
Aamon stepped in front of Jade, his presence turning the space colder despite the heat that clung to him.
"You'd do well to remember your place, Zoe," Aamon said, voice calm and lethal.
Zoe rose immediately, unfazed, fury rolling off her like a living thing. "Sir, forgive me, but—"
Her words died when she saw Jade's hand.
Jade had moved closer without thinking. Fear and instinct had overridden pride for half a second, and she had grabbed Aamon's hand as if he were an anchor.
The apartment went silent.
Aamon stiffened.
Zeth froze.
Zoe stared as if the laws of reality had just cracked.
Jade realized what she'd done a beat too late. Embarrassment hit like a slap. Her face heated, pink spreading fast across her cheeks as she let go.
Aamon tilted his head, clearly amused despite himself, as if her ability to change color was a puzzle he couldn't stop studying.
Zeth rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah… it kind of just happened earlier," he admitted. "We don't know what to make of it."
Zoe's gaze snapped from Zeth to Aamon, then settled on Jade with new, focused interest. She didn't look hungry anymore. She looked… wary.
"What is she?" Zoe demanded.
All eyes turned to Jade, as if she'd suddenly become the most interesting object in the room.
"Human," Zeth said with a shrug. "I think."
Zoe's expression went thoughtful. She rested a hand on her chin. "I see."
Then she dipped into a small bow, the edge of her earlier menace gone. "My apologies, miss."
Jade shifted awkwardly and looked away. "Suddenly there are three demons in my apartment," she muttered, trying to keep her brain from melting. "Is this normal? I mean, it was bad enough Zeth followed me home, and after last night it doesn't feel… polite to ask you to leave."
Aamon's mouth twitched into a soft smile, but Zoe cut in before he could respond.
"What happened last night?" Zoe asked, gleeful. "I knew there was something freaky going on. You two must be well acquainted."
Jade's face turned beet red with instant understanding.
"We became friends last night," Aamon said pointedly, his expression turning serious. "Nothing more."
Zoe quieted at once.
Jade cleared her throat. "My name is Jade. I didn't mean to be rude. A lot has happened."
Zoe nodded, smile now almost… normal. "Zoe." She glanced at Aamon. "Sovereign ordered me here."
Jade blinked. "Sovereign? Who's that?"
Aamon waved a hand dismissively. "Not important right now." His gaze dropped briefly to his hand, where Jade had held him. "I'll explain things clearly when I understand them."
He looked back at the group. "For now, we focus on the matter at hand."
"And Zoe," he added, eyes narrowing slightly, "don't mind Jade's behavior. She's still learning to tame her tongue."
Jade flushed again, humiliated.
"So you're friends," Zoe said, gaze returning to Jade, "with no deal."
Jade's head snapped up. "Deal?" Her eyes darted to Aamon, suspicion sharpening. "Are you all here to make a deal with me? I don't want anything from any of you."
Zeth placed a hand on her head and smiled. "No. We figured you wouldn't."
Aamon inhaled slowly, considering, then finally spoke. "Abyzou is a demon," he said, looking at Zoe. "Though calling her a demon is… insulting."
Zoe's smile turned sharper.
"She's more like a god," Aamon finished.
Jade gasped, staring at Zoe.
Aamon chuckled at her reaction. "Don't worry. Even if she could be called that, she isn't above me."
For a fraction of a second, he looked almost proud. Then his expression hardened, as if he remembered himself.
He glanced at Zeth and Zoe. "Outside." It sounded less like a suggestion and more like an order.
Jade followed him to the patio with a quiet internal groan. Another secret. Of course.
Outside, Aamon leaned against the rail and lit a cigarette. Jade's mind raced, trying to connect every impossible piece.
She stared at him, finally letting the questions spill. "Why are you here, Aamon? You said they're your associates, right? Is everyone here to help you? What could you possibly want in this little town? And why would you summon a… god-demon to my apartment?"
Aamon's mouth curved faintly. "We summoned her for a favor."
Jade's eyes widened.
"Don't get upset. Let me explain." Aamon lifted his hands, palms out, steadying. "We're not asking you for a deal. Zeth and I…" He hesitated, irritated by the words even existing. "We want to help you."
Jade's head tilted. "You're here to help me? Why?"
"No," Aamon corrected calmly. "We are here for other matters. You and I simply crossed paths." His gaze held hers, unblinking. "When you decided to call me friend… how could I abandon you?"
Jade scoffed. "What else should I call you? Throw myself at your feet and call you my savior?"
Aamon tapped his chin like he was considering it seriously. "Actually… that does sound rather nice."
Jade rolled her eyes, but a reluctant smile tugged at her mouth. "Humiliating. Never happening."
"I'll accept your friendship instead," Aamon said, then added with pointed emphasis, "so long as you don't plan to throw yourself at the feet of another. That would be humiliating."
Jade's brows rose. "Is that jealousy?"
Aamon ignored the question like it offended him.
"In any case," he said, voice smoothing back into business, "Zeth and I are gathering a few Demon Princes."
Jade blinked. "Is Zoe a Princess?"
Aamon laughed once. "No. And she's not my wife either." He paused, then added, tone almost… reluctant. "She runs homes for wayward children. She has access to unoccupied houses, which those of us visiting your realm utilize."
Jade's expression fell. "You guys are leaving."
Aamon studied her for a moment. "That is how it has always been." His voice lowered. "But this time may not be normal. This time… we may have an extra guest."
Jade stared. "Guest… you mean me?"
Aamon nodded. "No deals. Consider it a vacation from this place." His gaze dropped briefly to his hand again. "And we need to understand why I no longer affect you."
Jade swallowed. "If I understand correctly… you want me to vacation with you and Zeth?"
"Yes."
"And how many demons will be living together?"
Aamon's eyes narrowed slightly, like he didn't want to answer. "Nine."
Jade's pulse jumped. "Will I be in danger?"
Aamon's voice went serious, old-fashioned certainty in every word. "I will ensure no harm comes your way."
Jade tried to believe him. Part of her did. Part of her couldn't stop imagining worst-case scenarios anyway.
She forced a shaky laugh. "Why does it feel like you've become my knight in shining armor?"
Aamon lifted an invisible shield as if it were obvious. "What is so wrong with being your knight?"
Jade stared at him. "You don't spend much time around humans, do you?"
Aamon lowered his arm, confused.
Jade sighed, then blurted the question before she could stop herself. "Are you saying you're interested in me?"
Aamon's eyes narrowed, genuinely puzzled. "Interested? Of course I'm interested. You're—" He paused, choosing the words like they were dangerous. "Curious."
Jade groaned. "Not that kind of interested. Dating. Attraction. Ugh, why am I even having this conversation with you?"
Aamon seemed to consider that too seriously. "Either way, why would my interest have anything to do with being your knight?"
Jade blinked, then realized with rising horror. "You're talking about knights literally."
Aamon frowned. "Since when did protecting someone become… romantic?"
"How long has it been since you were last here?" Jade asked slowly.
Aamon thought. "Between the twelfth and fifteenth century."
Jade stared at him, then nodded once like a woman accepting a natural disaster. "Okay. That explains… a lot."
Aamon's eyes flicked to her flushed cheeks. A slow smile crept over his face. "Ah. You change color because of embarrassment."
Jade glared. "I never said I was embarrassed."
Aamon leaned in slightly, amused. "Talking about intimacy embarrasses you."
"I am trying to clear the air," Jade snapped, flustered. "Who invites a stranger to move in and claims to protect her without alternative motives?"
Aomon's expression turned smug. "Did you not invite me in as a stranger without alternative motives?"
Jade froze, then slumped. "That's not the same."
"It is," Aamon said, satisfied.
Jade fanned her face, defeated by her own mouth.
Aamon watched her a beat longer than necessary, then cleared his throat, steering them back to the point.
"In any case," he said, voice firm again, "you will not be in danger so long as I am present. What is your answer?"
Jade stared at him, suspicious of the way his teasing had threaded through the conversation like a trap. Still… she couldn't deny the thought of not returning to silence tonight made her chest loosen.
She nodded. "Fine."
Aamon's gaze lifted toward the sky, a faint smile on his lips.
Back inside, Zoe questioned Zeth in a low voice while Aamon and Jade were still outside.
"How is this going to work," Zoe asked, "with a mortal tagging along? Will the others accept her?"
Zeth shrugged. "Does it matter? Aamon is attached to his new mortal friend. And honestly… I don't mind her either."
Zoe rolled her eyes. "Great. The Soul Shift is about to start, and the two most important pieces in the Dark Realm are preoccupied with a mortal." She studied Zeth sharply. "Since when can Aamon touch a mortal? Is that woman even human?"
Zeth shook his head. "She is. The physical contact is recent. We don't have an answer yet."
Zoe's gaze flicked toward the balcony. "She doesn't even know who Aamon is."
Zeth let out a soft chuckle. "Exactly. Who would dare play a trick like that? And how could she, when she doesn't even know what she's touching?"
Zoe huffed, then looked down at the documents she'd brought. One sat separate, already chosen. A large Victorian home tucked deeper into the woods. Ten rooms. Two living spaces. A kitchen built for a family, not demons.
Aamon had only needed eight before. One for each Prince. One for himself. One for Zeth.
Ten rooms meant something had shifted.
Zeth patted Zoe's shoulder. "I was shocked too," he admitted. "But Jade isn't going to be a problem. Honestly… I think things will be entertaining with her around."
Zoe narrowed her eyes. "What are you not telling me?"
Zeth hesitated, then sighed. "Jade freed me. And the Leviathan. No deal."
Zoe's hand flew to her mouth. "Shit."
"Exactly," Zeth muttered. "A favor done without repayment…" He looked toward the window, dread tightening his chest. "If I can't balance it, the Reapers could exile me. Levi too."
Zoe's expression went grim. "The Dark Realm would fall into chaos."
"I can't make a deal to repay her," Zeth said. "She helped without a contract. I have to balance it the same way."
Zoe nodded slowly. "We'll think of something."
When Aamon and Jade entered the room again, Zoe got to her feet, slightly bowing as she held out a paper.
Aamon read it once. "This will do."
Zoe bowed. "Privacy. Ten rooms. Two living spaces." She looked at Jade, smile warmer now. "Congratulations. You're the only mortal in existence to properly befriend three demons. You should feel special."
Jade gave a small, uncertain smile. "I guess so."
The heaviness in the apartment eased, just slightly, like a storm cloud shifting.
"What happens now?" Jade asked.
Aamon glanced at the clock. "It's only four. Too early for coffee."
Zoe gasped. "Shit, it's already four? I have to go. The kids will be up soon."
Aamon nodded like that pleased him. "We'll accompany you to the house."
He looked at Jade. "We need to prepare it. I'll return for you tomorrow."
Disappointment pricked Jade's chest, but she nodded.
Zeth leaned close and whispered something in Aamon's ear. Aamon's eyes widened. He glanced at Zoe, who nodded grimly.
When Aamon looked back at Jade, she thought she caught the slightest hint of fear in his eyes.
"Stay here," he said, voice low and urgent. "Rest. Pack what you need. Whatever you do… do not let anyone in until I come back."
Jade frowned. "I already told you, I don't socialize. Why would anyone show up here?"
"No time," Aamon said, jaw tight. "I will explain later."
Jade huffed. "I'm getting really tired of hearing that."
Aamon paused at the door and looked back, amusement returning like a mask. "See you soon, curious little kitty cat."
Then all three vanished, the air shifting as if they'd never been there.
Jade stood in the quiet, one hand drifting to her chest as a heavy feeling swelled and settled there.
Until tonight, she hadn't realized how much she hated the stillness of her apartment.
As she began to pack, it hit her all at once: this wasn't permanent. It couldn't be.
"Get a grip, Jade," she muttered to herself. "You're always alone. This is no different."
But the tight ball of uncertainty stayed.
Aamon hadn't been in this realm in centuries. They came and went like storms.
How long would they stay?
How long before Jade was alone again?