Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72519 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 363(@200wpm)___ 290(@250wpm)___ 242(@300wpm)
“No, it’s okay. I…I need to talk to my landlord first. We never discussed guests. They’d probably be okay with it, but it’s only fair that I check and give them some warning.”
Especially since the demons now have this crazy idea that they want to play matchmaker.
“Cool. Cool.” The tension that had appeared on Matteo’s handsome face evaporated in an instant, and his easy smile returned. “Ah! I almost forgot!” He pulled his backpack around on his shoulder so he could dig into one of the pockets. After a couple of seconds, he withdrew a small bag of what looked to be trail mix and held it up in triumph. “I bought this because you said that you feed the crows nuts. Do you think they’d like this?”
For a moment, Luke could only stare in shock at Matteo. “You want to feed the crows?”
“Sure. I thought it might help show them I’m one of the good guys, so they won’t feel the need to go after me when they’re trying to protect you.”
Well, now that he knew Azroth was controlling the crows, and the goal was to get Matteo to fall for Luke, he doubted the crows would go after Matteo again. However, there was no way he could tell Matteo that and still sound sane.
“Um…yeah…I think that would work.” Luke forced his gaze to the bag while chastising his wandering thoughts. His brain was too busy humming and skipping through his head, refusing to do any real thinking. After way too long, he registered what he was looking at. It was trail mix, but not a great one.
“This is…okay.”
“Not good? Tell the truth,” Matteo pressed.
“No, it’s okay. Just…if you buy another bag, make sure it’s unsalted. They don’t need that unnecessary sodium. Plus, don’t give them the chocolate pieces. If you’re searching for something for them, they are big fans of unshelled peanuts.”
“Got it. Makes sense.” Matteo tucked the bag away and zipped the pocket. “Get to class and learn important things. I’ll text you later.”
Luke waved good-bye, his legs unable to move as he watched Matteo jog away. His heart was racing, his palms were sweating, and he was seriously considering fainting for good measure. Matteo had talked to him. He’d bought the crows some nuts based on something Luke had said. And he even wanted to come to his house.
A house full of demons.
That last part might not be a great idea.
He needed to think about that. While the demons could assume human form and refrain from scaring Matteo, did he want to take the risk? Azroth might be able to help rein in his compatriots.
Luke shuffled to his class, his brain turning over the pros and cons of allowing Matteo to come to his house. It would be nice to talk to him without the prying eyes of society waiting to pounce on them and point out that Matteo shouldn’t be talking to a loser like him. Luke was sure he might relax enough in private to sound like a knowledgeable human being.
On the other hand, the house had six demons determined to be love matchmakers.
This required a lot of careful thought and planning.
As a result, he might have heard only about a third of the professor’s lecture that day as his brain alternated between the scheming demons and Matteo’s sweet smile.
After gathering up his things at the end of class, Luke checked his phone for emails and found he had a text waiting for him from Matteo. It was a selfie of him sitting on the ground with a giant grin on his face. In the background were Banks and Dante, as they picked through a pile of nuts on the ground close to Matteo. He’d actually gotten the crows to come to him for food, and he looked so damn proud of himself.
Fuck. He was already half in love with Matteo, and now the man was caring for his crows. Luke was sure of it. He didn’t stand a chance.
Chapter 15
Plotting with Demons
AZROTH
Luke had a proposal for the demons.
This was faster than Azroth had been expecting. He was even more impressed that the little human had requested a meeting with all of them. And so soon after discovering their true nature.
“Do you think he’s going to ask to move out?” Tog asked. A scowl twisted up his large meaty face as if he meant to fight Luke if he dared to leave them.
“Do you really think he’d ask to talk to us if he was?” Ogos replied. Azroth clenched his teeth, waiting for Tog to stomp on Ogos for his sarcastic, condescending tone.
Mullmag shuffled closer, all four of his hands wringing and twisting together. “Maybe he’s afraid we’ll hunt him down if he attempts to sneak away.”
Of course, after Luke’s talk with Azroth, it didn’t feel like Luke intended to run. He’d been adamant about staying, and not nearly enough time had passed for him to find an alternative residence.