Free Demon's Web by Laura Hawks Page B

of eating. She appeared more wearied than he had ever seen her, although he couldn’t blame her in the least.
    Azamel also appeared exhausted and worn down, yet every day they were out there searching. Every day they hoped for a clue, a lead, something which would let them know where their youngest child was located. Every day they clutched to the belief they would find Trinity and return her to the safety of the manor. Yet, every night they returned disappointed in their failure to discover where she was or who might have taken her.
    As he stood there, he felt a presence enter the garden and turned to face her. A smile appearing on his own worn face. It was the first time he had seen her in months. They had been so busy searching for his sister, he had done or concerned himself with little else. Even her. He moved quickly to be by her side, pulling her into his arms.
    “Jasmine! I was worried about you. I didn’t know how to find you. Are you okay?”
    “I’m sorry, Logan. I heard about your sister, Trinity. I felt it best to stay hidden longer. The ripple effects of Trinity’s abduction have rebounded throughout the universes. My mother has kept me concealed. She also thinks Trinity was taken because of me, though she also believes Trinity will be used to hunt me. My mother is unaware I’ve ever come here or even that I am here now, but I had to see you. I have missed you so much.”
    “Why are you being hunted, Jaz? Why can’t you tell me? I want to protect you, help to keep you safe, but I can’t do that if I don’t know what I am up against or why.”
    Jasmine pulled back within the confines of his arms. “How would you be able to do that anyways when you are stuck here?”
    “I’m not. I can go into the human world to guard you. My parents have trained me well. We have searched for months with no sign of my sister and my father feels I should not give up my entire life. I can still hunt for her, but he feels I should be there to protect you. He knows how I feel about you.”
    “You told him?” She was astounded, and suddenly nervous about others, especially the demon judge, knowing about her or that she was even here, much less visiting here for the past decade.
    “He suspected something when we first started looking for Trin. He asked and I had to tell him the truth. He didn’t mind, though. I was rather surprised. He wanted me to be with you and help to keep you safe.”
    “And your mother?”
    “She still doesn’t know. Dad thought it was best she not have to worry about me while she is still so distraught over my sister. She is going to be upset as it is, when she learns I am leaving to live in the human world so I can be with you, before finding Trinity. She feels like she has lost one child as it is, to have me leave so soon will only agitate her further.”
    Jasmine frowned. She hadn’t really been living in the Human Realm. Yet, this was not the time or place to discuss all of this.
    “When will you be going to the Human Realm? When will you tell your mother?”
    “As soon as I can. I wanted to talk to you first. I don’t know where you live or where I am going. I, honestly, wasn’t even sure you would want me.”
    “Yes. I want you,” she said softly, looking up into those turquoise eyes she was so enamored with. “But you should know, I only live in the human world for short amounts of time. If I am there too long, I can be discovered.”
    “Who is hunting you? Why? What am I going to be up against?”
    “It’s a very long story and I will explain it all in good time. I promise.” She pulled back and looked around nervously. “I need to go. I am being summoned. Meet me in New Orleans in one week. Bourbon Street, the Cat’s Meow courtyard at midnight. I’ll explain everything then.” Jasmine leaned in and kissed his lips softly. “I promise. I’ll tell you all about my strange life then.”
    “I will see you there at the appointed time. I will wait for you to tell me the