A Tale of Two Demon Slayers Read Online Free

I loved every minute of it.
    I rubbed my spine, releasing a waft of Bengay. Dimitri noticed it too. He tried to hide it, but his nose wrinkled slightly at the pungent odor.
    “It has to get better,” I said. “TSA took my drugs.”
    “Praise be to national security.” He handed me a Diet Coke and pulled a Hershey bar from his pack, my two feel-good foods. Did I say the man was a keeper?
    I unwrapped the chocolate and bit into it, savoring the creamy texture. I’ve never been crazy about flying, but somehow being here with this man made it all worth-while.
    “My sisters can’t wait to meet you, Lizzie,” he said, smoothing a lock of hair behind my ear.
    Pirate let out a grunt that turned into a loud doggie snore. Dimitri couldn’t stop grinning, although I didn’t know whether it was due to Pirate or the anticipation of going home at last. “Diana has already unearthed pictures of my more awkward years, and Dyonne is most eager to tell you the story of my first shift into my griffin form.”
    “When was that?” I asked.
    “Not long enough ago for them to forget,” he said wistfully.
    Dimitri stole the corner of my Hershey bar and slid it into his mouth. “The first shift happens during puberty,” he said, “and—like everything else at that time—it can be awkward.”
    Was my big sexy griffin blushing?
    I cocked an eyebrow. “Do tell.”
    “Suffice it to say, a few parts didn’t make the transition.”
    I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed myself to him. “Seems all there now.”
    “I wouldn’t blame you if you want to double-check,” he said, his voice rough against my cheek.
    “Let’s get to Greece first.” I gave him an extra little rub, just to tease.
    Dimitri booked us first-class seats, which thrilled me to my toes because I’d always flown coach, and usually with a super-saver ticket, which meant I was in the last boarding group. The bin space, blankets and pretty much everything else were usually gone by the time I got to my seat. No more.
    I even asked for double snack mix.
    “They’re not serving food yet,” Dimitri said against my ear as he fastened his seat belt.
    “I know,” I said, adjusting the window shade. I couldn’t see much besides the lights of the airport, but it was still a window seat. And I was happy. “I figured they’d want to know early.” I eyed Pirate’s doggie carrier underneath the seat in front of me.
    “He’s doing pretty well for his first flight,” Dimitri said.
    “Yeah, well we haven’t taken off yet.” And Dimitri hadn’t witnessed Pirate’s first ride on a motorcycle. Suffice it to say, Pirate didn’t always take well to new modes of transportation.
    But Pirate was the least of our worries. “Take a look at this,” I said, retrieving the box from under the seat in front of him. I showed him the bar and leaned in close to tell him what I’d seen.
    He nodded thoughtfully. Worry clouded his eyes. “We’ll take it under advisement,” he said simply.
    Whatever response I’d expected, that wasn’t it.
    “You sound like a lawyer,” I said, hurt he wasn’t taking my imagined death more seriously.
    Dimitri kissed me on the head, his warm breath lingering on my forehead. “What do you want me to say? That I’m scared every day something is going to happen to you?”
    I pulled back, surprised to find him as tense as I felt. “Yes. No. I don’t know.” I burrowed against him again.
    He squeezed my hand. “Look at me, Lizzie.” His sharp features were almost too sincere. “I’ll protect you. I promise.”
    My modern woman sensibilities wanted to protest. I could take care of myself. I was a demon slayer. Besides, I think that on some level, every one of us needs to believe we can hold our own against the monsters in life—especially the ones we were put on this earth to conquer.
    Still, I loved Dimitri for wanting to swoop in and rescue me. I ran my fingers down his strong jaw. “Thank you.”
    Of course, now that I had