A Tale of Two Demon Slayers Read Online Free PDF Page B

Lizzie some air.”
    Diana giggled and launched herself at Dimitri.
    “I’m Dyonne,” said the sister in the bronze-coin earrings and khaki shorts. She offered me a hand and then dragged me into another hug, my neck pressed against her chunky necklace. “Oh who cares? You’re family now, right?”
    I wasn’t so sure but found myself grinning anyway. Who could be polite and detached around these two?
    According to Dimitri, they’d always been a little wild. I didn’t blame them a bit. They’d lived their lives under a demon’s curse, knowing they’d fall into a coma when they reached the age of twenty-eight, and die twenty-eight days later. Dimitri and I had saved them.
    Diana broke away from Dimitri, admiration and a few unshed tears shining in her eyes. “Our rescuer, in the flesh. You’re officially forgiven for using my Han Solo lunch box for target practice.”
    Dimitri’s mouth quirked into a sideways grin. “You said you’d forgive me if I rescued Princess Leia from the carob tree.”
    “Bah.” Dyonne took a playful swipe that Dimitri deftly avoided. “You only did it because Princess Leia was wearing a slave-girl bikini.”
    Dyonne turned to me, her short-cropped hair falling in layers around her eyes. “Good thing for us, our brother’s taste has improved.” She winked.
    “I don’t know about that,” I said, feeling the color creep up my cheeks.
    “I’m sorry,” she touched my arm. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.” Her face glowed with pleasure. “I’m just so glad to have you both here. You don’t know how long we’ve waited to have him back, to be a nice, normal family, you know?”
    I nodded. I did know. I was still looking for that.
    “A dog!” Diana lifted a yawning Pirate out of his carrier and ruffled him thoroughly.
    “Aw, that’s nice.” Pirate soaked up every pet. “Oh hold it. That tickles.”
    Dimitri pulled Dyonne aside, but I heard each word he said. “Are there any new developments regarding the item in my study?”
    Dyonne sobered at once. “Not that I can tell. I ran a few tests. So far, they look good. But you’re the only one who’ll know for sure.” She caught my eye and I detected a flash of worry, or perhaps guilt, before she broke away.
    “The car’s waiting around front,” she said to everyone. “We’ll grab your luggage and head out. Christolo made your favorite, Dimitri. Pastitsio, with a cucumber and feta salad.”
    Dimitri’s eyes lit up. He took my hand and picked up the pace. “Once you’ve had Christolo’s cooking, you’ll never want to leave.” He squeezed my hand.
    “Ohh…” Pirate licked his chops. “I could go for some noodles right about now.”
    I’d tell him later about the twenty-pound bag of Healthy Lite dog chow I’d shipped with our luggage.
    On the way to and from baggage claim, the sisters informed me that my handsome Greek lover was allergic to broccoli, defended the entire family from a werewolf attack at age sixteen and had a habit of going out in rainstorms to rescue worms from the sidewalks. I also discovered the magic Dimitri used to find me could be very, very dangerous in the wrong hands.
    “It’s okay. Dimitri can fix it,” Dyonne said, as if she was trying to convince herself too.
    Dimitri slipped his arm around me as we sat in the backseat of his sister’s battered old Mercedes. I didn’t have to be strong all the time, did I? At least that’s what I told myself as I relaxed into the nook of his shoulder.
    We passed olive groves and vineyards growing in endless rows along the side of the road, their flat green leaves turned up toward the sun. Meanwhile Diana pointed out landmarks, as Dyonne, with her Mona Lisa smile, focused on the road. This had to be the most naturally bright and beautiful place I’d ever seen. The radiant blue sky went on for miles. The air itself smelled sweet. No wonder Dimitri had been so anxious to return.
    In addition to the rustic splendor, he had a family on