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After Rasmus was gone, the demon wolves whined as they stared up at me. I turned and smiled down at them. “Look, I don’t know if ya recognized her or not, but Zara’s not the person she used to be. Unfortunately, she’s also not willing to help yayet. We may have to give her a bit of time to adjust to her new reality. I promise I’ll keep working on her.”

Two sets of demon wolf eyes suddenly glowed red as they went on alert. It meant their adoptive alpha was close. I had the opposite reaction to Conn’s presence and relaxed when I felt him near to me. I smiled in welcome when I turned to see Conn casually walking toward us. “Go greet him. I know ya want to.” Then I laughed as the demon wolves bolted to him.

Conn dealt with their jumping for joy and their need for him to pet them. Part of me wanted to leave things exactly as they were. The other part knew that was not the right thing to be wanting for those women. They deserved to have their humanity returned. If I could make it happen, I had to do so. I could adopt some dogs that would be as welcoming and accepting as the demon wolves were.

My sigh of disappointment was loud as I vowed internally to be a better person.

“Good Goddess, Aran. I heard your thoughts over the screeching Mulan calls singing. What did the guardian do now?”

I glared at Conn. “That reminds me. I need to check with Henry to see if he got in touch with that teacher yet. I’m tired of broadcasting to every paranormal within hearing distance. And I’ve heard Mulan sing, Conn. She has a pleasant voice.”

Conn snickered and pointed to his head. “Not to demon ears.”

I rolled my eyes. “Don’t tell me ya don’t adore her because I’ll call ya a liar.”

“Oh, I adore her, just not her singing. By the way, we’re coming to dinner later. Henry insists we attend. He’s worried the stress of having the guardians here might make you snap.”

I moaned and covered my face. “Good Goddess, Henry heard my thoughts as well.”

“Yes. He and Gale both did. The older a demon gets, the more skill they have in reading minds, even when they’re trying not to do so. Lilith finds your thoughts refreshing and entertaining. I find them the same. Henry and Gale don’t share our views. They find them worrisome. But I wouldn’t let that bother you.”

“Gah... I hate my life. I’m an open book for everyone to read.”

“You do not hate your life,” Conn said, laughing softly. “You’re just irritated at the guardians and mad at Rasmus for not working harder to make up. Rasmus is not a human male, no matter how much he looks like one. He will not tell you what you want to hear just to get laid. Guardians think too much of themselves to do that. You’re going to have to deal with him as he is and what he thinks. You received a more pleasant, less intelligent version of him and weren’t satisfied. So suck it up and deal with the intelligent one you wanted and finally got back.”

“Iamdealing with him, Conn. I’m just not sleeping with him.”

“Yes, we know. Your frustration is being shouted to the world. Rasmus undoubtedly knows ya’re holding out as well. They use human feelings like one uses a map. Reading you shows him what to do.”

“Ya’re not being helpful today, Conn.”

His laughter rang out. “I’m sorry. Would it be helpful to tell you how much I admire your bravery concerning the wicked guardian female? I think you’d challenge the gods if you felt the need.”

I finally removed my hands from my fiery face. “Does challenging The Dagda count? He was manipulating me and I knew it. But I don’t think he holds my ability to read him against me.”

I laughed at the long sigh Conn released.

“It’s not like I’m intentionally trying to be a problem for the guardians. I admit their arrogant outlook grates on my nerves and it upsets me that they do nothing to tone it down. What am I supposed to say in response to their idiocy?Why, yes, I am an inferior being. Don’t lower yerselves to see things from my point of view.Well, that’s not happening, Conn. They don’t live here. They’re guests. And not even good ones.”

I wanted to punch him when a laughing Conn pulled me close for a hug. The demon wolves yipped and ran in circles around us. They didn’t want either of us to be mad.

“Go on and play,” I told them softly. “Everything is going to be fine. I’m just tired of all the crap I’m going through. I’ll get over myself later. I always do.”

They looked at Conn. When he smiled and nodded, they raced off for the rope they used to play tug of war.

I groaned as I pushed him away. “All I want is a peaceful life. I’d even settle for a few peaceful days.”

Conn sighed. “I wish I could give that to you, but I can’t. I came to find you to give you some news. Mulan’s parents are coming this weekend. I left her singing angry songs in the kitchen to come tell you.”

I laughed but this time for real. “Of course, they are. The entire world is conspiring against me getting any rest this week.”

“If you’d set aside your pride, Rasmus could help you get some rest.”

“No,” I said, crossing my arms as Conn laughed. “I’ll not be doing that until we’ve reached an understanding.”

Realizing how much I sounded like Fiona, I let my arms fall.

“Tell Mulan it’s fine for them to arrive early. We’ll make it work. The sooner their time here starts—the sooner it will end and we can go back to normal.”