Page 107 of Demons In My Head: Exposing the Exiled

I nodded, relief washing through me. No more Scorpio. No more Asrael. Just me and my demons and our weird, complicated, perfect dynamic.

"There's something else we need to discuss," Ashland said, his leader voice coming out. I tensed automatically, but Felix's hand found my shoulder, squeezing gently.

"The mate bond," I guessed, setting down my fork. "I felt it during the fight. With all of you."

"It's unprecedented," Rhodes admitted. "A human witch bonded to five demons and a spirit. The power dynamics alone..."

"Are fascinating, we know," Talon interrupted. "But more importantly, when do we get to claim her properly?"

I choked on my pancake while Felix smacked Talon upside the head. "Really? You want to right now?"

"What? We were all thinking about it!"

"Children," Ashland warned, but I could see the amusement in his eyes.

I looked around at them all, my protectors, my partners, my mates. The thought should have terrified me, but instead it felt right, like pieces clicking into place. And gods damn if my thighs didn't clench together just thinking about it. Life was short. Too short, and I was done wasting time.

"I want to do it now," I announced, pushing my empty plate away. "The claiming. The bond. All of it."

Six pairs of eyes locked onto me with an intensity that made my skin prickle with awareness. The air in the kitchen grew thick with tension.

"Palmer," Ashland started, his voice carrying that careful authority he used when he thought someone was being rash. "You just woke up after an intense magical battle. Your power levels are still—"

"Exactly," I cut him off. "My power levels are high, I'm connected to the veil like never before, and Jasper is more corporeal than he's been in centuries. This is the perfect time."

Rhodes stepped forward, his analytical mind clearly working overtime. "She has a point. The residual energy could help stabilize the bond, especially with Jasper's unique situation."

"Fuck yes," Talon grinned, earning another smack from Felix.

"It's not that simple," Misha rumbled from his corner. "A claiming between demons is intense enough. Adding a witch and a spirit to the mix..." He trailed off, his dark eyes intense as they met mine.

I stood up, squaring my shoulders. "When has anything about us been simple? I'm tired of waiting, tired of dancing around what we all know is inevitable. I choose this. I choose you—all of you."

Jasper's form shimmered beside me, his energy crackling with anticipation. "The veil is responsive right now. If we're going to attempt bringing me back fully, combining it with the claiming ritual could work."

"Or it could tear reality apart," Rhodes muttered, but I could see the excitement building behind his eyes.

"Everything we do could tear reality apart," I pointed out. "That's kind of our thing."

Felix laughed, the sound rich with affection. "She's got us there."

"The ritual room," Ashland said suddenly, making us all turn to him. His ice-blue eyes blazed with decision. "If we're doing this, we do it properly. With protections in place."

My heart thundered in my chest. This was really happening. After everything, all the lies, the betrayals, the fighting… we were finally here. The air crackled with possibility and power.

"Last chance to back out, little witch," Misha warned, but his massive frame was already moving toward me, drawn by the invisible pull between us.

I tilted my chin up defiantly. "Not a chance, big guy. You're all stuck with me now."

"As if we'd want it any other way," Felix murmured, his artist's hands already reaching for me.

"The ritual room is warded," Rhodes was saying, already planning. "We'll need to modify the circles to account for the veil energy..."

But I was barely listening anymore, too caught up in the way they were all moving closer, surrounding me with their heat and power. Jasper's touch sent shivers down my spine while Talon's fingers traced patterns on my arm.

"Well then," I breathed, trying to keep my voice steady despite the desperate need building inside me. "What are we waiting for?"

Ashland's smile was pure sin as he extended his hand to me. "Nothing at all, little rabbit. Nothing at all."