Chapter 2

I'd suspected Zarek had a previous owner from the beginning.

After all, I'd found him abandoned beside a dumpster.

Buying incubi online had become incredibly popular over the past few years. The advertisements promised beautiful familiars who could provide magical nourishment, keep you company, and even help with household chores.

I'd wanted one for ages.

Unfortunately, the cheapest models cost more than I could save in several months.

Then, one month ago, I'd stumbled across Zarek.

He'd been lying beside a dumpster, pale and barely conscious.

His clothes were filthy, and he looked as though he'd gone days without food or water.

I couldn't just leave him there.

I brought him home, gave him something to eat and drink, and let him recover.

He barely spoke during those first few days. Whenever I tried to get close, he'd look at me like he expected me to do something unpleasant.

"Do you remember where you used to live?" I'd asked him once. "When you're feeling better, I can help you find your owner."

"I don't have one."

I'd assumed he'd misunderstood. "What do you mean?"

"I don't have a master." His expression had turned sour. "Drop it."

But he had a name.

As far as I knew, registered incubi were given their names by the people who purchased them. Their names were often woven into their original contracts, making them difficult to change.

So I'd figured Zarek had been abandoned by a former owner who'd removed his registration and dumped him somewhere out of sight.

I let him stay with me.

We never established a contract, mostly because he refused every time I brought it up.

Now, though, I was beginning to understand. Zarek might have the temperament of a feral wolf, but apparently, he was still devoted to the person who'd abandoned him.

Maybe he'd never gotten over her.

---

A few days later, I got the confirmation I'd been looking for.

That weekend, I took Zarek to the coast to watch the king tide roll in.

The waves were supposed to be spectacular, and I figured a little fresh air might improve his mood.

Before we left, I pointed a finger at him.

"Look, considering I've been feeding you and paying for everything, you owe me one favor. If a huge wave comes along, you protect me. Got it?"

"Sure."

He sounded bored out of his mind.

But when we reached the overlook, something changed.

Zarek stopped walking.

His attention had locked onto a woman standing near the railing.

He stared at her so intently that he didn't even hear me calling his name.

I followed his gaze.

The woman had long hair and a pretty face. She was laughing at something on her phone, completely unaware of the tall, dark-haired man watching her from across the crowded overlook.

Is she his former owner?

I was still trying to figure out how to ask when a massive wave surged toward the shore.

People screamed and scrambled back from the railing.

Zarek moved before I could even react.

He rushed straight past me and planted himself in front of the woman, shielding her with his body as the wave crashed over the barrier.

The water slammed into him, sending spray across the entire overlook.

For a moment, I couldn't believe what I'd just seen.

He'd promised to protect me.

Instead, he'd rushed to protect her without a second thought.

Before the woman could turn around and see his face, he slipped away into the crowd.

Meanwhile, I wasn't nearly fast enough to avoid the water.

By the time I stumbled back, I was soaked from head to toe.

I pushed my wet hair out of my face and glared at Zarek when he finally reappeared.

"Do you know that woman?"

For once, he didn't deny anything.

He simply looked away.

That was all the confirmation I needed.

Before we left the overlook, I approached the woman to make sure she was all right. We exchanged contact information, and I learned her name was Josie.

I went home convinced I'd finally figured out Zarek's problem.

Unfortunately, the ocean had given me a nasty cold in return.

By evening, I was curled up in bed, shivering beneath two blankets. My head felt heavy, and my throat hurt every time I swallowed.

Zarek stood in my doorway, looking thoroughly unimpressed.

"You get sick from a little water?" he muttered. "Humans really are pathetic."

"Glad you're enjoying yourself."

I buried my face in the pillow.

Then someone knocked on the front door.

I dragged myself upright and shuffled into the living room.

Two officials stood outside, both wearing dark uniforms embroidered with the silver insignia of the Bureau of Arcane Affairs.

"Good evening," the taller one said. "We've received a report of an unregistered supernatural creature in this neighborhood. We're conducting inspections and need to ask a few questions."

I stared at him.

"An unregistered creature?"

"That's right. Under the current regulations, unregistered entities may be detained for identification and containment."

My stomach dropped.

Zarek was unregistered. If his previous owner had abandoned him and canceled his contract, he might not have any legal protection at all.

And if the Bureau discovered what he was—

I grabbed his arm and shoved him toward my bedroom.

"Closet. Now."

He looked at me like I'd lost my mind.

"What—"

"Just get in there!"

Miraculously, he obeyed.

I shut the closet door just as the officials entered.

They searched the living room, checked the kitchen, and glanced into the spare bedroom. Fortunately, Zarek had the good sense not to make a sound.

Then the shorter official stopped in front of my closet.

"Would you mind if we checked in there?"

I stepped directly into his path.

"I'm sorry, but that's private."

"This is an urgent investigation, ma'am. We need your cooperation."

"There's underwear in there. And some things I'd rather not have two strangers going through."

The two officials exchanged an uncomfortable glance.

The taller one cleared his throat. "We'd prefer not to make this difficult."

"Then don't search my closet."

They whispered to each other for a moment. Neither looked particularly eager to push the issue.

Finally, the shorter one sighed.

"Fine. We'll leave it for now. But if we find evidence that you're hiding an unregistered entity, we'll be back."

I forced myself to look confused. "Why would I be hiding anything?"

The taller official hesitated.

For the first time, I noticed genuine fear in his eyes.

"There's been a recent increase in demonic activity," he said quietly. "We're looking for a demon."