It turned out that Lilith was a blood demon, which made a ridiculous amount of sense now that I knew. Berith must not have realized it himself, or he would have known that a little cut wouldn’t do anything other than weaken her for awhile. Blood demons were very similar to what humans imagined as vampires. As long as they had access to a steady supply of blood, nothing could kill them. Not even a wooden stake to the heart, by the way. They would only die without blood. A long, slow, painful death where they would wither away into nothing more than a pile of ash.

It also explained why Lilith liked to surround herself with humans. I knew she cared for them, but it was obvious the relationships had been two-way streets. She provided them with a safe space from the demons. They provided her with blood.

Unlike most blood demons, Lilith would only take blood if the human consented. And I had no idea how the hell we were going to find a human nearby who would be willing to submit to a vampire.

“Why don’t we just ask one of the crew members to do it?” I asked after we went through several dead end options.

Ramiel, Sam, and I had huddled together while Az, Uriel, and Lizzie were off rounding up some food for the crew. We’d found a little side room by the kitchen full of muddy wellies and umbrellas.

“We can ask,” Ramiel said with a frown, “but you saw their reaction to the water demons. I don’t see how any of them will agree to it.”

I let out a frustrated sigh. “Surely one of them will agree. I mean, how has she gotten all of those other humans to agree all these years?”

“Her charm,” Sam said simply. “It’s a blood demon thing. Humans eat it up.”

“You better be talking about some grub because you’re right.” The captain, Rourke, strode into the utility room and crossed his arms. “Otherwise, I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you lot are talking about.”

Ah, the captain. Perfect timing, as usual. Time for me to try and remedy the situation.

I moved closer to him and placed a hand on his elbow, half steering him toward the open door. “I know you all got ushered to your rooms pretty early, but I’d like to introduce you to the owner of this house.”

“The demon, you mean.” His voice was flat.

“Yes, the demon.”

“Look.” He ran a hand down his tired face. “It’s taken a lot for me to accept your whole fallen angel thing. After all me and my friends have been through, it was tough teaming up with some supernatural beings. You all have earned my respect though. I’ve seen you in action. It took a lot for us to do that.”

“I appreciate that. I do.” I took a deep breath. I wasn’t going to be able to convince this man that he should give a demon a chance. It was hard enough for him to agree to stay here, but his men needed rest. They’d probably be out of here first thing in the morning.”Just..I don’t know, can you—”

He held up a hand, and my heart sunk. “Let me finish, Erela. Like I’ve said, you’ve earned my respect. I know you’re fighting on our side. You all risked your lives and your limbs to keep my people safe. If you say that a demon deserves a chance, one who has welcomed us into her own home, well then I reckon I should give her a chance. I’ll meet her, but just me for now. I can’t let my men walk into something without me first checking it out.”

I blinked at him. That was…unexpected. Maybe I’d underestimated this Rourke. “Right. Awesome. Well, in that case, come with me.”

* * *

When the captain laid his eyes on Lilith, I knew he was a goner. She smiled up at him, her long hair framing her delicate face. He cleared his throat and strode up before her, making a little bow before he held out his hand.

“I’m Rourke. Spent most of my life as a captain, though I didn’t really have anywhere to go until now. My friends and I appreciate you letting us stay here in your home. We’ve come a long way to bring this lot here to England. You do know why they’re here, right?”

Shakily, she stood, took his hand in hers, and then placed her other on top. I couldn’t help but notice that her cheeks were pink. “Nice to meet you, Rourke. I’m Lilith, and yes I do know why the angels are here. They want to close the portal to hell to keep more demons from coming into your world. As hard as it might be for you to believe, so do I. Until a few weeks ago, I had been protecting that amulet with my life, to keep this world safe. I kept it right here.” Slowly, she dragged her hand up to her neck and pointed at her chest.

The captain’s face deepened into a dark shade of red. Oh, Lilith was good. I could see now what Sam had meant.

“Well, then we find ourselves on the same side.” He tipped his head forward, swallowed hard. “At your service, Lilith.”

After a few tense moments, he stepped back, turned, and disappeared out into the hallway.

“Lilith,” I said, gesturing after him. “Why didn’t you ask him? I mean, he was practically ready to worship at your feet!”

She lowered herself back into her chair and fanned her face. “I don’t know if I can ask him. He’s far too handsome.”

“Far too handsome?” A grin began to spread across my lips. “You have a crush on Rourke.

She scoffed and pressed down the front of her shirt. “Crush is such a silly word, and no, I don’t have one. I merely find him attractive is all, and I…well, I don’t really look my best when I’m in my drinking mode.”

“Oh, come on. You’d look great even if you were covered from head to toe in demon gunk. You should ask him, Lilith. I’m sure he’d say yes. And well…you need blood, and I don’t know where else we’d be able to find you some.”

* * *

Lilith was very particular about where all of us were to stay. The humans, including their oh-so-sexy Captain (according to Lilith, anyway…I could admit the guy was pretty good looking, but he wasn’t my type—it seemed I was more into the broody fallen angel kind of guy), they were given an entire wing to themselves on the northern side of the building. Lilith, I couldn’t help but notice, had taken a room that was also in the northern wing. She showed the rest of us to the western wing where there were a total of six rooms with double beds and views of the coast in the distance.

That meant one room each. And well, I wasn’t going to complain, but…

“You look disappointed,” Sam said as he leaned against the dresser while I unpacked my small rucksack I’d brought from Rhode Island. A slow smile spread across his face. “You wanted us to share.”

My face flamed, and my fingers fumbled with my shoes. Sam and I were…well, I didn’t know what we were. Lovers, kind of, but we’d never really put words to our feelings. We’d shared a bed for part of the boat journey, but the cabin had been mine and not ours. Sometimes, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was only about the sex.

“Why would I be disappointed?” I asked. “This room is beautiful, and we’re currently not getting attacked by water demons. Plus plus in my opinion.”

“It’s better if everyone has their own room,” he said as though I hadn’t said a thing. “Keeps things from getting too complicated.”

“Complicated?” I arched a brow. “Or too serious? Wouldn’t want anyone to think we’re more than just fellow warriors, now would we?”

Whoops. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud. For one, I didn’t think that Sam felt or thought that at all, but the words had popped out of my mouth as if from their own volition. Sam had made our “relationship” an open secret. He didn’t go around boasting about it, but he didn’t bother to hide it either. Everyone knew. They’d seen us go to bed together, and they’d seen us come out of my cabin together the next morning, hair mussed, cheeks glowing.

“Erela, I know how you feel about the others,” he said quietly. “And I know how they feel about you. We’re an Order, a unit. Those males are my brothers, even if not by blood. If things get too complicated, I worry that—”

I whirled toward him, hands fisting by my sides. “Are you actually saying what I think you’re saying? After everything that’s happened between us, you’re what? Breaking up with me?”

“I’m not breaking up with you, Erela,” he said quietly. “I’m just saying that we should keep things as they have been. I want you, desperately, but we shouldn’t take it further than that. You take this room, and I’ll take mine. And I’ll come to you sometimes, if you’d still like that from me.”

With a deep breath, I shoved the rest of my packed clothes into the dresser and slammed the door shut. I turned my back on him, blinking back the burning tears that threatened to spill down my face. I didn’t know why I was getting so upset. Nothing had actually changed between us. He was only confirming that things should remain as they had been. But I had opened my heart to Sam, and I had thought that he’d opened his to me. Hell, he hadn’t even spoken aloud for years until I came into his life. Surely that had to count for something.

But apparently it didn’t. All he wanted from me was a physical bond and nothing more.

“Yeah, okay, Sam,” I said, choking out my words. “You should probably go settle into your room.”