I was sleeping soundly.

  And then I felt it—

  someone’s fingers were stroking my hair again. Slowly. Carefully. Scratching, as if they knew exactly where.

  It felt… nice.

  I didn’t wake up right away. I even purred softly, without realizing it.

  Then someone laughed quietly.

  I opened my eyes.

  Her again.

  I sat up sharply and pushed her hand away.

  “Hey!”

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  She just smirked.

  “When you sleep,” she said, “you’re so defenseless and… cute.”

  I frowned.

  “Can’t you not be like this all the time?”

  “No,” I muttered.

  She shrugged.

  “Alright. You’re awake—time to go.”

  I glanced toward the entrance.

  Outside, it was still dark.

  “Are you kidding me?” I asked. “The sun isn’t even up.”

  “Remember,” she said calmly. “The barge. The miners. Escort duty.”

  I groaned, rolled onto my side, and closed my eyes again.

  “I’m lazy.”

  And the next second—

  I was lifted.

  “HEY!” I protested. “Put me down!”

  She simply picked me up and carried me like a small child.

  “Put me down!” I tried to wriggle free. “I’m heavy, you know!”

  “No,” she replied. “Stubborn—yes.”

  At that moment, Noxus walked up.

  “ZENHALD,” he declared indignantly.

  “As my master, you are obligated to maintain my status.

  And right now you’re being carried like a sack of potatoes.”

  “See?” I said. “Even the horse is offended.”

  “A smart horse,” she nodded, and set me down right in front of Noxus.

  Then she put me into the saddle.

  I immediately sprawled out on Noxus’s back and closed my eyes again.

  “I’m not awake,” I muttered. “This is all a dream.”

  Noxus sighed and started moving.

  And through the haze of sleep, I felt it again—

  fingers in my hair.

  I didn’t open my eyes.

  Because sometimes,

  even demons

  need someone to simply

  not wake them too abruptly.