Accidentals. A Woman, Like Trouble, Never Comes Alone

He is a Demon—Demid Gradov. A random unpleasant incident, and the one I once ran from. But after many years, only he can help me.
***
“Take off those rags,” his voice cut into my bones. Cold. Commanding. You don’t refuse a voice like that. But I didn’t move. “Are you deaf?”
“Yes,” I answer in step with his tone, “I’m just trying to come up with the right set of words to tell you to go to the woods, where hedgehogs will undress you.”
I should shut up, but something inside me makes me snap back. And he’s already closing in—like an animal that would devour me without even noticing.
“Funny. You’re either too brave, or completely out of your mind, if you don’t understand who you’re talking to.”
“Maybe I just don’t like being told what to do.”
“Be careful,” he whispers almost tenderly, but in that whisper there’s more danger than in a shout. “Bravery has a price. And something tells me you might not be able to pay it. You’re the right girl, Sola, aren’t you?”