Face red and eyes bulging out of his head, the man releases me. Kaiden follows suit but levels him with a razor-sharp glare that could easily slash through skin and bone. “If you as much as blink wrongly at her, I’m going to pull out your organs one by one and make you watch as I feed them to hellhounds.”
“If you would have given me the chance to answer, I would have told you Adrianna gave me the tarot card. She also told me to come here and ask for Rhett at the bar. There’s no need for you to be so aggressive,” I say.
“She would never do something like that. She doesn’t like people.”
“Trust me, I know. She was my neighbor. Now, can we speak to Rhett?”
He rakes a hand through the mop of cinnamon hair. “I’m Rhett.” As if only now registering my words, his face pales. “What do you mean bywas?”
“Can we talk somewhere private?”
“Why would I want to talk to a hellseeker—assuming you are one—strapped to their teeth in weapons?” He points his chin at Kaiden. “And…whatever you are. I don’t trust you.”
“Yeah, well, we don’t trust you either. But we need your help.”
“For?”
“This is a matter we should discuss in private,” I repeat. This guy is starting to grate on my nerves.
“I don’t deal with strangers. Who are you?”
“I’m Iris Harper, and yes, I’m a hellseeker.” Well, not anymore, but I’m not going to start explaining the craziness that hasbecome my life to a complete stranger, so this will do. “And he’s Kaiden Black.”
“Why the fuck isn’t your hair blond?”
I lower my voice when I answer. “I’m a half-blood.” I’m not even sure this is true anymore since I don’t know what I am exactly, but I need him to trust us, and we already started on the wrong foot.
He whips his head at Kaiden so fast he must have gotten whiplash. “Wait, you said Kaiden Black? You’re the head of the Obsidian Conclave?”
Kaiden folds his arms in front of his chest, making his biceps bulge. “Yeah.”
Pure, unadulterated hatred bounces in the confines of Rhett’s irises. “Your organization has treated my kind like nothing more than blood sacks for centuries. Get the fuck out of my bar, or I’ll make you.” A menacing gust of air that seems to come out of nowhere ruffles my hair and sends the stack of napkins from the bar top to the floor.
“That was Mammon,” Kaiden fires back.
“I don’t give a flying fuck. You’re just another power-hungry demon in my eyes.”
“That’s not true,” I snap. “He not only dismantled the human and dark creature trafficking, but he’s doing everything he can to save the fae from the clutches of vampires who’ve started their own trafficking ring.”
“I could have some of the fae women we rescued talk to you, if that’s what it takes for you to help,” Kaiden says reluctantly.
“I’ve heard some stories…but I never believed them.” Rhett works his jaw as he ponders his decision. Then, he mutters, “Take a seat wherever you want. Everyone left anyway.”
When I glance over my shoulder, I realize he’s right. Aside from the blond, lanky bartender who looks as though he’s about to bolt any second now, the pub is empty.
“Alaric, lock the door before clearing the tables, please,” Rhett tells him.
Kaiden appears at my side to guide me to the closest table. He pulls my chair so I can sit, and I refuse to admit how I melt on the inside at the simple gesture. Unbuckling my sword strap, I lay it on the table before plopping down.
“What’s your poison?” Rhett asks, busying himself taking out some bottles from the mirrored shelf behind. He flicks his gaze to Kaiden. “Lemme guess, whiskey or rum, top shelf.” At Kaiden’s nod, he turns to me. “And you…vodka.”
A disgusted shudder passes through me. I haven’t had vodka since that night I got smashed, and Noah appeared at my door. God, it seems like that happened a lifetime ago. “A beer is fine.”
After a few minutes, Rhett strides toward us, bearing a tray with our drinks. He slides them in front of us before sitting down. He raises an eyebrow. “So, how come a hellseeker is working with a demon? Aren’t you supposed to hate each other’s guts?”
“We’re looking for an oracle, and Adrianna told me you know where we can find one,” I answer.
“And why didn’t she come too?”
