The night sky lit up with a purple-gold light and I gasped at its beauty. It shimmered and danced, trapping us inside, protecting us from the demons.
My hands shook with relief. Help was here. The lesser demons ran into the ward, screaming in frustration as their prey was stolen from them. I crouched over Agaliarept, baring my teeth.
If he could set this ward, the least I could do was keep his body safe while it attempted to heal.
It was embarrassing to admit, considering how much more powerful the high demons were than me. But if I wanted to get out of here and back to work, I needed to play by Samael’s rules.
“Protectiveness,” I sighed. “And rage. I thought Agaliarept set the ward and I just wanted us both to stay alive until help arrived.”
I’d known Samael would come, I realized. I didn’t know anything about him, other than he was a scary son of a bitch, but I’d somehow known that if we could just stay alive for long enough, he’d arrive and keep his second from bleeding out. I shoved that thought down deep where I could examine it later.
“Interesting,” Samael said again, and I fought to keep my eyes closed. “Since your magic is mostly instinctive, the best way to recreate that ward is for you to feel those same feelings. Take yourself back to that moment and imagine yourself there again. Feel the vibrations of fear in your body. Now imagine a shield against that fear.”
I tried. I must’ve looked constipated as I squeezed my eyes shut and attempted to raise the ward once more.
I attempted it over and over again, until Samael finally told me to open my eyes.
“It’s not working,” I said, as if he hadn’t been watching my futile attempts for the past hour. “Are you sure that ward was mine?”
The corner of one side of his mouth quirked up. He was completely unruffled, as if he had all the time in the world. I guess with his lifespan, he did. “Yes I’m sure, bounty hunter. You’re tired. You will return tomorrow afternoon for another lesson.”
I gaped at him. “Are you kidding me? How am I supposed to solve these murders and keep my real job if you’re stealing multiple hours out of my day?”
The demon stared at me and raised one eyebrow, as if asking whether I’d like to rephrase that question.
I got to my feet. “Screw you.”
He stood, and I cursed myself for the way my gaze clung to his body. The demon seemed deep in thought, and whatever he was thinking was unlikely to be good for me. I licked my lips nervously and his gaze turned predatory. He gave me a very slow, very male smile, and I froze.
“You have an attitude problem, little witch.”
I glowered at him, frustration coursing through every inch of my body. “Youhave an attitude problem.”
Unsurprisingly, he didn’t reply to that striking example of maturity. Instead, he simply studied me, waiting for me to fall in line.
I spun on my heel, striding toward the door.
“Enjoy my pillow.” His words sent a flush through my whole body, and I knew exactly how he wanted me toenjoyhis pillow.
“Eat shit, demon.” Ignoring the rumble of his laugh, I stalked out.
I should go home. I sure as hell needed the sleep. But after the way I’d just regressed to the maturity of a kindergartener in front of the demon, I needed a drink. I was ninety percent sure one of Samael’s demons was following me, but since I couldn’t see them, I ignored them.
I shoved my way through the crowd until I was pressed up against the bar. A succubus chose that moment to vacate the stool next to me, her long-lidded purple eyes focused on a group of light fae males who had just walked in. I narrowed my eyes at her as I slid onto the empty stool and she ignored me, squaring her shoulders, curling her red lips and flicking her long black hair over one shoulder. Her hips swayed enticingly as she walked toward the seelie.
Succubi weren’t exactly lesser demons, but they weren’t high demons either. Like many demons, they had enough power to travel through the portals without being summoned, but like incubi, they gained their power solely through sex.
I turned away and waited for Mere as she chatted with one of her regulars down the other end of the bar.
Another bartender had arrived and was tying an apron around her slim waist. Either human or witch, she was too far away for me to tell.
“I see you hired some more help,” I said as Meredith approached, and she smiled. “I did. I can finally afford it, although it’s still tight. If I’d known how bad my dad had screwed up the books for this bar, I would’ve let the creditors take it,” she said and I grinned at her.
“Sure you would’ve.” Anyone who wanted to take this bar from Mere would have to pry the deed out of her cold, dead hands.
She winked at me and poured a vodka soda, handing it to me. “You look like you need this.”
“You have no idea.”
