“I’m starving,” Lilith announced, just as the doors to the kitchen opened.
Samael sent me a sleepy, satisfied smile. “I hope you like Thai food.”
16
Danica
Ifroze, my hand hovering in the air as I reached for my water. Mouthwatering scents were wafting toward me as waiters dressed in white began to walk out of the kitchen.
I stared down at the Tom Yum as it was placed in front of me. Then I raised my gaze to the demon.
He was still looking entirely too pleased with himself as he watched me, and I waited until the other demons began talking before I narrowed my eyes at him.
“How?” I demanded.
“Monday is the night you usually order Thai,” he said. “It was a simple matter to find your usual order. Although, my chefs have cooked plenty of other dishes if you’d like to try something new.”
“Why?”
“Because everyone here prefers a variety of food.”
“Why did you choose Thai?” I gritted out.
“You had plans to enjoy your usual takeout, and my wishes took priority,” he said, and I bit my tongue. His wishes didn’t take priority forme.
I wasn’t sure if it was a gesture that said he recognized how goddamned irritating both him and his stupid gold mark were, or if it was one more way for him to prove he knew everything about my life.
Sweet or stalkery. Maybe a little of both.
Samael was studying my face and he seemed satisfied by whatever he saw there. I lifted my spoon and tried some Tom Yum. Incredible. Damn him.
The demon practically dripped with male arrogance, so I chose to ignore him, focusing on my food. He merely turned to Bael, entering a spirited debate about fae politics.
The demon sitting next to me flicked me a glance as he tried his own food. His skin was a deep brown, his eyes hooded. When he smiled, he flashed dimples. “So you’re the witch I’ve heard so much about.”
“That’s me. You’re Romyel, right?”
“You got it. Tell me, how have you found working for Samael?”
I raised one eyebrow. “Working for him?” I glanced down at my arm and the demon followed the direction of my gaze. “Is that what this is?”
He tilted his head. “What would you call it?”
Slavery. I’d call it slavery.
His eyes sharpened. “As someone who was enslaved for centuries, I can tell you that Samael offers you a freedom few other demons would.”
Did he just read my mind? I poked at my mental shields but they were holding strong.
“Your face, witch. You’ll need to learn to school your expressions if you’re going to spend time with immortals.”
If I had it my way, I wouldn’t be spending any further time with them after next week.
Romyel smiled. “Are we really so bad?” He waved his hand at the table, where most of the demons were cracking up at something Samael had said. Lilith threw her head back and roared with laughter.
Samael was different here, surrounded by the friends he most trusted. I still had no idea what I was doing at this dinner, considering these people had clearly known each other for centuries.
“No,” I smiled. “No, you’re not.” They were like a family, I realized, and something deep in my chest ached. Samael chose that moment to lean close.
