“Thanks, Keigan,” I murmured.
“Be careful, Danica.”
“You know it.”
I walked out the door. Rose was hunched against the wall as if she was attempting to blend into it. The male bounty hunter was nowhere to be seen.
Samael followed me out, turning sideways through the narrow doorway. His wings couldn’t fit, even tucked in tight. I’d had dirty, dirty dreams about him and his wings.
Albert and Keigan followed us out, and Samael turned his head, glancing over his shoulder.
“Attempt to put Naud chains on Danica again, and I’ll burn this place to the ground.”
His gaze lingered on Rose, and surprisingly, she didn’t piss her pants. She did turn white, her mouth a thin line as she nodded.
“Oh, and Albert… don’t think I’ve forgotten that the witches who attempted to kill me were using those filthy chains. When I find out exactly how they got their hands on them, your name better not come up.”
Albert said nothing, simply watched as Samael turned toward the elevator.
I ground my teeth but kept walking. The elevator certainly wasn’t made for Samael’s wingspan. He pulled me into him and turned, arranging his invisible wings. The elevator doors slid closed, and my eyes met Albert’s. I knew what it looked like. He couldn’t see the fact that there was nowhere else for me to stand, feather’s brushing every inch of my body and likely pressed against all three of the elevator walls.
No, it just looked like I was Samael’s toy.
“I can’t believe you just did that.”
“Believe it, witchling.”
My hands fisted. “You made things a hundred times worse. I was handling it, Samael, and now you made them think I’m one of your subjects.”
“Youareone of my subjects.”
I snarled at that, managing to turn within his arms and his gaze dropped to my lips. “There’s that mouth I can’t stop thinking about.” His voice was low, intimate, and my breath caught in my throat.
“Don’t play with me, Samael.”
“Oh, little witch. I would like nothing more than to play with you. Unfortunately, you insist on running from me.”
“And I always will,” I vowed. He merely smiled.
The elevator doors opened to the lobby. Thankfully, at this time of the night, it was almost empty. I was so furious I was shaking. “You undermined me.”
Samael’s gaze turned cold, but he didn’t say a word until we were out of the lobby and on the sidewalk.
“I helped you. You may thank me now.”
“The underworld will freeze over before I thank you for messing with my life.”
“It’s not as hot there as most people think,” he said. “I felt the wards on your apartment. You’ve been practicing.”
“Don’t change the subject. Wait, when were you at my apartment?” I wouldn’t thank him for making me attend those ward lessons. I would not.
The gleam in his eyes told me he knew I was appreciative despite my annoyance at him. I gave him squinty eyes.
Samael raised one eyebrow. “You have much more to learn. Your power is unique but potent. If you truly want to be able to defend yourself, you need to train.”
I swallowed. While I was grateful for the help he’d given me, our ‘sessions’ had been torture. Not only was Samael a strict, merciless teacher, but I’d been forced to sit with him for hours.
Wards weren’t the only things I’d learned during those hours. I’d learned that the tiny crease that appeared between his brows when he was concentrating… it made my stomach flutter.
