He glanced at me briefly. “You’re excused.” Then he turned back to Yexa. “I will send one of my teams to investigate this murder.”
The color faded from Yexa’s green face. But she lifted her chin. “Wi-with all due respect your majesty, I would prefer for Danica to help me.”
The king went very still. “And why is that?”
“Because she knew my father. And shecares.”
I gaped at that, but Yexa wasn’t apologizing. She hunched her shoulders, staring down at the ground. I fought the urge to step in front of her. To hide her from Finvarra. But the king merely nodded.
“As you wish.” His eyes met mine. “You will let me know if you need assistance.”
“She won’t,” Samael purred.
I glanced between both of the men. Their power was radiating from them in dangerous waves as they stared at each other. Next, they’d be whipping their dicks out to see who was bigger once and for all.
“I’m sorry again for your loss,” I murmured to Yexa. “I’ll be in touch.”
I turned and walked toward the elevator. Samael caught up to me within a few strides, and the elevator doors opened as soon as we were within a few feet. The tip of one of his wings brushed my face and my mind presented me with the memory of his wings out, dripping sparks as he killed the demon who tried to murder me a few weeks ago.
Samael looked at the elevator buttons and the floor to his penthouse lit up. I scowled at him. “I’m going home.”
“Without your dagger?”
“No.” He had me. I wouldn’t leave without Misty. Suggesting that he bring it to me would just make the demon laugh at me.
I followed him out of the elevator, heading toward my pile of clothes, which I bundled beneath my arm. I’d bring the dress back in the morning. For now, I just wanted to be alone.
“Stay with me.”
“I don’t think so.” I turned, taking the dagger Samael held out, still in its sheath. His hand caught mine.
“Why did you think you were unseelie?”
I tugged my arm, snarling when his hand tightened around mine. “My power doesn’t feel anything like yours. I remembered an unseelie guy who was one of my mom’s closest friends when I was a kid. And Selina told me my power was either dark fae or demon. It was a process of elimination.”
“I can see how you came to that conclusion.” He let my hand go and I stared him down.
“When did you know I was half demon?”
Silence. I laid Misty on the table next to us, just in case I was tempted to do something I’d regret. Of course, the dagger wasn’t made with rowan wood, so the demon would simply yank it out, and his wound would heal faster than I could heal a papercut.
“When you created the ward against the witches in that cemetery. Your witch magic was drained, and all that was left was the power of my people.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“At first, I believed you knew and thought to keep it from me. Then… I decided it would be better for you to learn of your heritage yourself.”
“Oh, you did, did you?” I cursed and turned away.
“You’re terrified of your power,” he growled. “You want nothing to do with me, or my people.”
“That’s not true.” I was friends with Vas.
Samael’s voice turned cold. “You truly want me to believe you wouldn’t have spiraled during that case if you found out what you were?”
I shook my head. “You have no idea what it’s like. I’ve hunted demons for years, Samael.”
He went still. “I’m aware, bounty hunter.”
