“Do you know the…person?” Evie asked as I pulled away, wiping at my face.
“They’re…burned. No recognizable features. Whoever killed them must have done it elsewhere and then dumped the body in my car. The question is…why?”
“This is Daimonion,” Vas said.
We all stared at him. A muscle in his cheek twitched. “He showed up at Hannah’s this morning. She was a distraction—a way to get me to leave you alone so he could plant the body.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Nero swore he didn’t mess up your bar, and I didn’t believe him. But it was staged to look like a human did it. Daimonion’s playing with me, taunting me that he can get this close to you.” Vas stared at me, his gaze completely feral.
Uh-oh. I’d seen that expression on Samael’s face when he looked at Danica. The reasonable demon I knew was gone.
I scowled at him, still pissed that he’d gone to Hannah’s without me. He ran one hand over my braid, a silent apology.
“He could’ve come for me then, but he didn’t. Why?”
“You were tucked up safe and sound in your apartment, which the underqueen helped you ward.” He gave me a look that clearly told me if he had his way, I’d be spending the rest of my time in that apartment, until Daimonion was caught. I gave him a sweet smile back, and his frown deepened. Scowly demon.
Evie’s face was pale. “We’re lucky he couldn’t get through your ward.”
“I would’ve known if he tried.”
Vas played with the end of my braid some more as we watched Nelson and the other cops. “Daimonion likely noticed the ward the day he destroyed your bar. Otherwise, he would’ve taken out your apartment too. He wants me to know he could have killed you. That it’s only a matter of time before you’re dead.” He narrowed his eyes. “From now on, you don’t go anywhere without me.”
I sighed. “Vas.”
He slowly shook his head. “Nowhere, Mere. I’d meant to talk to you this morning. Yesterday, when I left you at the bar, it was because Daimonion attacked the tower, killing one of our people. I talked to Bael, and he said he needed to do some research.” He took a deep breath. “He messaged me a few minutes ago to say his theories have been confirmed. My demon fire is…unusual. It seems it’s not only eating away at Daimonion’s body, but it’s also damaging his brain.”
I was looking at Evie and Kyla, so I saw the shock in their eyes. I cleared my throat. “I’m guessing this is rare.”
“Yes,” Vas said. “I’m sorry, Mere. My powers are the reason he’s taking these risks, the reason he got so close to you.”
“Don’t be stupid, Vas,” I growled, and Evie grinned at me.
“Mere’s right. It’s only a matter of time now before you guys catch him.”
“So, he’s crazy.” Kyla frowned thoughtfully. “He lost everything when Lucifer died, and Vas was the only person who has ever been able to hurt him. He could have gone to any of the realms and started a new life—”
“I would have found him,” Vas snarled.
Evie nodded. “Right, but he didn’t even try. Instead, he’s stalking Mere. He’s killing people you love, taking insane risks. I guess this is both a good and bad thing.”
“In what way?” I asked.
“A rational enemy is easier to predict but harder to catch. Daimonion’s insanity makes him harder to predict but easier to kill since he’s taking these stupid chances.”
Vas studied her for a long moment. “You’re going to be a force to be reckoned with one day, Evie Amana.”
I would not scowl. Idefinitelywould not feel even a hint of jealousy that Evie was such a badass.
Vas pulled me close, until his chest was pressed up against my back and his arms were wrapped around me.
Nelson approached, his eyes hard as he held up a driver’s license.
“Who is it?” I managed to get out.
“Warren Rhodes. Known for his professional dealings with the Wills brothers.”
