Jason took another step forward. “Where’s the heart?”
Baring his teeth, Alex said, “Somewhere safe.”
A black mist collected between them. Ryker. He held up the throbbing red jewel Selene knew was Nickelova’s heart. “Mmm hmm. Yes. It was in a safe, hidden under the floorboards in the bedroom.” The incubus grinned. “Finders keepers.” He glanced between Alex and Jason, his barbed tail sweeping the air behind him.
“No!” Alex cried and dove for the heart. Ryker gave him a patronizing wave before dissolving from within his arms, heart and all.
Jason used the distraction to his advantage. He plowed his shoulder into Alex with a righteous howl. They scuffled toward the window where Alex gripped Jason by the shoulders and yanked.
“Watch out!” Selene screamed, but it was too late. Glass shattered. The two wolves tumbled through the fifth story window.
Selene ran to the edge, searching the sidewalk below. Alex was gone, and Jason lay facedown on the concrete. “Oh no, Jason!”
29
Selene thundered down the steps loud enough to wake the dead. Luckily, if any of the undead in the apartments did wake, they didn’t bother emerging from their afternoon’s rest. She raced to Jason’s side, just as he was pushing himself up off the concrete.
“Are you hurt? Maybe you shouldn’t move.” Glancing up at the hole that was the fifth-floor window, she examined his body, searching for signs of injury.
“I’m okay.” Jason rolled over, pushing himself up on one elbow. “Alex used the amulet to break his fall before he blinked out of here. I only fell a couple of feet. It didn’t feel good but I’m not damaged.”
“Thank the goddess.” Selene pressed a hand to her chest.
“Silas isn’t going to be happy to learn Alex got away again.” Jason ran a hand through his hair in frustration.
“Silas needs to count his blessings. By the look of Alex’s aura, he’s going to be underground for a while. The man was sick. Very, very sick.”
“Yeah?”
“His entire being was surrounded by a dirty gray halo. He wasn’t completely healed. My guess is that he’ll be searching for a healer to finish what Nickelova started. He’s not strong enough to go far. Silas will find him. Plus, thanks to you, Alex no longer has Nickelova’s heart.”
Jason’s face fell. “Speaking of the heart…” He rose from the concrete and took her hand, pulling her in the direction of Lost Things. He called Ryker’s name as soon as he walked through the door.
“Back so soon?” The demon appeared between two piles of antique crap, looking quite pleased with himself.
“No thanks to you.”
“What part of our agreement led you to believe I’d help you kill Alex?”
Jason shook his head. “The heart…”
“Is mine. That was our agreement.”
“What do you plan to do with it?”
Ryker gave a knowing smile. “Save it for a rainy day. A treasure like that could be dangerous in the wrong hands. I intend to keep it in the right ones. Mine.” He flourished his fingers in the air.
Jason nodded. “I trust you’ll let me know if anything changes in that department. No matter what Alex or anyone else offers you, give me a chance to top it before you let it go.”
Ryker looked confused for a moment, then answered in a slow and steady tone. “The heart is not for sale, Mr. Flynn. I plan to keep it for my own purposes. But I want you to know, I cherish our relationship and won’t let it fall into the wrong hands. You can count on me to keep it safe. Now, can I interest you in a gift for your lovely new mate? Perhaps a candle that tells your future in its smoke?” He lifted a black wax taper from a pile beside him.
“No,” Selene said firmly, pulling Jason toward the door. “Thank you, Ryker, but we have to go.”
“Very well. A pleasure to see you again, Selene. Good luck with your new… situation.”
The door chimed as it closed behind them and they headed, hand in hand, back to the car.
“One more bite?”Jason held a forkful of Valentine’s chocolate cake in front of Selene’s lips, his hand cupped beneath her mouth to keep any crumbs from falling onto the sheets. After an afternoon of shopping, they’d stopped at their now-favorite restaurant, Valentine’s, for dinner to go.
