I know we aren’t supposed to use our magic, especially a lot of it, because we risk drawing hellbeasts straight to us, but she was being a reckless brat.
“Joseline, where are you going?”
She ignores me, humming a happy little tune to herself as she goes, her hips swinging back and forth with every step.
“You can’t just roam the city streets, you know?” I narrow my eyes on her.
“Who says?” she taunts over her shoulder.
“Me,” I growl, losing the last bit of my resolve to stay calm. I disappear in a whirl of black smoke and reappear right in front of her so she bumpsinto my chest. “I say. You’re being reckless, and I’m supposed to be keeping you safe. That’s easier to do when you aren’t running around the city in the middle of the night.”
She jumps, her eyes flying wide as she stares up at me. A prickle of fearful energy bleeds from her, along with something else. Excitement? Arousal?
A growl rolls in my chest, much easier to hear now that we’re not being drowned by the music inside the club.
“I need you to focus,” I say, keeping my voice low. I reach up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “You went out, you had your fun, but now it’s time to head back. It’s not safe for you or me to be out wandering the streets this late.”
“Oh, so now the big bad wolf is afraid of the dark,” she says mockingly, poking me in the chest. “Don’t worry, big boy, I’ll protect you.”
She moves to go around me, but I grab her by the waist and settle her in front of me, leveling her with a glare.
“I am darkness. And what did I say about my buttons, sweetheart?” My voice is husky when it comes out, already thinking about the ways I want to punish her for that fucking bratty mouth. “You’re playing with fire.”
She fists the front of my shirt, tugging until the fabric is taut, and heat sinks straight to my cock. I said she’s playing with fire, but fuck this woman has enough fire in her to scorch me alive.
“I’ve never been afraid of getting burned,” she says, drawing her words out low and slow. “Besides, I still say you’re all bark and no bite.”
I grab her by the throat, gentle but firm enough to make a point, forcing her to look me in the eyes. Her breath falters, her plush lips parting a little, as she stares up at me. “Keep on, and I’ll sink my teeth into you, human. You just?—”
My words die, and I freeze. A shift in the energy around us rips me out of the moment, tugging at my intuition.
Something is wrong.
“Tobias?” Joseline whispers, fear flickering over her expression.
I let her go and take a step back, focusing on the abnormal energy rippling through the air. Whatever it is, it’s strong.
And it’s on the move.
“Tobias,” she whispers my name again, but I barely hear it, too focused on the shifting feeling, trying to pin it down. Is it heading toward us? Running away?
A hand on my arm drags me out of my thoughts, and I look at Joseline.
“Whatever it is, fucking tell me,” she demands under her breath. “Is it about Niki? Did something happen?”
“I don’t have fucking telepathy, sweetheart, I have no idea,” I grind out, losing my patience. “But I can’t figure out what’s wrong if you don’t be quiet for five minutes.”
An indignant look crosses her face, and she pushes my arm away haughtily. Fine. I don’t have time to worry about her attitude right now.
I turn my back on her, once again reaching out with my magic, testing the area, checking for hints of dark magic. It’s not an exact science—I can’t pinpoint thedarkness, especially from this far away, but there’s something there.
Shit. This isn’t good.
I can’t be certain, but if I was a gambler, my money would be on a hellbeast. It’s the only thing that makes sense. We’ve had good luck for the last several weeks without running into one, but I did just teleport to keep Joseline from running away.
Maybe it sensed my magic.
Maybe our luck has finally run out.
