Those sun-bright eyes scaldedher.
Blowing out an unsteady breath, she stepped around him, out from the shadows, and headed toward Club Anarchy. The heels of her blood-red stilettos clicked on the asphalt, and the slightly flared hemline of her dress fluttered around her thighs. She smoothed her cold, damp hands down her hips when the warm, woodsy smell of sandalwood with a hint of cherry tobacco surrounded her. And she sighed inrelief.
In his invisible form, his presence felt like a soft caress against her skin, as if he’d put his arm around her shoulder. He probablyhad.
Shae shivered, not because of the chill in the air, but because a tingle of desire flowed through her. Yes, he could do that with simply a touch, a look, and now, his concealedpresence.
Aware that Dagan would get her inside the club easily, she glided past the line of people waiting on the sidewalk, her mind back on the plan. She’d called Harvey to lay out the strategy that morning. He hadn’t been happy either, but had agreed to the plan as long as she had backup inplace.
These weren’t the local demons she was going up against, but ones from the Dark Realm. So having heavy Guardian artillery close by wasgood.
As she approached the busy entrance, the bouncer gave her the once-over, his gaze lingering on her chest. Then he started to choke, coughing violently, gasping for breath. Red in the face, the bouncer waved herinside.
Darn it, Dagan, she sighed through their mind-link.
Then it’s best they keep their eyes and thoughts to themselves,his cool tone flickered through her mind.Or they’ll lose far more thanlimbs.
Really?You’ll give us away with that possessivedisplay.
At his silence, she rolled her eyes and pushed open the heavy door into the club. Strobe lights whizzed around, almost blinding her. Heavy Goth rock ricocheted off the walls as she headed down the stairs, past the crowded dance floor, and made for thebar.
Stick to the plan,Dagan reminded her again.Don’t question him about your mother, just get himoutside.
Iknow.
His presence faded, leaving her a little wary. A survey of the packed counter and she found the demon who matched Harvey’s description; tall, olive skin, built like a swimmer. He’d pulled his dark brown hair into a ponytail, revealing the telltale star tattoo on his neck that rose to his jaw. He appeared young, harmless, like some college boy. But she knewbetter.
With a sway of her hips, Shae headed for the bar. As she neared Luka, a guy a few seats down from him got up and left. Luka glanced herway.
Amazing how fast her psychic vibe drew those of his ilk despite so many good-looking girls around. None seemed to care about her scarred face, unlike humanmen.
She claimed the seat and ordered her margarita, keeping Luka in her peripheral view. He spoke to two otherdemons.
As the bartender set her drink in front of her, a voice said from behind her. “That’s onme.”
The bartender nodded. A hint of the demon’s power brushed against Shae’s senses. The tiny hairs on her arms rose. He was testing the strength of her abilities. Thank God, she’d learned how to shield, but she let a little of her power stream out to keep himinterested.
She cut him a cool look. “I can pay for my own drink,thanks.”
And judging by his confident swagger, he had no idea that she knew who or what he was, but her refusal certainly piqued his interest. “Yes you can, however, this way I get to talk to a prettygirl.”
Smooth. He probably had women falling over themselves when he worked the charm. She needed to get him outside, but she’d ruined that with playing hard to get—damn! It was just habit and wariness. If Dagan knew, he’d bepissed.
Get him out of the club, now!Dagan’s terse telepathic message held a coldbite.
Crap.Can’t. Need a few moreminutes.
She drank more of her liquor. The guy seated next to her suddenly rose and left. Luka had to be using mind control. Before he tried that shit on her, thinking fast, she gulped down the rest of her drink. “Wow, neededthat.”
“Tough day?” he enquired politely as if he weren’t an evil asshole who hurtwomen.
Shae scrunched her nose and said with a rueful smile, “The worst.” Pretending to be tipsier than she actually was, she angled her head at him. “What’s yourname?”
A satisfied smile stretched his mouth. “I’m Luka.” He clicked his fingers, nodded, and another margarita appeared. “And youare?”
She picked up the frosty glass and slowly licked the salty rim. “Shae.”
“Ah, beauteous, just like you.” Dark, lust-filled eyes barely lingered on her damaged cheek but stayed on her mouth for a bit before they roamed down her body, undressing her in their descent. “Want to talk about this badday?”
