“What?” Nia reared back, wide-eyed.
Saia scrunched her nose. “Riley—that’s not his true name—he’s the son and heir of the Sin of Wrath. Yes,thatWrath, and he has already inherited some of his sire’s ability.”
“Wow. I knew he was dangerous, but that? No wonder the demons here give him a wide berth. Man…” Nia shook her head. “Angels and demons exist, sure. Why not Sins, too?”
“Yep,” Saia added with a grin. “And the demons here tend to behave.” She sipped more of her liquor. “So, the reception went well?”
At the abrupt switch in conversation, Nia’s nerves tightened again. She shrugged and set her glass down. “I wouldn’t know. I didn’t go.”
“Understandable,” Saia murmured. “But everything’s settled with the will reading, right?”
Nia inhaled deeply. God, she didn’t want to talk about that. Didn’t want to see the pity in her best friend’s eyes. “Let’s just say my grandmother’s dislike of me is now official.”
“Nooo.” Saia’s eyes rounded like saucers. “She didn’t…”
“And she took the time to leave me a letter confirming it.”
“I don’t understand her aversion to you. I mean, there are people born with supernatural abilities, like my brothers. Youdon’t hate them for that. Being able to see a demon’s true self is an added layer of protection, to steer clear of them. That’s a bonus, surely?”
“Oh, that one’s easy to explain,” Nia said flippantly, rubbing the dull ache in her temples with her fingertips. “It’s nothing to do with my abilities. Okay, maybe some. The main thing is, I’m not of her blood. And I’m cursed by darkness to see the vilest evil out there.” Her droll tone fell flat. “I’m the adopted black plague.”
“What?” Saia blinked, her jaw nearly hitting her chest. “You’re adopted?”
“Yeah.” Nia fished out the two olives from her martini and ate them. Then she gulped down the last measly drop of liquor. “The only reason she tolerated me was to respect my father’s last wishes, and there you have it.” She set her glass down. “You know what? I’m happy?—”
“Hey, beautiful.” Zayn put an arm around her in a quick hug. “Good, you made it.”
Ditching the funeral black for jeans, a navy t-shirt, and a black leather jacket, her friend was a welcome sight for her hurting soul.
“I’m surprised you don’t have some model or two on your arm,” Nia drawled.
Saia snorted. “You mean bimbos.”
“Ouch, that hurts.” He raked back his overgrown hair. “Are you two ganging up on me again?” His eyes gleamed with laughter. He glanced at the blonde in a slinky black dress further down the counter, eyeballing him, and smirked.
Yep, her friend was a born flirt, and females were drawn to him like moths to flame. However, he didn’t encourage the blonde.
“So, where’s the angel?” he asked. “Thought he glued himself to your side.”
“Hardly.” She laughed. “He’s doing recon, probably searching for Kas.”
“That dumbass will be history soon. C’mon.” He grabbed her hand. “Instead of sitting here and getting drunk, let’s dance.”
“Zayn, I don’t think?—”
“Stop with the thinking. The day’s been rough. I need cheering.”
Nia huffed, touched at how he was trying to cheer her up. Of all Saia’s brothers, she was closest to Zayn. He knew all about her rocky relationship with her grandmother.
She removed her coat, wishing now she’d changed out of her dreary black pantsuit.
“Give me that,” Saia said, grabbing her coat. “I’ll leave it in the office. Go, dance. Have fun.”
Nia blew out a deep breath. “Okay.”
Holding her hand, Zayn headed for the makeshift floor. As the slow number continued, he drew her into his arms. “Are you all right?”
“As okay as I can be.”
