But then the burn quieted a bit, letting the apple taste come through a little more clearly.
“Oh, wow. That’s better than I thought it would be.”
A deep, vibrating purr rolled from his chest before he could stop it.
My head tilted instinctively toward the sound, desire curling low in my spine, but I didn’t call him on it. Instead, I smiled. “Did I do it right?”
He finally lifted his glass, took a sip, and then looked at me like I’d just handed him something made by the gods themselves.
“It’s perfect,” he said softly. “Thank you.”
The way he said it made my chest ache.
I ducked my head in a bow, suddenly shy, and moved down the bar to wipe a spill that didn’t exist, feeling his gaze follow me every step of the way. The other alphas reclaimed my attention with smug grins and easy chatter, but I barely registered them.
Because I could still feel him.
And something… was off.
He was my mate, but underlying all that was something darker, something dangerous I was just now picking up on.
He introduced himself as Ronan, and tried to strike up a conversation with me, but his nervous ramblings were making me suspicious. This wasn’t a guy trying to get to know me. This was a guy probing me for weakness. For an opportunity.
I asked Ephraim to keep an eye on the bar—seraphim loved being in charge—and went into the back office, where Selene was on her computer.
“Has Morgana checked in yet?” I asked, slightly out of breath.
Selene raised an eyebrow, then her eyes narrowed. “She hasn’t,” she replied slowly, caution slipping through her tone. “You getting some bad vibes?”
Shit. Shit, shit, shit.
“There’s a new guy here. Young, alpha. There’s something about him…”
“Magik?”
“Demon.”
Her eyes darkened, and she stood, slamming her hands on her desk.
“Go,” she barked.
I stood straight at attention, the order compelling to move. I was halfway out the door before I stopped. “But…”
“Morgana spelled all my glassware. Anyone who walks into my bar with bad intentions and drinks from one ain’t goingnowhere. I’ll take care of Ember until the coast is clear, but you need to get out of here now!”
A large thud and the sound of breaking glass came from the bar.
“Go on, Briar! That asshole sold his soul to find you, and he will not quit until he does. Do you hear me? Every second counts!”
A demon deal… Someone would make a demon deal to find me?
Oh Hecara, what could Victor have possibly offered a demon to make him risk his life for me?
His… his mate.
And he didn’t even realize it.
What kind of cruel twist of fate was this?
