That’s going to be hard to explain to the landlord.
Celine, Luna, and I scramble to huddle together over in the corner.
I squint, trying to focus on what’s happening since they’re moving so quickly.
A familiar dark-haired vampire has the mystery man pinnedup against the wall, one hand fisted in his black shirt and his forearm locked against his throat threateningly. There’s a dangerous gleam in Valen’s eyes I’ve never seen before and his fangs have punctured his lip, causing blood to dribble down his chin. He looks downright feral.
“Who the fuck are you?” Valen roars in fury. “Why is a demon here?”
The blond man looks like he’senjoyingwhat’s happening. A taunting smirk pulls at his lips and his golden eyes crinkle at the edges in amusement. He doesn’t respond and simply stares back at Valen.
A sudden breeze next to us has Celine and me jumping. Luna doesn’t. Probably because she sensed our new arrival. Zavier pulls Celine into him, and a displeased sound rumbles in his chest. He runs his hands over her and sniffs her, probably searching for injuries.
“You are in a heap of trouble, Celine,” Zav warns and she eyes him warily but melts into his touch. He doesn’t pull out her first name unless it’s serious. Casting her eyes down, she frowns.
She’s shaking and I can tell what happened spooked her. It did me too, but I forgot about her residual trauma from being held captive. Guilt wiggles its way into my chest, because I put her in danger once more, even though I was trying to prevent it in the first place.
“Do not make me repeat myself,” Valen threatens, getting right in the man’s face. “Who are you and how did you get here, demon scum?”
Finally, the horned man rolls his eyes andshovesValen off. We all watch with wide eyes, Valen included, as the newcomer wipes dust off his shirt and rearranges his clothes. Smoothing a hand through his pale blond hair, he sighs like he’s bored and didn’t just move an ancient vampire like it was nothing.
“If it’ll get you to stop wrinkling my shirt, I’ll answer,” the man goads. The deep timbre of his voice would have me shivering if I wasn’t already obsessed with another supernatural in the room. He adjusts a few silver rings that line his fingers sporadically. “Leviathan, but I prefer to be called Levi. Demon scum is rather offensive, don’t you think? And don’t even consider”—he holds up a single tattooed finger—“laying a hand on me again. I let you get away with that because you took me by surprise. You won’t be so lucky next time.”
His gaze wanders lazily around the room until it lands on Luna. Golden orbs flare as he watches her with an intensity that crackles through the air like a physical thing. I swear his hair flashes pink, but that’s ridiculous. It must be the light or my mind playing tricks, because when I blink, it’s the same pale blond it was when he showed up.
“As for why I’m here, search no further than the pink-haired one.” His eyes slide over to me briefly, and I stiffen under their weight. It’s not long before he’s staring at Luna again and she’s looking back inquisitively.
“Do not look at her.” Valen seems to recover from his shock and stands in the man’s—Levi’s—sightline, cutting off his view of me.
Levitsks and rights the couch from where it fell forward onto the floor during their fight. Once back in working order, he perches on the corner cushion and crosses his long legs. It helps slightly to not have him towering over us, but his energy is still intense.
“What do you mean Ava’s the reason you’re here?” Valen asks, and I sense Zavier looking at me from the side.
“She summoned me.” Levi shrugs. He sets his elbow on the arm of the couch and rests his head on his fist. “It’s a good thing she did, because I’ve just found something very important.” Hecontinues to track Luna’s movements as she sits on one of the stools warily.
When Luna moves her hand to swipe a strand of hair away, I see shimmering air around her wrist.
The fuck?
“Ava,” Valen growls and I stiffen before ducking behind Luna.
Zavier and Celine watch me, and I shake my head at them not to give me away.
“Do you think I cannot see you?” Valen whispers and I see him peeking around Luna at me.
“Fuck,” I mutter and step out from behind her.
Looking over at Levi, I see he’s standing once more and advancing on us. Valen zips in front of him with a hand hovering above his chest. Before he can make contact, Levi gives him a withering glare.
Now that I’m paying attention, I can see Levi’s shirt is open almost down to his belly button, revealing a chiseled torso with tattoos littering it. They appear to be celestial in nature and in no particular pattern. Glancing at his arms where the sleeves are rolled up, I see tattoos stamped there and down to his hands as well. His body is a patchwork of ink.
“Stay where you are. Demons are the last creatures I trust,” Valen grates out and Levi smiles but holds his hands up in a peaceful gesture.
“Why did you call me your wife?” Luna glares at him from her seat, the novelty of the imposing figure wearing off.
Levi doesn’t respond but gives her some serious bedroom eyes.
“Okay, buster, calm the fuck down,” Zav interjects. He’s always been protective of Luna and I’m sure his instincts are flaring right now. “Leave Luna alone, and why do you have horns? You look like acoat rack.”
