CHAPTER 46
VALEN
A few weeks later,I drop Ava off at work and head over to Luna’s. I’ve been avoiding Luna’s place and making Zavier do blood runs for me so that I don’t have to see the demon.
But it’s time for me to put on my big boy pants—as Ava likes to say—and face him.
After all, he’s more than likely not the demon who killed my sister.
The chime dings merrily as I step inside the café. Luna’s behind the counter, making some sort of drink, so she doesn’t notice me at first. She passes the drink off to a customer and winces, then hastily jumps back when I assume she takes a step too far. I look around, though, and don’t see the demon.
“Hey,” Luna greets when she spots me. “Haven’t seen you in a few weeks.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” I rub the back of my head. “I’ve been avoiding…”
“Levi? Yeah, wish I could do the same.” I hear a snicker that must come from the demon himself. “Do you need a drink?”
I shake my head. “Uh … no. I wanted to talk to him. Where is he exactly?”
A hand shoots up from beneath the counter. “Right here.” He waves his tattooed hand.
“He’s under the bar?” I ask Luna.
“Where the hell else am I supposed to stash a demon? I’m not going to piggyback him all day,” she grumbles. She opens the hinged part of the counter and gestures for me to come back. “Have at it.”
I come around to the back of the counter, and sure enough, the demon is sitting on the floor, tucked up under the counter.
He waves. “Howdy.”
With a sigh, I crouch down across from him.
“What?” He rolls his eyes. “Too scared to sit beside a demon?”
“Please, I’ve faced worse than you in battle,” I grumble, settling down. “I refuse to make skin contact in fear of necrosis.” He scoffs in return.
The demon watches me with acute golden eyes. To most I’m sure they’re intimidating. “Spit out whatever it is you have to say. You wouldn’t have come here without a good reason, Valentine.”
Suddenly, Luna squats down and eyes both of us. “No physical altercations under the bar. I know it’s tempting, Valen, but please refrain while in my place of business,” she hisses before popping back up.
“Spicy, isn’t she?” He licks his lips, and I feel my lip wrinkle in disgust.
“I do not like you,” I say with finality.
The demonic spawn snorts. “Should I clap for that revelation? I fucking know.”
My fist clenches with the urge to punch him in his stupid face. Violence isn’t strong in me, even as a warrior in the past, I didn’t crave it like some of the others, but in this moment, I’m feeling the need to spill some blood.
“Not only are you crude, but you’re tasteless in your vernacular.” He rolls his eyes at my statement. “A demon killed my sister, so excuse me if I don’t take much liking to your kind.”
Golden orbs snap to mine and flare slightly. “Is that what you think?” A smile that’s all sin and immorality stretches across his face.
I sit up. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
The smug expression continues to grow, and he trails a hand up Luna’s leg where it steps closer into his space. She swats at him, and he blows a kiss up toward her.
“Leviathan,” I snap.
“Aw, you finally said my name. I’m touched. I guess we’ll work our way up to Levi as we get closer,” he croons, only serving to make me more furious. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out soon. I prefer to sit back and watch the drama unfold rather than rushing to the end. More fun that way, don’t you think?” He tilts his head and stretches out a long leg to brush his black boot against mine.
