“Sorry,” I blurted to Sagitta. “I shouldn’t have—”
“It’s all right.” He stood up, smoothed out his clothes. “We should sleep. It’s been a long day for both of us. I’ll take the couch.”
Dammit. I couldn’t read his tone. Was he mad?
Shame burned my skin. I got to my feet, avoiding eye contact. “Yeah. Um. I’ll grab you some blankets and a pillow.”
I rushed out of the bedroom without looking at him. As I snatched bedding from the linen closet, I couldn’t stop thinking about what a stupid asshole I’d been. Why did I kiss him? Why couldn’t I resist temptation for five seconds?
Because Faust tempted me. That had to be it.
“Oh, please.” He sounded cross now.
Sagitta was right. I needed this demon gone.
10
Sagitta
Despite my exhaustion,my body obeyed its strict schedule and woke before dawn.
I sat up and let my surroundings soak in. I was on Chase’s couch, in Chase’s apartment.
He kissed me last night.
My eyes snapped open, fully awake now. A rush of liquid heat shot up my spine. I brushed my fingers lightly across my lips, as if seeking the ghost of his touch there.
I chewed my lip to dispel the sensation. No lingering. No pining. It was in everyone’s best interest to ignore what happened last night. I was here for serious work, not to kiss my client.
But... maybe it was fine if he kissed me. That was his decision to make. In which case I had no involvement whatsoever.
Guilt prickled the back of my neck. Out of habit, I glanced over my shoulder. Nobody was there. The apartment was empty. It was just me, Chase, and the demonic entity. Here, I didn’t have to worry about Cygnet watching and judging my every move. But if this didn’t work, then I’d have to crawl back to him with my tail between my legs and beg for his help.
No way in hell was I doing that.
Quietly, I got up from the couch and folded up my bedding in a neat pile. Although the first hint of pale light floated in through the window, the sky was still deep purple.
Chase’s bedroom door was ajar. Did he leave it open on purpose?
Was it... an invitation?
My pulse skittered, but I suppressed my inappropriate excitement. I was not here to have fun or fool around.
I took a steady breath and slipped into Chase’s bedroom. His shape beneath the covers rose and fell in a slow rhythm that confirmed he was still asleep.
The room smelled potently of him. Pure, undiluted Chase. It was a scent that, aggravatingly, was starting to grow on me.
The aquarium filter’s gentle hum was the only sound in the room aside from Chase’s breathing. As I glanced at the tank, I remembered the fish’s poor origin story—and how Chase saving the betta caused an unfamiliar twist of pain in my chest.
He’s kind, charismatic, and funny.And stupidly hot. He could have any partner he wanted. So what does he have to gain by kissing me?
The thought popped into my head without warning. I clenched my hands into fists until the cloud of self-deprecation passed.
I padded quietly towards Chase’s bed until I stood over him. Sandy blond tufts of hair flew in every direction. His pink lips were parted from slow breaths.
He doesn’t know I’m standing here. But what about the demon?
I’d heard tales of lesser demons being vanquished by attacking while their host slept. The human wasn’t harmed in the process, but if the demon was weak, it couldn’t summon the strength to protect itself. But what about a demon as infamous as Faust?
