The unexpected slang caught her off guard. “I am.” She pulled out her own badge and held it up for his inspection.
There was now a tension in the air that was so thick it almost choked her.
His gaze returned to Luke and stayed there. “You’re not human.”
How did he know that?
Luke quirked a bemused grin. “Never said I was. If you want to run… I don’t mind chasing. Bigger the better, I always say. But you should know that it never goes well for those I catch up to. And I always catch them. The chase just pumps enough adrenaline in me that I like making it hurt.” The gravelly way he said that sent a chill down her spine.
As did the hopeful grin on his face as if Luke were savoring the thought of chasing Senechal.
Senechal considered those words before he stepped back and let them inside his immaculate home. The marble foyer was just jaw-dropping. Straight ahead was an alcove with a real suit of armor in it.
“Love what you’ve done with your mansion,” Sorcha said.
His answer was a flippant “humph.” Closing the door, he turned to face them. “I hate inviting evil into my home.”
“Not a vampire. I don’t have to be invited.” Luke inclined his head toward Sorcha. “Neither does the human.”
Those words didn’t amuse Mr. Villan at all. “Why are you here, officer?”
“Detectives,” Luke corrected. “We’re looking for creatures who like to mutilate college students and steal their souls.”
“So you thought, what? Rattle the local Wiccan? I’m not the only one, and last time I checked, my religion is protected under the First Amendment.”
Luke scoffed. “Definitely not impinging on your right to practice whatever religion you choose. But not even the First Amendment allows human sacrifice. The state gets a little miffed when covens eat people.”
“Are you trying to piss me off?” He stepped forward to physically intimidate Luke.
Luke laughed at his efforts. “You might want to take a step back, little man. I’m not afraid of you and given who my parents are, you don’t want to glare at me. If they take offense—and they might—you’re going to have a really, really bad day. But I’ll be amused. Nothing like the smell of blood in the morning to make me deliriously happy.”
Out of nowhere, Helly appeared immediately beside Luke. Her eyes were solid black, and she sported a pair of fangs along with a set of curled horns that were above her ears. “You need me, dominus? Who do you want me to kill?”
Chapter
Eight
Sorcha stared at the “imp” that currently appeared more demonic than she’d ever imagined. Just what have I gotten myself into?
While Helly was still tiny, she was terrifying in this form. Enough so that Sorcha stepped back and made room in case she needed to run screaming from the mansion.
Luke gently put his hand on Helly’s shoulder to keep her in place. “We’re good, Imp. No need for bloodletting…quite yet.”
Senechal went pale instantly at the sight of Helly. “You have your own imp?”
“I do.”
He went down on his knees. “Forgive me, dominus. I didn’t realize who you were.”
Sorcha arched a brow at that.
Luke passed an amused smirk toward her. “He still doesn’t really know who I am. But he’s getting there.” With a heavy sigh, he turned back to Senechal. “Get up. I’m not my father. And you’re not Luciferian or a Satanist. Groveling doesn’t appeal to me, and while Dad likes it, it doesn’t cause him to suddenly discover mercy. It just amuses him before he rips out your spine and beats you with it.”
Senechal rose to tower over them again. “I don’t know anyone who would take a soul. It’s not particularly helpful to any Malum I know. We can’t use it for a spell, and my coven’s charter forbids such acts. I don’t know any Malum who would dare such a sacrilege.”
“Could you use it to barter with?”
Both of them turned to stare at Sorcha for her question. “Well, could you?” she asked again.
