There were two problems with this scenario, however. First, I’d definitely have to give a statement. This serial killer thing was huge news, and I would get wrapped up in the whole thing. It would turn into a circus, and my past would get dragged into it. I’d run from that party, too.
Second, I definitely didn’t think it was legal for people to carry real-ass swords around Manhattan. As much as I hated the guy, Asmodeus had come to my rescue, and I didn’t want to see him locked up because of it.
Could demons escape prison?
While I was distracted by the sirens, the attacker took the opportunity to bolt. One moment he was there, the next he was gone. It was almost like he’d literally vanished into thin air.
My demon let out a growl of rage.
That left me and Az alone in the alley with a sword and zero killers. This would definitely look way worse than it had before. Especially since there’d been two murders nearby already.
“We need to get out of here,” I said at the same moment he did.
He stopped short, arching his brow. “Why doyouwant to run from the cops?”
I pressed my lips together. “It doesn’t matter. You’re holding a sword. Unless you want to get arrested for what I’m definitely sure is illegal carryandbecome a murder suspect, then we need to get out of here now.”
He nodded and strode across the alley, stopping when he was nothing more than an inch away from me. Once again, my back pressed against the wall, but this time, the fear was replaced by something else. Something I didn’t understand.
And it wasn’t entirely welcome. This guy annoyed the shit out of me.
Still, I couldn’t help but notice the flecks of ice in his eyes. The shadows that curled around his jaw. The power that rippled off of him, and the strength in the way he moved. The sword helped.
I swallowed hard. “Thank you for not letting me die in a grungy back alley in Hell’s Kitchen.”
His eyes flicked across my face. “Are you alright?”
I nodded.
“Good. I have to say, I’m impressed. It looks like there’s been a scuffle. Did you fight him off for a bit?”
“Um.” How could I explain what had happened? I was pretty sure it had something to do with the ring the angels had given me. If I told him about it, he’d know they’d been speaking to me. He might not be so willing to save my ass next time.
Next time.Fear tripped through my veins. The attacker had gotten away, and there was nothing stopping him from killing again. I’d pissed him off. He would bide his time and come for me again. I was certain of it.
Until this guy was caught, I needed Az on my side.
“He underestimated me,” I said. “I don’t think he’s used to people fighting back.”
“Hmm.”
Thankfully, he didn’t pry further than that. He took my hand and led me through the alleyways, away from the sirens. When we reached a single black door, he pushed it open to reveal the ground floor of his club. Somehow, we’d ended up here once again.
I glanced up at him with raised brows. His jaw was set firm, and his eyes had grown cold. “What are we doing here?”
“I need to tell the others what happened tonight. We lost someone.” His shoes clicked against the slick floor as we strode down the dimly-lit hallway. Music bounced against the walls, and a distant shriek of laughter echoed toward us. The club had been untouched by this crazy night, but it sounded like it wouldn’t be for long.
Az led the way into the small room where his bouncers sat playing cards around the folding table. There were only three of them tonight. Valac, Caim, and a third whose name I didn’t know. His dark hair fell into silver eyes, and a scar ran down the length of his arm. The three of them spun on their chairs as we entered the room.
“Ah.” Caim grinned. “Mia. You’re back. I was afraid we’d scared you off. This place can be a little intense for humaaa….humanitarians. Not that you’re necessarily a humanitarian. You just seem like a nice girl, so maybe you would be one. Shit.”
“No need,” Az said with a tense smile in my direction. “Mia knows about supernaturals. You can drop the act now.”
Caim’s eyebrows winged upward. “Well, this certainly took a turn. I didn’t think you were going to tell her.”
“I didn’t tell her.” He sighed and dropped into one of the open chairs around the table. “She grew up next door to a werewolf.”
“Ah.” Valac nodded as if that made all the sense in the world.
