After throwing the bag over my shoulder, I hovered by the door, listening for a chance to escape. When the demons drifted into the kitchen for another drink, I took my chance. Breath held in my throat, feet as soft as I could manage, I whispered out his bedroom, into the corridor, and out of his life forever.
25
The summer sunshine brought the crowds out to the Brooklyn Bridge. Elbows rammed into my side. Screaming children raced by. It was an unwanted cacophony of sights and sounds, but I hadn’t known where else to go or what to do.
My scent was now a massive fucking problem. Az’s words echoed in my mind. He’d never forget my scent. It was imprinted on his mind. And I was pretty sure that included the new werewolf glamor. As long as I stayed the same, one of them would find me.
“Well, well, well.” River strode up to where I leaned against the bridge, her hands laced behind her back. Even with her neon pink hair and glittering skin, she didn’t stand out on a New York day like this. “When I got the call, I could hardly believe it. Mia McNally, needing a favor?Again?”
I’d gotten the fae’s number off Serena after making up a story about finding a lost fae in the streets. It had pained me not to tell her what I was really doing, but I couldn’t risk her calling Az to try and stop me from leaving.
My heart felt hollow as I gave River a weak smile. There were so many goodbyes, and I hadn’t had a chance to say any of them. “Turns out my life is pretty complicated.”
She sized me up, nodding. “That can happen when you run with the likes of Asmodeus.”
“It’s not Az’s fault,” I said sharply. Sighing, I rolled my eyes at myself. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you. It’s been a rough few days.”
“I heard. Lucifer cornered you at the Waverley Inn and finally got the truth out of you.” She joined me along the edge of the bridge, leaning against the railing. “It’s all over the news, you know. Your little flight in front of all those humans. They’re trying to make sense of it. Thankfully, none of them have gotten close to the truth.”
I shrugged. “I honestly couldn’t care less at this point. I’m just trying to survive.”
“Your red hair is a key feature.” She nodded at the loose strands around my shoulders. “It’s a unique shade. You won’t be able to hide for long if you keep it like that.”
I glanced down, frowning. My plan didn’t cover the hair issue. I’d called River here to ask for another scent glamor. Nothing more. But she was right. Lucifer had said as much. My facial features might not stand out in a smaller town, but my hair would. It could end up being the very thing to lead Az—or Lucifer—straight to my door.
“So, I’ve got to change the hair,” I finally replied. “Anything else?”
“You have a cute little nose.” Smiling, she had the audacity to bop it.
“Um, excuse me?” I pulled back, arching my brows. “No bopping.”
She shrugged. “It’s cute.”
“Cute enough to identify me as me, even with the other changes?”
“Eh.” She cocked her head. “Probably not.”
I took a deep breath and nodded. Unease flickered in my belly, and I didn’t know why I was so nervous. It was just a little glamor, nothing more. But it felt like the final, brutal nail in the coffin of my future. New York was my home, and I had to leave it. Wherever I went, I knew I’d never find another place quite like it. Maybe I’d be able to settle in somewhere and find contentment. But I’d never feel alive the way I had here.
As if the entire world had opened up before me.
Part of that was Az. His Legion. That club.
Even if I somehow made it back here one day, I’d never be able to go back toInfernal.
“So, what it’ll be then, Mia McNally?” River asked, her lilting voice cutting through my thoughts.
Sighing, I turned her way. “Scent and hair.”
“What kind of scent?” she asked as she placed a warm hand on my collarbone, just as she had the last time.
“A demon might be fun,” I said with a sad smile. “Or hell, even a vampire. But it would probably just get me into trouble. Let’s go with human.”
“Human?” She chuckled. “Alright. I’m guessing you don’t want it to be anything like the other one.”
“Yeah, that would kind of defeat the entire purpose of hiding myself.”
“I have to check...” She leaned in close and whispered into my ear. “I won’t do this for free.”
