Page 45 of Hell’s Half Acre

Terrabeth. It’d been a long time since he’d last seen his half-sister. Part demon, part angel, she was anathema to both. No one trusted her.

How could they? She had ties to both and allegiance to none.

And because she was related to both, her beauty was unholy and unrivaled.

“Little brother…how nice of you to visit my corner of the universe.”

“Didn’t think you’d be here.” Even though she owned the tavern, she rarely spent any time in it.

She sucked her breath in sharply. “That’s hurtful.”

“As if you have any feelings.”

Terrabeth laughed. “True. Very true. So why are you here? I know you didn’t just stop by for a quick…” Her gaze went meaningfully to Zarael. “Drink.”

Lifting his empty glass, Luke motioned for the bartender to bring him another shot of Hellfire. “You’re right. I was hoping to speak to your better half.”

That caused one finely arched brow to shoot north. “Pardon?”

“Vedrana. Is she around?”

His sister scowled at him. “Not sure I want the two of you holed up together.”

“What are you afraid of?”

“Not much, but I don’t trust you.”

Luke returned her arch stare. “Or Vedrana?”

That question caught her off guard. “Are you trying to sow discord in my thoughts?”

Luke shook his head at her suspicion. “I don’t operate like that.” But he couldn’t blame her. That was exactly how the rest of their family worked. All they did was try to hurt everyone around them, whether it was deserved or not. If they could tear down a relationship, it was a banner day. “Her brother was murdered. I thought she’d like to know and it’s not something I wanted to phone in.”

Terrabeth gasped. “Lawson’s dead?”

“Yeah. It was a grisly execution. Looks like someone wanted to make a point of it.”

Terrabeth’s eyes turned bright red. “Give me a name.”

He respected her fury on behalf of her chosen mate. That protective nature was one he’d inherited from his mother. He wasn’t quite sure where she’d learned hers. “I don’t have a name. Yet.”

That took the red from her eyes. With a weary sigh, she nodded. He knew she was using her thoughts to summon Vedrana.

Her partner appeared with a smile on her beautiful face.

Until she saw Luke.

Suspicion immediately descended over her black eyes and turned her smile cold. She’d cut her black hair short in a way that gave her an impish quality. “You need me to get rid of him?”

Terrabeth gave her a light kiss. “No. He needs to speak with you.”

Luke took his drink from the bartender. “You’re such a bitch. You could tell her the news.”

“Rather not. It’s what you came here for. Hell forbid I deprive you of the honors.”

He wanted to flip her off for that. But she might take it as an invitation.

Knocking back his drink one more time, he braced himself for how Vedrana might react. “Do you know anyone who has beef with Lawson?”