Page 12 of Demon’s Temptation

Eve and Mia grinned then couldn’t hold in their laughter.

“Seriously?” Chaya said.

Eve wiped her eyes. “I’m sorry, but the look on your face when Zenon threatened to feed whoever you date their own dicks. That was priceless.”

“Awesome,” Chaya said. “You’re both jerks, by the way.”

They laughed harder, and then Chaya couldn’t help it and ended up laughing as well.

She left not long after that, and after avoiding more questions about Brent from Eve, who had insisted on walking her to the elevators, she headed to the ground floor. But not to leave the compound, not yet.

James, a demi-demon as well, could usually be found down there. He lived there full time and helped train the new demi the knights brought in, freshly transitioned and desperate for help controlling their powers. And she was right. He was coming out of one of the training rooms when she exited the elevator.

“Just the man I’m looking for,” she said.

A warm smile lit up his face. “Hey, Chay. Good to see you. I heard you were back.”

“You heard right. Will we be seeing you at the club anytime soon?”

He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “I had thought about stopping by.”

“You totally should.”

“So what’s up?” he said, seeing through her completely.

Chaya motioned to the small room he sometimes used as an office. “A quick word, if you’ve got a little time?”

He dipped his chin. “I’ve got fifteen before my next training session, if that’ll work.”

“Absolutely.”

She followed him in and shut the door behind them.

“What’s going on, Chaya?”

She leaned against the door and took a steadying breath. “You’re one of them, aren’t you?”

He shifted from one foot to the other, but his expression didn’t change. “I’m not sure what you mean.”

“The demi that have joined the war. You’re one of them.”

He started to shake his head.

“The knights, they don’t know you’re involved.” That much was obvious.

His jaw tightened.

“Look, I’m not here to blow your cover. I won’t tell anyone your secret, not ever. I think what you’re doing is amazing.”

“So why are you here, Chay?”

She noticed he still hadn’t confirmed or denied his involvement. But as soon as she’d heard about the group of renegades, she’d known without a doubt that James would be one of them. The male saw more, knew more about what they faced than most. His position here, his job with the knights made sure of that. And she’d witnessed his frustration over what was happening, over how vulnerable the demi were, at feeling powerless.

“I want to help. I want to join the fight,” she said.

He stared at her for the longest time, like he was trying to read her mind, and for all she knew he could. She had no idea what the guy’s power was.

When he still hadn’t answered her, she said, “Look, my power may not be earth shattering, but I know I can help, I know it. I want to.”