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“If this wizard is working with your brother,” Desmon said, “he will know where you live, and he will know where you work. Either way, you can expect he will come for you. Mateo can keep your locket hidden at his place, and yes, Seth should make a replica to use as a decoy. To be extra careful, I will send a guard to keep you safe.” He turned his head and announced loudly into the middle of the room, “Prax! I have a mission for you.”
Seconds later, a demon winked into existence. He was nude from the waist up, showing off perfectly sculpted pecs and six-pack abs, his skin tan and dusky. He wore—I blinked. Were those old-fashioned men’s breeches? Whatever they were, they belonged in another century. They were tight and molded to his legs, and the giant bulge at the front was unmissable. I tore my eyes away from his impressive package and looked back up to his devilishly handsome face.
“This is Prax. He was recently released by Seth, his sister Tansy, and her demon Eamon from a long imprisonment by a line of wizards. He was hidden away for centuries, so he’s still getting accustomed to living in this day and age.” Then he said to Prax, “This is Eva. You will guard her from harm while also letting my enemies steal a replica of this locket from her. Do what you must to keep her safe.”
Prax’s grin widened, and he gave me a look that was more suited to seducing than to guarding. A double wave of danger and arousal hit me, and I didn’t know whether to be frightened or turned on. He drifted closer to me, not bothering to take steps with his legs.
“Hello, Beautiful. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he purred, extending a hand to me.
Mateo growled and stepped between us before I could shake it.
“There is no need for the incubus. I can watch over Eva,” Mateo said.
“You need to find my half of the locket.” Desmon’s tone was businesslike, but the slightest hint of impatience shone through.
“That’s precisely why I should be the one to guard her,” Mateo insisted. He’d fully wedged himself between me and Prax by now. “I’m still on this mission, and Eva is a part of it. If the wizard does send someone after her, then I should be there to intercept him. It will lead me to the locket.”
Prax looked unfazed. “I’m the better choice to guard her. I can fade into nothing and blend into the crowd.” He demonstrated by puffing out of existence. “You’ll look suspicious hanging outside her house,” said his disembodied voice.
Then he slowly rematerialized right behind me. “I’m a lot more fun anyway,” he whispered low into my ear. “If you know what I mean.”
I shuddered, simultaneously turned on and repelled. I felt his presence surrounding me; it was as if he could touch me right through my clothes. Something slid up, brushing against the side of my breast, but when I looked down, there was nothing there. What magic was this? It was like he was compelling me to feel lust. Prax was handsome enough, in a suave, devilish way. It wouldn’t be an enormous hardship to—
“Get your hands off her!” Mateo grabbed me and hauled me out of the incubus’ grasp.
The moment I lost physical contact with the incubus, the feeling of uncontrollable lust faded. Interesting. I wasn’t sure if Prax was conjuring it on purpose or if it was just a part of his nature. Either way, I doubted he was my safest option for a guard. If I had to get naked and make the monster with two backs, I’d rather it was with Mateo. I thought of our teaser this afternoon, and arousal filled me again, this time for the big, powerful monster, longing to feel his burly arms around me once more.
“She won’t be at her house,” Mateo gritted out, “because she’s staying with me until all this is over. She’d already moved her cat in. My place has a state-of-the-art alarm system and is protected by magical wards.”
(And a basement that looked like it belonged to a secret agent.)
“While you, incubus, are technically still couch-surfing,” Mateo continued, his grip tightening on my arm. “Plus, you think I’m going to be the one who looks suspicious? Have you looked in the mirror recently? What century is it?”
Oh wow. Was Mateo jealous? He had buttered me up earlier. Maybe he didn’t want the incubus showing up and snatching his hard work right out from under his nose. To be honest, I didn’t mind Mateo’s attention one bit, while Prax gave me slightly creepy vibes. I had a feeling there was some sneaky magic involved, and if I were left alone with him, I’d start thinking very differently until after he left…and by then, it would be too late.
Desmon grumbled, and a little lick of smoke curled out of his nostrils. The dragon was losing patience. “I don’t care who does what. As of this moment, you are both assigned to the mission, and Seth is to help you when needed. I want that locket back, and I want the owner of the other half of the locket, Eva, protected. As to who does what, you two figure it out. Carly—shall we?” He stood and offered an elbow to his mate.
“Good luck,” Carly said, taking her dragon’s arm. “And Eva, you have my number. If you get sick of either of these guys, just give me a call. It’s always safe here.”
“Thank you.” I grinned and waved as the two sailed out of the library.
I pushed away from Mateo and stepped away from him and the incubus, needing a moment to myself. There was way too much virile masculinity all in one place, and it was making it hard for me to think.
“I can’t follow you around while you do your investigations,” I said to Mateo. “I have to work, remember?”
“You’re going to have to tell your boss you can’t go in for a few days, until this whole thing blows over.”
“What? No way! I’d lose my job.”
“Better than losing your life. Whoever this wizard is, he’s not someone you want to cross.”
Prax cleared his throat, looking smug. “And that’s why I’m the better option. I can protect her at home and at her job. Looks like I win.”
Seth laughed. “Have fun with your pissing contest, guys. I’ll get working on the magical replica. Who knows, maybe you could both protect her. Sometimes, two is better than one.” He waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
Then he walked out, leaving me with an incubus and a…damn it, I still didn’t know what Mateo was…fighting over me like a chew toy. Time to nip this in the bud before it got out of hand.
“How about this?” I said, stepping between the two. “Mateo can keep watch while I’m at his place—”
