“And for the record,” Daniel added, his grin widening, “Raven could kick your ass. You know that, right?”
Kent frowned, then shook his head. “Yeah, I fucking know.” He replied after a second of hesitation.
“That was hard to admit, wasn’t it?” Daniel smirked glancing his way.
“You have no idea,” Kent snorted, then looked away from Daniel, but the corner of his mouth twitched. “I may not think you’re a freak, but asshole? You definitely are.”
Daniel laughed, and Kent joined him, the sound easing the tension between the two men that had been present for way too long.
Then Kent looked toward the surgical center, his smile fading.
“What the fuck is taking him so long?” he mumbled. “All he had to do was get a feel for the place.”
“Knowing Steve, he really is getting an estimated price on removing your head from your ass,” Daniel said with a chuckle.
Kent opened his mouth to respond, but Daniel leaned forward, his expression changing so fast Kent’s hand went for his weapon before he even knew why. “What?”
“Demon,” Daniel’s voice dropped. “Stay here.” Daniel opened the door and got out.
Kent scanned the lot. All he saw were parked cars, a quiet building, and nothing moving.
“The fuck I will,” Kent snapped, getting out and following Daniel, who was already heading across the parking lot toward the side of the building where a smaller parking lot was located.
Turning the corner, Kent cursed.
A man stood leaning against a car, staring at the building as if waiting for someone. He turned, looking straight at Daniel.
“Demon Slayer,” the man hissed in disgust, but Kent saw the fear behind his eyes.
“What are you doing here, Nix?” Daniel’s voice was calm as he stared at the man. “Better yet, who are you waiting for? Because if it’s for an innocent soul I’m going to have to disappoint you.”
“I don’t answer to you, Slayer,” Nix spat as he began to twitch.
Kent watched the human act peel away. One second Nix looked like a pale, nervous piece of shit trying not to piss himself. The next, his body snapped backward so hard Kent heard bone crack.
Then the demon underneath the skin came out to play.
Skin rippled and split, the human color draining into a slick gray hide that looked diseased before it even settled over him. His face twisted, mouth stretching too wide as sores ripped open at the corners. Human teeth fell out of its mouth as demon teeth pushed through his gums in thin, sharp rows, wet and black at the root.
Kent’s stomach tightened. He’d seen a demon shift once before, and yeah, it was just as disgusting.
Nix’s shoulders hunched, his spine bowed, and his fingers curled into claws. Black veins crawled beneath his skin. His eyes bled from human to a sickly yellow.
The smell of rot rolled off him next, thick enough to taste, and Kent’s lip curled in disgust.
Nix’s growl echoed in the parking lot as his attention snapped to Kent. “What are you looking at, human?”
“One ugly son of a bitch,” Kent replied with a snort, not in the least bit intimidated. “And you smell like death shit itself.”
“Good one,” Daniel said, but didn’t take his eyes off the demon.
“Thanks.” Kent watched as the demon glared at him.
“You’re breaking the rules by showing your true form in the human realm.” Daniel informed the demon, gaining his attention.
“Fuck the rules,” Nix hissed as spit flew from his mouth.
“That’s what I figured you’d say,” Daniel shook his head. Kent had to admit he was impressed how calm Daniel was when he himself had his hand on his weapon ready for the fucker to move a single inch.
