Page 55 of His Eternal Temptation

Trapped in a room with no way out as fire spread…

He shook off the thought and gestured to a self-service bar in the corner. “Drinks are there. Help yourselves.”

Onyx plopped into one of the chairs around the card table. “The drinks are for you, not me.” He wrinkled his nose. Of course he didn’t even want one. Typical.

Cecile didn’t hesitate to pour herself a gin, and Rowan helped himself to the bourbon, inclining his head in Lane’s direction.

“Go on. I think I need more than a beer this time.”

Rowan passed him a bourbon, and they sat. “Cecile…”

She held up a hand. “There’s no need, Rowan. I said I had it handled, and I did. I just wish Emile had never gone out alone.”

“What happened?” Rowan asked.

Cecile’s gaze flicked to Onyx, looking as grudging about trusting the demon as Rowan. It was a small comfort, but really, there was no need to doubt Onyx after the way he’d fought for the good of humanity. Even if he was incredibly irritating.

“Have you filled Nico in on the ferals?” she asked Rowan. Anything said to Nico would get back to Onyx, and vice versa, since they were mates.

“Not yet.” Nico and Rowan worked together often. If Nico knew anything, he’d have passed it on, whether it was the first he’d heard of the problem or not, but Rowan should have given him a heads-up.

It was one more thing he’d let slip through the cracks.

Onyx raised a brow. “Ferals?”

Cecile gave a concise summary of the recent attacks. “A black van was caught on camera dumping Caden behind the café. It was our only lead.”

“Emile must have caught up with whoever turned the poor vampires,” Rowan said, and Cecile nodded.

“We found him in a burned-out shed on the other side of the river. The fire was being put out, and whoever set it was long gone. We should return and check if people in the area saw anything suspicious, but it wasn’t a populated street, and the property looked abandoned.”

“No one goes alone,” Rowan warned.

“Obviously.” Cecile stood, setting aside her empty glass. “Now that I’ve stopped moving, the day is catching up with me. I need a quiet moment.”

“Of course. And Cecile…thank you.”

She rolled her eyes. “I told you, no need.” She left before he could object.

Onyx scrutinized Rowan as the door closed. “You seem tired, too.”

Rowan stiffened. “I’m fine.”

Onyx held up his hands. “That wasn’t a jab. You’re clearly having a bad week.” At Rowan’s continued glare, he seemed to give up and turned to Lane. “So, what’s your deal? You and Rowan seem close, and Nico’s never mentioned you.”

“Nico doesn’t know me.”

Onyx’s gaze turned calculating, but not without a hint of amusement. “Interesting.”

“Not as interesting as you performing healing magic when I can’t detect your power.” Lane crossed his arms and waited for Onyx to explain.

His grin intensified. “Oh, you think I’m suspicious? How fun. I bet you’re curious why I’m prancing around without a shirt, too. It’s because I flew here. I’m a demon.”

Lane’s eyes widened, his attention darting to Rowan.

His shock was warranted. Until recently, Onyx was one of the only three demons on Earth. They were more legend than real as far as the magic world was concerned. Even after the rest of the demons had been freed, they’d kept to themselves, and news of the new shape of the realms wasn’t yet common knowledge. Lane might not have heard about the exodus or what happened after, but Rowan would rather share his involvement when Onyx wasn’t around to butt in.

“It’s a long story,” he said to Lane. “Now’s not the time for it, but ask me later.”