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“Damn, angel. You sure know how to make a guy jealous. Maybe you can use that trick on me later.” Damien winks at me, swinging our hands.
Storm groans under his breath, but he doesn’t argue. He knows my mindset. That’s one thing that we’ve already established. I’m going to do what I know is right. And if luring a traitor out in the open is what we need, then I’ll do it. For humanity’s sake. For my own.
River holds his hand out to me. “See, I knew we would be on the same page. I think you’re wearing on me a bit, little demon. I can’t wait to find the fucker against us. No one betrays me.”
I take River’s hand, feeling the electric shock between us, reminding me of our lust spell-induced kiss. Warmth floods between my legs, and I glance at Damien, wondering just how much this sort of thing affects him. Now that I know his true needs as a demon, I can’t get it off my mind. I don’t want him to starve, but I know he doesn’t want to ask either. So maybe I can just sneak in a little extra affection that he can feed on without drawing attention to the others. I’ll have to mention it to Storm. I know he’d be on board. River, on the other hand? It’ll take him a while to warm up. But right now is a start. I don’t mind treating him like he’s some genius for this half-thought-out plan. It’s enough. It should accomplish what we need to, and that’s all that matters.
River chuckles and spins me around, sending me toward the entrance of Howl at the Moon. Music blares through the air, and my skin buzzes at the sight of the wards etched around all of the windows and the open door with a bulky bouncer guarding it. The man locks eyes with me, his gaze holding mine for a minute before it travels down the rest of me, taking in my self-cut cropped top, torn and tied to show off my torso and the black mini-skirt River had hiding in his closet, left behind by some mortal. I try not to be jealous, but I know that the woman was probably smart enough to move on. Because River might be in denial, but he is my fate. He found us for a reason.
The bouncer whistles, a smile creeping across his boxy jaw. I flash my own smile and wink, tossing my blond hair over my shoulder just as Damien instructed me to do. The bracelet on my wrist hums, sensing the blessed wards, and I pray that it gets me past the entrance. I need to get inside the bar, and I’m relying on the deflection spell to ensure it.
My heart races as I close the space to the bouncer, offering him another smile that hurts my cheeks. It might be a little forced, but I don’t really know how to engage in conversation with regular humans. Other hunters, either. He’s supposed to be a normal guy, and...the way he looks at me just makes me want to unleash my blade and scare the heavy-lidded look of lust off his face.
“Lucky you, darling. It’s ladies’ night. There’s no cover charge and your first beer is free.” The bouncer holds up a stamp, waving at my hand. Because hunters frequent this bar, River knew that they wouldn’t ask for identification or anything like that. The skirt is enough to gain me access. Gross? Maybe. Helpful? Absolutely.
I bite my lip as he stamps my hand. “Thank you, big boy. Maybe you can come have a drink with me on your break?” My tongue feels heavy as I spit the words out, repeating exactly what River told me to. I’ve never called someone big boy, but it obviously works because the guy chuckles and flushes, clearly happy with my attention.
“See you at eleven, then.” He guides me in, touching his hand to the small of my back until I stride faster out of his reach. I shiver at his touch and train my eyes on the empty bar, the music deceiving from the outside. No one dances. There’s only a handful of men at the bar, and another few sitting at a couple of the booths with either girlfriends or wives.
I straighten my shoulders and try not to let it discourage me. Just because the place isn’t crowded doesn’t mean anything. It’s not like it’s possible for there to be that many hunters in one area. It would be impossible to track and fight against Hell if there were. They tend to stick to small groups, according to Storm, and I should be grateful for it. It makes it easier to look around and find my mark.
I just hope this works.
I shake my hips as I saunter to the bar, stepping into an empty spot next to three guys sipping on golden whiskey from tumblers. All eyes turn to me, looking at me with just as much curiosity as I do to them.
The bartender abandons the guy he’s serving, leaving a bottle of vodka with him, and approaches me with a dishtowel on his shoulder.
“What can I get you, miss?” The bartender smiles at me, dropping his gaze to my breasts. “First one’s on the house. It should be beer, but I can make an exception for you.”
I lick my lips and rest my hands on the counter, rubbing my palms together. “How about something a little spicy? Something with heat. Something that will maybe start a little fire.”
I summon my Hell power, growing an orb in my hand, illuminating the dimly lit bar.
“How about you give me something like me?” I add, sending the orb toward the collection of cheap bottles of alcohol lining the bottom shelf.
Fire engulfs the bar, blasting heat through the air.
I never thought I would be the reason that all Hell breaks loose.
26
Traitor
Riella
Hollersandscreamsfillthe air, and the men at the bar beside me scramble away, not expecting me to turn their sanctuary into a hellish paradise. The scent of burning broils through the bar, and the bartender rushes away, taking cover.
The fire doesn’t last long because River materializes at the kitchen door, coming in from the back. He sprays the place with a fire extinguisher, sending white substance over everything.
“Don’t let her get away!” a hunter shouts, pulling a blade from his belt. He points at a man somewhere behind me, and I spin on my feet and high kick, knocking another hunter back.
Their lack of skills makes this far easier than I expect. I thought I would have to subdue at least a couple of them before facing the traitor, but I’m pretty sure at least half of the people in the room abandon the bar completely.
“Satan’s mistress! Go to hell!” I swivel and face an older man, a series of wrinkles cutting across his leathery face. He holds up a cross, but it does nothing to me. Whoever he got it from didn’t bless it appropriately, and it’s basically just a knick-knack.
I snatch it away from him, turning his bravado into a scared little mortal, and a part of me loves seeing him freak out. I realize now that unleashing my Hell power in the room, fighting against the blessed wards, and facing people who are currently a threat overwhelms me.
I need to get out of here. If they continue to push me, I might lose complete control. I won’t be able to focus enough to find who we need.
