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His smile widened, and I replayed my words in my head. Damn demon.
Kane must’ve been feeling merciful because he let the comment slide. “Now, when are we going to talk about your other friend?”
“Which friend is that?”
“Because you have so many?”
“Hey,” I objected. “Uncalled for.”
He finished his whisky and set the empty glass on a coaster beside the chair. “Your friend in Wild Acres who tried to eat the young girl. She recognized you.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Then why did she bow to you?”
And here I thought I’d escaped that close call. A couple months ago Ray’s granddaughter Alicia accidentally summoned a Lamashtu, bringer of fever, nightmares, and death. The creature recognized me and expressed her allegiance. I could have commanded her to leave the girl alone, but that would’ve revealed too much. I stayed quiet and was grateful when Kane intervened to dispatch the Lamashtu before she could hurt Alicia. Now it seemed I’d overestimated my stealthy sidestep of the issue.
“I don’t know what to tell you. She obviously had me confused with someone else.” I wanted to get up and start walking, but I forced myself to remain calm.
“Lorelei,” he began. He never used my first name.
I kept my mask of innocence firmly in place. “Yes?”
“Whatever it is, you can tell me.”
“I’d be happy to—if there were something to tell.”
Kane shook his head. “Fine. I won’t push. You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”
Don’t hold your breath, I thought. “That’s an interesting attitude from a demon with an expertise in torture.”
“The expertise belongs to my minions. I simply oversee, or I did when I lived there.”
“And why don’t you live there anymore? I forget what you told me.” I slapped the arm of the sofa. “Oh, that’s right. You haven’t told me anything.”
He allowed himself a small smile.
“Now, can we talk more about Magnarella?” I pressed. “My lunch is in about twelve hours, and I still don’t feel like I know what I’m walking into.” That much was true.
The demon seemed to accept I wasn’t going to loosen my lips about the Lamashtu, because he switched gears. “Magnarella is pompous. He has more staff for his house than security. He doesn’t retain a bodyguard. I’ve been told he even brags about it, like it’s a badge of honor.”
“It’s stupid.”
“It is, but don’t be fooled. The vampire himself isn’t. He also has powerful backers and the kind of money that would make anyone superhuman.” Kane hesitated. “It isn’t about the money, is it? This desire to connect with him. If you’re in need of financial assistance, I could…”
I shot to my feet. “Don’t finish that sentence. You’ll embarrass us both.”
“Very well. Is there anything else you’d like to know that I haven’t covered? I’m afraid I can’t shed any light on the existence of a third nipple or any other part of his anatomy.”
“I’ve heard enough, thank you.”
He walked me to the door to rejoin the club. “Then you’ll still go through with the date?”
“It’s only lunch. I can handle one meal.”
“Be warned, Miss Clay. Once you’re in his sights, it’s very hard to shake him. He’s very much a predator in that regard.”
“Good thing I have experience with predators then.” I entered the club and immediately recognized the sound of Chopin’s Raindrop prelude.
