Something Wicked

With a last appreciative look in their new neighbor’s direction, Leena went back into the apartment and Lucas, Eden, and Darrak took the elevator downstairs.

“So. . what do you do, Darrak?” Lucas asked.

“I leech off the charity of others,” he replied smoothly.

Eden slapped his arm. She really wanted to appear completely normal to Lucas if she could. “Darrak is an. . entrepreneur of sorts. And an aspiring comedian, obviously.”

“I see.” Lucas nodded. “And how did you luck out enough to live with two beautiful women?”

“It’s my cologne. I have to beat the ladies off with a stick.”

How long was this elevator ride? Darrak was in a strange mood, and she really wanted to get him away from anyone he might scare off.

“You’re a funny guy,” Lucas observed.

“Humor helps to mask the pain. It’s my thing.”

“Are you two married?” Lucas asked.

Eden managed to choke on a gulp of air. Darrak slapped her lightly on her back.

“No,” he replied for her. “But we’re together. So feel free to hit on Leena, but Eden’s off the market, if that’s what you’re wondering.”

Lucas’s smile widened. “I think I understand.”

Eden waited until she reached her car, got in, and started driving before she turned to the demon. She scanned the area to make sure no Malleus members were around but saw nothing out of the ordinary.

“What was that?” she demanded.

“What?”

“‘Eden’s off the market’?” Her hands tightened on the steering wheel as she pulled onto the road. “We’re not together that way, Darrak.”

“I just didn’t like the way he was looking at you.”

“Oh, boy. You’re delusional, you know that?”

“He gave you a marble.”

“So what?”

He shrugged and fiddled with the radio. “In some cultures, the giving of a marble might mean you’re engaged.”

“Lucas is right. You are funny.” But she wasn’t smiling. “Listen. . what happened last night—”

“Oh, so now you want to talk about it.”

“I don’t want it to be awkward between us.”

He reached for her, and she froze, not knowing what to expect. He drew his index finger over the surface of her medium gray amulet before his ice blue eyes flicked to hers.

“It can’t happen again,” he said.

“I know.”

“Then you’re going to have to help me a little bit. Because last night. . well, let’s just say it was really close. This curse of mine is dangerous. I have to be close to you to survive, but the closer I get, the more I. .” He swallowed. “Things just aren’t as simple as I’d like them to be.”

That was true for both of them. Eden tried to concentrate on the road, but then Darrak took her hand in his and kissed it. His lips felt so warm against her skin, and desire swirled inside of her.

“And that’s helping?” she asked.

“Probably not.” Then he grinned. “What can I say? I’m a demon.”

He was. Sometimes it was a bit too easy to forget that.

TWELVE

Theo was waiting for them at Opa’s, the Greek restaurant next to Luxuria.

The demon had ordered a flatbread and hummus appetizer.

Eden eyed him warily as they approached. His hair was black, even darker than Darrak’s. Darrak’s hair was usually an unruly mess in need of a comb, but the other demon’s hair was sleek and shiny and pulled back at the nape of his neck. He had hooded eyes and an easy smile and skin that looked naturally tanned. He made Eden think of someone who lived in Hawaii and might consider surfing a way of life.

He was handsome. Then again, she hadn’t expected him to be ugly. Whatever his demon form might look like, it was practically a guarantee that his human form would be appealing. Made him all the more dangerous to unsuspecting prey.

Therefore, the prospect of having lunch with two attractive demons didn’t exactly ease her mind.

Theo smiled and stood up as Darrak and Eden reached the table.

“Darrak,” he said. “Good to see you in one piece again.”

Eden waited to see a tightness in his expression, something to betray the fact Theo was waiting to shift form and attack both of them. But there was nothing.

Maybe she shouldn’t have had three coffees at Triple-A that morning as they waited for their appointment with destiny. She was seriously jittery and more on edge than normal.

Darrak grinned at his friend. “Good to see you, too. This. . this is Eden.”

Theo’s black-eyed gaze swept over her. “A pleasure. Please, have a seat. Take a menu.”

Her arm brushed against a faux Greek pillar. The entire restaurant had a Greek pantheon feel to it. A painting of Zeus on top of Mount Olympus stared down at them from the ceiling.

Zeus’s eyes were a bit buggy. It only helped to make her feel more paranoid.

She sat down cautiously next to Darrak, every muscle tense. She didn’t even glance at the menu.

“I know Darrak met you the other night,” she said. “In my body. So let’s not pretend the reason we’re here is to partake in the chicken souvlaki special, okay?”

Theo took a sip from the glass of wine in front of him. “She’s direct.”

“She is,” Darrak confirmed.

“But very ungrateful.”

Eden bristled. “I wouldn’t say that.”

“No? Storming in here unpleasantly, not even giving me a smile. And yet, if you’re here, you obviously expect me to help you.”

He maintained his slightly amused expression. She didn’t appreciate it very much.

“You’re helping Darrak, not me.”

“By helping Darrak I am helping you. So try to behave.”

Wow, that was condescending. A wave of dislike moved through her, bringing with it an edge of magic that she felt at the surface of her skin. Instinctively, she felt threatened by this demon and wanted to protect herself. He wasn’t infused with humanity like Darrak was. He was a threat.

But. . he was right. She hated to admit it, but he was. If this demon helped Darrak, it would be helping her as well, wouldn’t it?

What would Theo think of the fact she was a nephilim?

She still wasn’t convinced of that. Mild psychic skills were not conclusive enough to make her blindly believe everything Oliver had told her last night.

One problem at a time, she thought.

She clasped her hands in front of her on the white tablecloth. “All I’m saying is that Darrak’s your friend, right? So obviously you want to help him. Anything you do for me will be a side effect only.”

Theo glanced at Darrak. “Does she win many friends this way?”

Darrak shrugged. “It’s been a difficult couple of weeks for her. For both of us. She’s normally quite adorable.”

“I’m sure.” Theo’s lips stretched into a fresh smile. “This doesn’t have to be unpleasant, Eden. I’m the same as Darrak, after all. And you feel comfortable enough with him, don’t you? You can feel the same about me.”

That was unlikely. She tried to push away any ill feelings or fear or distrust. “If you say so.”

She took a sip of the water in front of her, hoping Theo hadn’t poisoned it.

“So. .” Theo began. “Darrak tells me you’re a black witch.”

She choked and the water almost came through her nose. “He did?”