The Entity Within

business owners are not happy that witches have moved in. We don’t want your kind here.”

For a second, Zoe thought the growl came from her before realizing it emanated from Bella, who’d strolled into the room to sit at Zoe’s feet.

“I don’t like cats,” Tanya said. “They sneak up on you.”

“I don’t like vampires,” Bella said. “They sneak up on you and suck you dry.”

Tanya growled.

Bella growled louder.

Tanya tried to reach for Bella but the protection spell prevented her from touching the cat.

Bella stuck her dainty pink feline tongue out at Tanya.

Zoe was tempted to do the same.

“That’s black magic right there,” Tanya said, glaring at Zoe. “I say we torture you to get you to remove the demons and then we get rid of you. Or maybe the demons could kill you first and then Damon can kill them. I like that idea.” Tanya paused to look at the camera and preen a bit. “It’s brilliant. Right, Damon?”

“No, it’s not,” he said from right behind her.

Chapter Eight

“What are you doing here?” Zoe said.

“Preventing Tanya from torturing you,” Damon said. “Although there is something to be said for a good catfight.”

“I find that comment offensive,” Zoe said.

“As do I,” Bella said. “Although back in the day at court I was known to battle a lady-in-waiting or two. But those days are over.”

“Her cat talks,” Tanya said.

“I know,” Damon replied.

“That’s black magic,” Tanya continued. “Evil stuff.”

“It’s not black magic,” Zoe corrected her.

“Like you’d admit it if it was,” Tanya scoffed. “You can’t trust her.”

“I already know that,” Damon said.

His comment aggravated Zoe no end. Granted, it was nothing new. Damon had told her more times than she could count that he didn’t trust her. But saying it in front of Tanya made it worse somehow.

Remembering what had happened the last time she’d felt intense dislike, Zoe deliberately tried to play it cool. Yes, she had a protection spell over her now, but even so she had no desire to tempt fate. Being possessed by a demon and levitating once was one time too many in her book.

If only they could figure out what had happened to the mysterious spell book that had unleashed the demons in the first place. But it was hard for Zoe to concentrate when she had to deal with angry vampires in her living room. Her rented living room.

“Thanks for your help, Tanya, but I can take it from here,” Damon said.

“I think I should stay,” Tanya said. “What if she tries her black magic on you? It would be safer if you had someone like me to watch your back.” She ran her fingers over his shoulder and down his back.

“I appreciate the offer,” Damon said.

“I’ll bet you do,” Zoe muttered.

“But I’ll be fine,” Damon said. “I’ve dealt with demons, after all.”

“What if she calls up a bunch of demons to attack you?” Tanya said.

“I’ll hack their hearts out,” Damon said,

“And hers, too?” Tanya pointed to Zoe.

“Sure,” Damon said.

“You and what army?” Bella growled.

“That cat of hers is dangerous,” Tanya warned him. “Maybe she’s really a demon in a cat’s body.”

“And maybe you’re a demon inside a vampire’s skeletal body,” Bella shot back.

Tanya showed her fangs.

Bella yawned before lifting her left paw to daintily wash her face.

“We don’t have time for this right now,” Damon told Tanya. “Leave.”

“This isn’t over,” Tanya hissed before stomping out on her four-inch-heeled boots.

Zoe wasn’t sure if the female vampire was speaking to her or to Bella. Not that it mattered. Zoe knew that neither of them was on Tanya’s buddy list. Zoe didn’t know why Tanya was so upset with her. She could understand being miffed with Bella, but Zoe had tried to be polite. She’d even assured Tanya that she was welcome to Damon.

Which brought Zoe’s attention back to Damon and the self-satisfied look in his dark blue eyes. “You heard our conversation, didn’t you,” she said.

“Of course I did,” he replied. “I was standing right here.”

“I meant before. Your cameras were spying on me.”

“You seem to enjoy talking about me,” Damon noted with a smirk.

“Tanya does. Not me.”

“So you say.”

“I told her she was welcome to you,” Zoe reminded him.

“I know you did.” He sent her a reprimanding look. “You shouldn’t lie.”

“I didn’t lie,” she shot back.

“Come on. We both know you did.”

Zoe pulled her hair away from her face in exasperation before letting it fall loose again. “I do not know where that mysterious spell book went.”

“I wasn’t talking about the book.”

“What then?” she said.

“You saying you’re not interested in me.”

“Conceited much?”

He grinned and shrugged.

His movement drew her attention to his broad shoulders. Damon might be sexy but he was definitely off limits. Okay, he was definitely sexy, and he got to her in ways she had not expected. Even now, she felt the spark between them. Maybe it was a vampire thing but she suspected it was a Damon thing. She didn’t want to jump Nick and have sex with him the way she did with Damon.

She could tell by the knowing look in those damn bedroom eyes of his that he realized she was attracted to him, despite her best efforts to hide it.

She pointed to the camera in the corner. “We are not having this conversation.”

“Fine.” He leaned closer until his warm breath brushed her ear. “Talking about sex is overrated. Doing it is much better.”

She stopped herself from giving a soft moan of excitement, but it took a lot of effort.

Damon abruptly stepped away. “Let’s go back to the beginning. Why did you quit your job at the library?”

Zoe blinked. She was still recovering from him whispering about sex in her ear. “What?” She’d expected him to ask about the appearance of the spell book, not her past work history.

“You heard me.”

“That’s none of your business.” Zoe used her best librarian voice. She was totally peeved that he’d used his seductive ways to distract her. She wondered what he’d do if she whispered something sexy in his ear.

“Ah, but it is. Everything about you is my business now that you’ve unleashed demons.” He was looking at her as if he wanted to consume her. Consume her as in bite her and drain her of her blood or as in kissing her? She couldn’t be sure.

“You didn’t like me even before that,” she said.