And because of her gift, to Acheron, even with all the powers he possessed, she blended into the background. How nice to have an anti-Atlantean cloaking device.
Which had been very helpful last night while she'd been in the club trying to gather information for Stryker and instead had learned about Acheron's current female obsession. Or should she say, weakness.
The journal she sought was here-she could feel its pull but the Atlantean god protected it and as long as he did she couldn't touch it without risking his wrath.
So she was waiting for him to let down his guard and leave either the bag or the bimbo unguarded. And if her demons would do their job correctly, she'd have a shot at Ryssa's book and the secrets it contained.
Satara gasped as she felt the pain in her chest that signified Ash had left the building. Smiling, she got up and headed upstairs to steal his most guarded possession.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Satara pulled back as she caught sight of Aimee Peltier with Ash's new pet standing outside the room where the two of them were staying. Damn! She couldn't touch the little slut so long as the bear was with her. She'd attempted to violate the sanctity of a Were-Hunter safe zone once in Seattle and had almost been killed over it.
Savitar had made his point loud and clear. The Weres were off her menu.
Bastard.
But if nothing else, she learned from experience. Which meant she couldn't grab the journal until either the bear was gone or they left the opening of that room so that she could sneak inside. Not to mention the fact that two of Apollymi's high priestesses were near them too. The last thing she needed was for one of them to summon their goddess's powers-Apollymi was a lethal bitch who made Artemis appear a whipped puppy in comparison.
She'd have to bide her time.
Stepping back, she returned to the shadows to wait until either she had a moment to pounce, or her demons arrived-if they would just get here. Those demons were turning out to be more trouble than they were worth most days. Unlike the Daimons they had a god complex and didn't like answering to anyone they didn't have to obey.
But the demons were handy at times. If they violated sanctuary laws, oh well. Who cared if they died?
Or better yet…
Auntie Artie might prove to be the better ally in this. If nothing else, Artemis would get Acheron out of the way for a while… especially if Auntie were to learn that Acheron had been playing in another woman's garden.
T
She looked around the small round table where Aimee, Justina and Katherine were hanging out and exchanging bad date stories.
Not exactly Tory's favorite way to waste her life. 'Guys,' she said, smiling at them. 'No offense, but I'm getting stir crazy. Can we please go downstairs and hang in the bar or do anything that keeps me from sitting here bored out of my mind while the three of you watch me grow eyebrow hair? I mean really, I am fine. I'm not going to spontaneously combust or do anything else freaky. Promise.'
Aimee laughed. 'Yeah, but if I go down there and the guys see me, they'll put me to work.'
Tory grinned. 'Put me to work, I beg you!' Anything was better than growing inert.
Aimee cocked her head suspiciously. 'Do you know how to wait tables?'
'Absolutely. My family owns three delis and two restaurants in New York. I'm slave labor anytime I go near them.'
Justina held her hands up and grimaced. 'I don't do tables, dishes, windows or anything else that involves other people's germs or saliva.'
The three of them looked at her curiously at the unsolicited confession that really was more information about her than any of them needed to know.
'Okay, sex and kissing notwithstanding. That's completely different. Eating food is another matter. People are gross.'
Tory laughed.
'I'll help out too,' Katherine said. 'Tina can follow Tory around and make sure no one grabs her while we're goofing off-that should keep Tina safe from saliva germs and Tory safe from boredom.'
Aimee scoffed at Katherine. 'Ladies, have you not seen the muscle we have downstairs? Anyone or anything comes in here with a nasty intent and my family will mop the floor, ceiling and walls with them. Why do you think Ash brought Tory here in the first place?'
Katherine smiled. 'Okay, we're sold. Plus I have my priestesses dispersed in the crowd so that we can watch too. We should be pretty well covered.'
'Cool beans.' Tory followed Aimee downstairs so that she could get her a Sanctuary T-shirt and a white half apron to wear around her jeans. Tucking the journal into the apron pocket, Tory set about waiting tables while Justina tried to follow her around and remain inconspicuous.
Yeah…
It was hard to miss the tall brunette with an FO attitude so thick it could wall in an ancient city, who eyed everyone like they were the next victim. But that was okay. Tory loved the woman, attitude and all.
Smiling at her friend, she went over to a table where an extremely good-looking man sat alone, wearing a pair of sunglasses that reminded her of Ash's. Dressed all in black, he also had the same FU attitude that she'd noted on Ash the night they met. His brown hair was brushed back from his face which bore the same double bow and arrow mark that Dev had on his arm. Ash had told her those were used by Artemis to mark her Dark-Hunters, but it was still daylight outside so maybe he was like Dev and wore it because he thought it was cool.
As she drew closer, Tory assumed he was another Were-Animal. 'Hey sweetie,' she said in greeting. 'What can I get for you?'
She couldn't tell he was looking at her for the sunglasses, but she could feel the weight of his gaze like a tangible touch. Before she could blink, he was on his feet, standing behind her with one hand across her waist. He leaned his head down to her hair and took a deep breath.
'You stink of Acheron.' His voice was deep and laced with a thick Cajun accent.
Tory put her hand on the journal, ready to fight to the death over it. 'You might want to take your hand off me and step back.'
'Or what?'
'Or I'm going to ruin your day.'
He laughed bitterly in her ear. 'You think so?'
As quick as she could, she moved her hand from the journal to his crotch. Grinding her teeth, she took hold of him with a grip made strong from her years of archaeology and twisted until he was doubled over in pain. She let go as his face turned bright red and he cursed her.
'There's no thinking to it, buddy. Given the fact that I'm six foot one, you had to know I wasn't a wimpy female.'
Justina moved in behind her.
He started for her, but before he could make contact, Dev was there, pushing him back. 'Nick, you know better.'
Nick shoved Dev away from him. When Dev started for him again, Nick held his hand up and with an unseen force, he slammed Dev against the wall. 'I'm not your bitch, Dev. Don't ever put your hands on me again.' Straightening his jacket with a tug at the lapels, Nick sauntered over to her. He lifted one piece of her hair off her shoulder. 'Give Ash my best and make sure you tell him that you met Nick Gautier.' He tossed her hair away from him as if she disgusted him before he walked out.
Dev went slamming to the floor.
Tory ran to him to make sure he was all right as he cursed at being defeated. 'What was that about?' she
