Page 87 of A Deal in Darkness
“She's a delightful acquisition. It must give you much pleasure to take from her. If you wish to share or grow weary of her, I insist on first refusal. Perhaps you'll want to punish her, and I'm sure I could oblige.”
My weight shifts and Enzo's arm tightens around my waist, pulling me into his lap.
“Your interest is noted, old friend. Adriana is still new and she holds my interest. I do not see myself growing bored with her anytime soon. Maybe in a few centuries...”
They laugh loudly, amused by their own depravity as my stomach twists and disgust sweeps through me, making me nauseous. Enzo tucks my hair behind my ear and strokes my face, and I don't know if he's soothing me or tormenting the other demon, who's staring at me like he wants to fuck me on the table.
“We were discussing your problem, Amaymon. I'm aware of the rumors. They’re inconvenient if rather fantastical. Perhaps too fantastical to believe. I'm prepared to assist you for my usual terms.”
“Your usual terms don't apply, Elgios. You'll do this for a considerably more reasonable price.”
The demon laughs and his eyes turn a startling shade of violet, contrasting with his white hair and inked skin.
“Go fuck yourself, old friend. My usual terms or none.” The violet eyes flick toward me and slowly descend my center. “Or her. A night with her. Alone.”
Enzo growls, and his muscles ripple with rage. He's becoming hotter too and the warmth is not pleasant. It's the fire of anger and I exhale, certain I won't be traded like I'm nothing more than a possession.
“She's not for sale, Elgios.”
“Pity,” he replies, drumming his fingers on the table. “She'd have enjoyed it, and I’d make sure she returned to you with a few new skills. My usual terms it is then.”
The club seems darker than earlier and shadows wrap around my ankles, rising from the floor and already encasing Enzo's thighs. My heart races as the tension rises and the two demons square off against each other, neither willing to concede, and both enraged and infuriated by the other.
My fingers dig into Enzo's thighs as I cling to him and I stutter a breath, unable to contain the anxiety coursing through me. I'm where I don't want to be and I close my eyes, trying to escape whatever nightmare I've found myself in.
My ears ring as my body hurtles into Enzo's chest, flung against him by a force too powerful to resist. My heart pounds with every desperate beat as we hurtle back, colliding with a wall and slumping to the ground.
An arm shields me from a chair as furniture flies and shatters on impact. The air burns my lungs as I splutter, struggling to breathe as I shake, unable to focus on anything. Myvision is as confused as I am and I'm panicking, wondering what the fuck is going on.
25
GOING OUT WITH A BANG
ENZO
The explosion rips through the nightclub, and I recognize the enchantment as I protect Adriana. Her little body crumples as it slams into mine and I take the force of the impact, stopping her bones from breaking and her organs shattering.
Furniture flies towards us and I raise my arm, protecting my girl before my magic kicks in. It's a split-second reaction that stops her from getting hurt—and it’s far too close a call.
I'm fucking furious.
Tonight is an outrage.An abomination. A fucking insult on top of injury.
The nightclub is neutral territory, a haven for demons, witches, warlocks, and anyone else who wants to join us to meet. I've made sure it stays that way, protecting it so it can do what I need it to do. It’s vital, allowing us to strike deals with those fucking assholes on the other side. Their righteousness irks and it's always unpleasant—but occasionally something crops up and we're forced to work with the cunts who serve the Almighty douche.
Adriana whimpers, and my rage turns into a viciousness that knows no limits. She's scared and clinging to me, her heart beating at a pace far too fast to sustain. My girl should be enjoying herself and instead she's too terrified to move—and I will gut the fuckers who dared to ruin this evening.
They've intruded on her, and now they're damn well going to pay.
They’ve attacked me in her presence, and I refuse to tolerate this. If I was at war before, then they haven’t invented a word to describe what’s happening now. I’ll annihilate the fucker and anyone he ever met for good measure, simply because I can. It wouldn’t be enough to quench my thirst for revenge, but it might take the fucking edge off it.
“Cover your eyes, baby,” I say, whispering to Adriana and surprising myself with my gentleness. “I've got you, but you need to keep your eyes closed.”
The precious, perfect girl curled against me whimpers and clings to me harder. Her fingers hold on with all the feeble strength she can muster as she trembles, too terrified to speak. I let my arms close around her and feed off her fear, using it to fuel my anger as I take from Adriana, leaving her slightly calmer.
“WAS. THIS. YOU?”
My voice sends my warning of unbridled violence rippling through the world and even Elgios flinches.
