Page 27 of A Deal in Darkness
She’s being willful. That's one.
I'm not letting this pass. Not this time.
“Manners, baby,” I say, annoying her with my composure. “We'll deal with your behavior later. Your hand, before your punishment gets more severe.”
She pouts and thrusts her hand at me. It’s ungraceful. Done in petulance.
That’s two.
My girl thinks she's being clever, but she's got a lot to learn and there's all the time in the world to teach her. I've only just begun to tease and torment her, and I'm going to delight in prolonging her torture.
I smile and escort her to the car, ushering her into the back. She sits and stares at me, wondering what I'm doing as I wait and clearly, she's never been in a chauffeur-driven car before. I close the door, walk around the back and get in the other side, ignoring the slight irritation brewing that I've had to inconvenience myself over her.
Adriana has the decency to look embarrassed as she realizes her error, and it helps placate me.
“I'd assumed you were driving,” she mumbles.
I shake my head, and we drive away.
She turns and looks out the window, watching the city pass her by as if she's never seen London before. Adriana's focusingon anything except me and I'm unusually content to watch her marvel at the buildings as we weave through the city.
She's dazzled and it's breathtaking to watch her lose herself in the moment.
We pull up on Bond Street and the driver opens the door. I raise my eyebrows and she hesitates until I nod and tell her to get out of the car.
Minutes ago, she was pushing against every goddamn boundary she could. Now, she's afraid of going within a meter of them in case she puts a foot wrong.
It's fascinating.
She's intriguing.
She's special.
The special you only find once a century if you're lucky and I'll be damned if anyone takes her from me. The thought alone riles my temper. I’m incandescent with rage by the time we arrive. Murderous, even. Heads could roll and I could do with the release.
One of my lieutenants waits for us, ready to help Adriana with whatever she needs. My girl should enjoy this afternoon, especially since she has an unlimited shopping budget and few constraints.
“Eva.” I nod.
Adriana stiffens and scowls at Eva, practically spitting venom. Eva's pretty but doesn't hold a candle to Adriana. My tastes have never included my assistant, although many others do. Despite all this, Adriana feels threatened enough to misbehave, and I hope it’s jealousy that’s making her act like a brat.
“You know my preferences, Eva. Classic. Elegant. Refined.”
Eva nods and extends her arm, prompting Adriana to walk towards the designer shops.
“Adriana,” I call after her, making her stop suddenly. She doesn’t turn immediately, and it’s an annoying detail that makes my temper flare. “You need a full wardrobe. Get anything you like.”
She doesn’t smile, simply turning to walk away in silence.
I watch her walk away, glaring at the two demons tracking her down the street. They’re here because they’re bound to me and I’ve made damn sure they know what’s expected of them. Exactly what’s required.
Adriana stays safe. At all costs.
But she doesn’t need to know they’re here.
My girl wants some space, and she isn’t ready to find out how dangerous the world can be. I took her innocence last night, but I won’t deprive her of the illusion she’s grown up with. The one that convinces her the world is safe and warm, that it doesn’t have darkness lurking at every corner waiting for its chance to emerge.
The demons nod and scurry away, merging into the crowds as they blend in with the mortals on the street. My eyes dart back to Adriana, watching her disappear into a shop and I curl my hands into fists, letting my magic spill onto the street.
