Page 36 of Judge of Saints and Sinners

To my surprise, my new roommate placed his hand over mine, the warmth from his palm covering me and spreading up my arm as I looked up into those beautiful, unique amber irises. “I’ve said this before. You do not have to explain yourself to me. I am simply here, as it appears the deal requires it. So if you need me…you know how to find me.”

My heart fluttered. I forced myself to push a smile to my lips, to stand up and check on my other customers a few booths away. I needed the space to think. I reminded myself that this demon was not mine.

He could never be mine.

I needed to stay away, to stay unattached. When I got attached, people got hurt. And I couldn't watch that happen. Not even to him. His magic was no match for what was after me.

My stomach clenched. While he appeared strong and savvy and capable, whatever this curse was that hung over my head, it was more dangerous than everything else. Well, more dangerous than most things.

My shift dragged after Judge got here, probably due to the bunch of wild latecomers who ordered half the kitchen and stared at me like I was dessert. When I finished dropping off their food, I moved behind the counter to make another pot of coffee, when I felt, rather than heard, someone behind me. Confused, I turned to find Judge standing at the bar, his bright hair gleaming, one fist planted on the counter.

Fury radiated from him in hot waves. Something deep in my chest twisted at his blatant show of emotion.

“Judge?”

He dropped his chin, white hair slipping forward over part of his face and hiding his expression. “They are talking about you.”

I looked over at the group I’d just served then rolled my eyes. “Typical assholes.”

Judge stiffened, face jerking up to meet mine. His eyes, which were usually that strange amber, were nearly black. Something in my belly tightened, and I could almost feel the shift of energy all around us. “Judge? What’s going on?”

“I cannot stand it.”

“No, it’s okay. They’re just dumb and half-drunk. They come in all the time. They'll leave soon.”

Judge’s eyes snapped to mine. “The things they say about you…” His lips quivered and drew back in a snarl that raised the hair on my arms. “They will be punished.”

And before I could stop him, he was marching across the diner, stopping directly in front of the booth. I dropped the coffee pot onto the counter and raced around, watching as each of them registered this unusual-looking tall man standing in front of them, murder clear in his eyes.

“Hey man…nice hair—”

Judge cut them off. “I demand you apologize.”

The one in the back of the booth, with a shiny bald head and blond beard, grinned at Judge. “For what?”

“For what you’ve been saying.”

The others in the group smirked and looked at each other.

Lizzy and the cook, Gary, came up behind me. None of us speak.

“I don’t owe her shit.”

My jaw went slack as I moved to Judge’s side, my fingers sliding into his hand and gripping him tight. “Come on, Judge. They aren’t worth it.”

“Yeah, pretty boy, you and your snotty bitch can move right along.”

“What did you call me?” I turned slowly, Judge’s bulk at my back so hot I felt like my skin was on fire. All ambitions of staying under the radar here in Omaha were forgotten as I stared at these men. I had been kind to them.

Too kind.

But suddenly the men froze, going a little pale, and at first I thought it was because of what I’d said. But I saw the very real fear in their gazes as they stared over me.

One or two of the guys made like they were going to leave. “Man, that’s freaky.”

Another started to stand, hands pushing at him to move out of the booth so they could leave too. “Cut that shit out.”

Deep in my chest, something was bright and humming, that butterfly feeling but so much stronger. I couldn’t stop the smile that appeared on my face. Even as I looked back to see Judge.