Page 57 of The Sasquatch and the Hairdresser

“You two should get out of here,” he says. “An unmonitored portal isn’t safe.”

“That’s precisely why I’m not leaving you here alone,” Hal says, his brow furrowed in worry. “I would never leave a friend in need.”

My heart squeezes so fucking hard. Just when I didn’t think Hal could make me admire him more, he ups the damn ante.

I’m his partner now, so if he’s staying, so the fuck am I.

“Yeah,” I add. “Even if you have a huge-ass sword, you need backup in case all hell breaks loose. Solidarity, man.”

Akram grins. “I can look after myself. But I appreciate the sentiment.”

Hal pulls his phone out of his apron pocket. “Let me text Baxter. He’ll want to get over here ASAP.”

“How could something like this even happen?” I ask, darting a glance at the swirling black void that looks like something out of a creepy sci-fi movie.

Akram frowns. “It’s probably connected to the situation we discussed at the Community Gathering. Unstable magic can sometimes trigger a rogue portal ope⁠—”

A loud cracking noise cuts off Akram’s words, and I’m momentarily blinded by a motherfucking bolt of lightning crashing into the room.

What the actual fuck?

I blink a few times, my eyes finally focusing on a new person added to our squad protecting the bar—Astraea, looking every inch the goddess she is: eyes glowing, hair swirling, long coat billowing around her.

“Son of a fae-fucking bitch,” she snarls at the portal.

“How did you know?” I ask. I’m also trying to wrap my head around the fact that, as far as I can tell, she rode a fucking bolt of lightning here.

She grimaces. “I’ve been around a portal opening or two in my time. Let’s just say I know what that energy feels like.” She stares at the sketchy-veering-on-ominous vortex. “Bloody fucking hell. This is the last thing we need right now.”

“Is it dangerous?” Hal asks, holding me close.

I pat him on the back with my free hand, keeping the beer bottle in my other.

No one and nothing’s getting the jump on me.

The front door of the bar slams open, and we all turn to see a debonair demon in a red velvet three-piece suit and a top hat with holes for the horns on his head fill the threshold, an ornate cane brandished in one hand. He saunters into the establishment as if he owns the place.

“Good evening,” he says in a drawling British accent. “I came as soon as I felt the portal’s manifesting energy.” He smiles at Hal and Astraea, then does a double take at the sight of Akram. “It’s been ages since you let your horns show, my friend. I’d nearly forgotten you had them.” He eyes the sword balanced on Akram’s shoulder. “And it’s been even longer since I’ve seen the legendary Azrathul at hand.”

Akram levels him with an unnerving stare. “I’ve told you before, we’re not friends.” His eyes narrow. “And the last time you saw Azrathul was during the Great War.”

The newcomer chuckles. “Always so surly, Akram. I’ll win you over one of these days. That old feud between the demons and the djinn was a foolish campaign instigated by our decrepit ancestors. Don’t you think we should let bygones be bygones?”

Akram huffs but says nothing.

The posh guy turns his attention to me and doffs his hat. “Ah, the newbie salon owner in our midst. Welcome. Kassiel Blackburn, at your service. I run Kassiel’s Couture and Consignment Shop.”

I give him an awkward wave with the empty beer bottle that I’m sure as hell not putting down. “Hi. Skylar Wright.”

“It’s a delight to have you in town. We’ve needed a real salon for ages.” He runs a hand through his long, dark hair. “Look at all these split ends. You simply must sign me up for an appointment as soon as you open. Yuki—that’s my darling mate—will also want to use your services, I’m sure.” His gold-colored eyes go dreamy. “He loves to dye his hair such delightful colors.”

“Uh… sure. I would welcome your business.”

Kassiel beams.

“Son of a fae-fucking bitch,” Astraea says again. “Kassiel, any idea why a portal to the Demon Realm opened all of a sudden, or where it leads over there?”

Kassiel shakes his head. “No clue on either front, my dear. Hence why I have arrived so promptly.”