Page 16 of Demon’s Temptation

Chaya stood in the doorway of Deluca Gym and checked out the large room. In the middle, padded mats covered the floor, and exercise equipment had been set up on the outer edges. A group of females stood in the middle, moving in unison as another barked out drills, kicking and punching the air in a kind of synchronized dance. She guessed it was some kind of martial art or combat fighting.

Chaya took in the female at the front, the one instructing them. She was lithe and tall, her hair pale blond, almost white, and she had it pulled back in a long ponytail.

This was obviously Grace, her contact.

There was a seat close to the door and Chaya sat to wait. They were amazing to watch, and the longer she sat there, the more she worried that she wouldn’t have anything to offer this group of demi. Because that’s what they were, she realized. All of them. Females who were strong and skilled, brave and determined.

She’d never been in a fight in her life. Did she really think she could face off against actual demons, ones determined to take over her world?

What the hell was she doing here?

The class ended and Chaya quickly stood. She’d made a mistake. What could she possibly contribute here? She slung her bag over her shoulder and turned to leave.

“Chaya?”

She stopped in her tracks and turned.

The female standing there frowned a little. “Do you have to go?”

Chaya shook her head. “No, I…” She met the other female’s direct stare, who Chaya was now positive was Grace going by the description James gave her. “This was a mistake. I can’t fight like that…”

Grace took her hand and stopped her from taking another backward step. “Not everyone in this war is fighting it in the physical sense.”

“No?”

Grace shook her head. “Why don’t we have a chat and go from there?”

This female had a strength that could not be missed, a determination that drew you in. She was also extremely beautiful, and her striking mahogany eyes were almost hypnotic. There were no powers at work here, though, just a female, a leader, who was determined to save her kind.

“I’d like that.” Chaya followed her across the room and into a small office.

Grace took a seat and motioned for Chaya to do the same. A smile warmed her perfect features. “I know your sister.”

That surprised her. “You know Mia?”

“Oh, she had no idea what we were doing here. She took my self-defense class a while back. I sensed she was powerful, but there was also a giant demon hunter sniffing around her so I decided she might not be the best candidate to recruit for our cause.”

Chaya didn’t see any reason to keep secrets. “That giant demon hunter is Zenon and they’re now mated. He’s family. Also, like all demi, my father was a demon, but unlike most, I know him. We have a relationship. He’s a good male, Grace. Which is another reason I want to help in this war. Not all demons are created equal, and I want to make sure demons like my father aren’t persecuted. Is that going to be a problem?”

Grace stood and took two bottles of water from a small fridge by her desk. “No.” She offered Chaya one. “Not if you keep our identities a secret, at least for now. And I agree, not all demons are bad or evil. We don’t go around killing indiscriminately. As for your father, the relationship isn’t a problem; may even be helpful in the future.”

Chaya took the water. “I would never reveal your identities. And not just because it’d be a dick move. No one would be happy about me joining forces with you, especially not my family. Zenon would lose his shit and Chaos would probably lock me in one of the holding cells.”

Grace stilled, her expression flattening. “No, I’m sure Chaos would be pissed that he’s being shown up, but maybe if he did his goddamn job we wouldn’t be where we are now.”

Okay, so no love lost there. Still, she asked, “Have you thought about approaching them, working with them?”

Grace shook her head then took a swig of her water. “Not possible. And besides, it’s our lives on the line. We should be able to defend ourselves without asking permission to do so.”

Fair enough. And that was kind of how she was feeling, how she’d been feeling for a long time. “So how do you think I can help?”

Grace sat again. “We have eyes and ears all over this city, some demi, some human, some other. The humans don’t know what we are, of course, but they don’t mind giving information for a fee.” She rested her forearms on her knees. “We’re pretty sure the knights suspect a high-level demon is behind the strange activity in the city. Someone powerful.” Her gaze leveled on Chaya. “I understand you have a wide and varied clientele at Toxic?”

Chaya straightened. “Well, yes.”

“We know there are powerful demons in this city who have grown in strength since they came to Earth but, to anyone watching, appear to be toeing the line, following the rules set out by the knights. We think it’s one of them.”

“Okay,” Chaya said, a nervous twist in her stomach.