Page 46 of Bent Out of Shade
I wouldn’t insult her by asking if she was afraid of repercussions from our client.
“In other news, Nav didn’t recognize the amulet.” I tore off the lint roller sheet now covered in fuzz and started on the sofa arms with a fresh sticky piece. “Hey, I could go visit the new demon proprietor of Chester’s.”
That would kill several birds with one stone. If the new owner knew about a demon with fire powers and the ability to manipulate ohr who had been in Northern British Columbia a few months ago, I wouldn’t have to get the ring from Giulia for the raven shifter, Nora.
There was a burst of clacking keys and Tatiana groaned, resuming her typing more slowly. “It’s between owners.”
“Again?”
“Apparently. The latest demon had a run-in with a vampire and it’s back in Carpe Demon’s hands.”
“So much for that.” I headed into the foyer and slipped on my shoes.
The keyboard fell silent. “If I’d had any sense that those murders could be part of this case, I’d never have agreed to take it on.” She sighed. “Find Sabrina and let’s extricate ourselves from this entire mishegoss.”
“On it, boss.”
That was easier said than done, since neither the café, the bubble tea place, or the one bar that was open yielded anything. To my endless delight, I then got a text ordering me to Blood Alley. Why couldn’t Zev sleep during the afternoon like a normal vampire?
Showing remarkable restraint by not firing back Your wish is my command, I sent a simple On my way, wondering why he wanted to see me.
I’d almost convinced myself that Zev had rescinded the bargain with Sadie and would demand a favor from me, when I stepped into his territory and ducked behind a dolly piled with boxes at the sight of the lethal being headed down the lane.
Yoshi.
Eyes narrowed, I peeked up over the box tops, gauging the odds of backing out through the gates, cloaked, before he gave chase. Our last encounter had ended with him learning my secrets through my blood and I’d intended to give him a wide berth. Instead, he’d blindsided me with this meeting.
I stepped forward to meet him, my chin set at a stubborn angle. Bite me once, shame on you. Bite me twice, prepare to lose your teeth.
