Page 2 of Wicked Curses
She didn’t drink often but welcomed the burn as it warmed her chest and belly. Her hand didn’t shake quite as much when she released the glass.
CHAPTERTWO
The demon chuckledas he pushed the glass across the bar to the inner edge. With her brown hair swaying around her shoulders, the over-six-foot-tall lycan woman behind the bar strode down to refill the drink and slid it toward Sahira.
The lycan’s brown eyes were intense as she spoke. “These are on the house because it’s rough when you first get here; we’ve all been there, but there’s no freeloading in this realm.”
“Give her a minute, Belda,” the demon said.
“I am, but you know the rules. Make sure she knows them too.”
The demon raised his hand to his forehead and gave a mock salute. “Yes, sir, captain, sir.”
Sahira stifled a smile as, not at all amused, Belda scowled at him. “No one likes a dick,” the lycan snapped.
“I must disagree,” a pixie said as she stopped to hover in front of Sahira.
Belda waved at the tiny creature who held her hand over her mouth to contain her laughter before zipping away. A trail of pink pixie dust followed her through the crowd.
“Are you okay?” the demon asked.
Sahira downed her second glass of alcohol and winced as this one seared its way onto her tastebuds. “Fine.”
She coughed into her hand and blinked away the tears burning her eyes. When she set the glass on the bar, the demon leaned his elbow on the red leather padding the edge, while reaching over to grab the bottle Belda set down.
The demon refilled her drink before setting the bottle beside it. “Keep drinking. It doesn’t make it better, but it’s a little calming. I’m Drozeth, but everyone calls me Zeth.”
“A demon,” she murmured.
“You’re very observant.”
Despite her distressed state, Sahira chuckled. “I meant it’s not often you run into a demon. You tend to keep to yourselves.”
“That’s probably why I’m the only one here.”
“Are there witches here?”
“Yes, and warlocks.”
“What about vampires?”
“They’re here too. Are you going to have a problem with that?”
She laughed humorlessly as she flashed her teeth at him. Her fangs weren’t fully extended, but, like all vampires, they were noticeable. “Not me.”
“Oh, sorry, I thought you were a witch.”
“I am.”
His eyebrows rose as his eyes ran up and down her. “Interesting.”
“So I’ve been told by some. Others don’t find it so intriguing.” She poured more alcohol into her glass but only sipped it this time. “How long have you been here?”
“Thirty years.”
Sahira almost spit out the liquid as she choked on it. Setting the glass on the bar, she pulled at the collar of her shirt as the world blurred.
Zeth rested his hand on her shoulder again. “Easy. Deep breaths. It doesn’t seem like it now, but you get used to being here.”
