Addict (Hunter #2)(32)

I’d also learned how to run. The freedom I’d felt those nights I let loose and ran through the countryside with the wolves had opened something inside of me I hadn’t known existed. The queen had told me I would find I “belonged” in wolf culture, and it had been true while I was in Italy. Marcus had stayed with me for weeks while I immersed myself in their lifestyle. I wasn’t so sure how I fit in with the American wolves though. The Italians had appreciated my rarity. The Americans seemed to be suspicious of it.

None of that mattered as I gave my legs leave to do their worst. At this time of night, in this part of town, I could run freely. A human would most likely ignore me, thinking I was a stiff wind breezing by. My instincts were strong, and I hadn’t plowed into anyone yet. Pure joy suffused me as I opened all my senses and let loose.

I’d easily memorized the map Lee had drawn for me. I had a feeling he was going to turn out to be a much more effective assistant than Justin Parker. I made the final turn and halted suddenly in front of the address I’d been sent to.

I also managed to surprise the demon waiting on me.

He gasped. I couldn’t blame him. One minute he was alone and getting pissed off that I wasn’t there and the next I was two feet away. It wasn’t easy to scare a demon, but that was kind of the point of me.

“Hello,” I said, enjoying the fact that he made sure I wasn’t holding a weapon.

“You’re late.” Gray’s brother was dressed in an open-throated dress shirt and neatly pressed slacks. His dark-brown hair was perfectly cut to frame his face. I wondered what he looked like in his demon form. He had perfect hold of this guise. Without the red tinge to his eyes when the light caught them, I would swear I was standing next to a human. From what I understood, Gray’s brother was a full demon with none of that pesky mortal DNA.

“I got held up,” I explained. “Some * on freaky drugs tried to take me out. Do you know who Julius Winter is?”

The demon nodded with an approving smile. “Gray said you were quite good. Julius Winter is the owner of this club. I don’t know exactly what he’s up to, though I suspect he’s also the one pushing drugs about the city.”

“He’s a demon, then?” I studied the warehouse we stood outside. It was perfectly nondescript, like any of a thousand bland warehouses that dotted the city. From what I could see, there were very few windows and only the one door on this side. They definitely didn’t want prying eyes.

“A very old one.” He was looking me over and he shook his head at my clothing. “This won’t do.”

I straightened my nice black cashmere sweater, wondering what the hell he was talking about. It paired nicely with the gray slacks and tailored leather jacket. The outfit was perfectly respectable. “What’s wrong with it?”

“You look like someone’s sweetheart,” the demon pointed out. “Does the vampire dress you himself? Are you wearing a chastity belt? I wouldn’t put it past him.”

I rolled my eyes. “I dressed myself, *, and Marcus trusts me. He knows exactly where I am and why I’m here.”

“Does he now?” the demon said as though he was intrigued by that bit of information. “We’ll see how he feels at the end of the night, won’t we? Come along. I have your cover set up, but I need you to change clothes. The good news is, most of the girls change here anyway.”

The demon turned and walked toward the warehouse. I stopped because I felt eyes on me. There was an abandoned building directly across the street, and I was sure someone was watching me from one of those windows. I didn’t have time to figure out who it was though, since the demon wasn’t big on waiting. I rushed to catch up and took my place at his side just as he held up his hand to knock. He caught himself and took me by the shoulders.

“You must remain quiet, Kelsey,” he instructed. “Human women in this place are to be seen and not heard. Do you understand?”

“If I’m not allowed to ask questions, then why the f*ck am I here?”

“I’m not saying you can’t talk to staff if the occasion presents itself, but do not, under any circumstances, even look Julius Winter in the eyes. Once you get to the top level of this club, you must play your part or you’ll get us all killed.”

“Fine,” I said shortly. Now I was really interested.

The demon knocked three times on the door in a sharp, staccato rhythm.

“What kind of club is this anyway?” I asked.

“A sex club, of course, dear,” was the even reply.

Of course. What had I been thinking?





Chapter Seven



Matt straightened his tie as the elevator began its climb. I’d been told to refer to him as Matt. Obviously demons aren’t normally named Matt. They get douche names like Hixelfrax and Beezle. Whoever names them is serious about the xs and zs. But Matt wasn’t about to tell me his real name. On the Earth plane he would likely go by several aliases, but there was no way he was giving me the real deal. Demons jealously guard their real names. If you’re dumb enough to try it, you can call a demon to your hand, but only if you know his or her real name.

His eyes slanted my way. “Stop fidgeting.”

“You try having a piece of dental floss shoved up your ass and we’ll see how you like it,” I grumbled back.