Night Shift (Kate Daniels #6.5)(81)

“And if I say no?” My voice sounded tiny.

“Then I will be forced to destroy you.”

Just like that. Same silky, seductive voice—in one moment promising my deepest desires; and the next, my messy death.

“Isn’t that a little melodramatic?”

“I assure you it is an accurate description of what would happen to your physical body should I do this.” He did another negligent hand wave and vaporized a mannequin standing in the corner of the dressing room.

I swallowed. “You’re right. Destroyed is a good word for that.”

“Then you agree to my request.” He didn’t ask it as a question.

“How can I agree when you haven’t told me what the job is?”

His fangs were showing, but it wasn’t a smile. Like drawing a gun, he was simply showing me his weapons. And damned fine weapons they were.

“I require the same services you’re presently employing on Vivienne’s behalf.”

“And if I refuse and you ‘destroy’ me, then no one gets my services and I get dead—which is my big concern as you can imagine.”

“Then we are at an impasse,” he murmured.

“I’m not going to help you find any leprechauns, if that’s what you’re getting at.”

“I don’t need your help finding the remaining three leprechauns. You have two in custody. The third is in this room with us; and the remaining two have panicked and are attempting to flee my place of business as I speak.”

“Rake Danescu.”

“You’ve heard of me.”

“I’ve been told of you.”

“No doubt by your new partner.”

I ignored that. “If our quarry’s flying the coop, looks like we’re both out of luck.”

“Oh, I don’t believe so. My true quarry is right where I want her.” His dark eyes glittered in the dim light. “Almost.”

“I’m not your BOGO.”

The goblin arched one flawless eyebrow.

“Buy one, get one free.”

“What a charming concept.” He smiled at me, showing me all of his teeth, including two alarmingly sharp fangs—all dazzling white. Looked like SPI wasn’t the only supernatural organization with a good dental plan.

“I can feel the air quiver from his trembling—and yours.” His black eyes gleamed as they scanned the room. I half expected a forked tongue to dart out from between his full lips and taste the air. His eyes narrowed and those lips slowly curled in a smile. “And I can smell your fear—and arousal. Have you asked yourself why Vivienne assigned you to her most trusted agent?”

I tried to swallow with a bone-dry mouth. “To keep the newbie away from creatures like you?”

“Among many other reasons. There are things I can offer—things that you want—that Vivienne Sagadraco could never provide.”

And one of them was getting entirely too close.

I swallowed hard. “Yeah, these days good insurance is hard to come by.”

“When you are nearly immortal, you need not concern yourself with the injuries, sickness, and infirmities of age. Serve me well, and I could see to it that you are granted that gift.”

“Package that and you’d put the insurance companies out of business.” I was thinking fast, or trying to. Rake Danescu was getting closer, but my feet and—of more concern—the rest of me was making no effort to get farther away. In fact, parts of me were toying with open rebellion with my good sense.

“There are other benefits that are beyond your imagination,” the goblin said.

“I can imagine quite a bit.”

He gave a low laugh. “And I eagerly look forward to you telling me about each and every one.”

His smile went from dangerous to downright wicked, as he slid one long arm around my waist, pulling me tight against him. I didn’t know if it was a figment of my imagination or trick of the light, but I could swear the goblin’s eyes were getting larger and darker. With goblins, sex was just as much about power as what you did with the parts. And from what I was feeling, he wasn’t lacking in either department.

“Have you heard what happened to your predecessors?” he asked softly.

A chill ran from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. “One of them.”

“Would that be the exsanguination, the fall from the Empire State Building, or the unfortunate subway accident?”

“The first one.”

“You haven’t been told of the others?”

“Not yet.”

“Nor will you, unless you ask your new employer some very direct questions. Questions the senior management at SPI will find most uncomfortable. And an interesting fact concerning your American supernatural flora and fauna—North American sewer leeches don’t live this far north.”

I just stared.

“Yes, they lied to you.” He smiled slowly, as he slid his other hand down the length of my spine. “Would you like to know why?”

I was officially beyond words.

“Tell me, Makenna Fraser, have you seen any demons lately?”

“Present company excluded?”

He laughed softly. “Contrary to what many in this city—human and supernatural—think, greed is not good. There is nothing wrong with acquiring possessions that are pleasing to the senses—present company included—however, I know when to stop. Others do not share my restraint. There is danger in reaching too far without acknowledging the limits of your power. Such wanton arrogance could destroy us all. Vivienne has experienced difficulty protecting her seers. Perhaps you would be safer with me.”