Blonde & Blue (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #4)(49)

“Yes. Shya had it made. All he needed to bind it to you was a strand of hair, easily taken from the hair clip left in your office.” With a shrug Lilah picked up the sugar packet I’d dropped and began to fold down the edges. The casual gesture contrasted the weight of her words. “Sorry if that sounds creepy. It’s demon magic. He needed a part of you. So now it’s yours.”

I didn’t know how demon magic worked, and I didn’t think I wanted to. It was very presumptuous of Shya to make such a thing for me. It raised warning flags.

“Why? What does he expect in return for it?” Suspicious, I laid the dagger back in the box, going so far as to close the lid.

Lilah chuckled. “Smart girl. Always ask that exact question before accepting anything from a demon, especially Shya. This time he only wants your assurance that you will kill Veryl.”

Ah, so she knew about that. “Why is it so important that I do it? Can’t anyone else? Why can’t you?”

My question had been petulant though it hadn’t been my intent. She was unfazed.

“Because I’m the one he’s blackmailing. If I kill him, everything he has on me leaks to the people I want it kept from. He’s assured me of that.”

That was not what I’d expected. I turned that tidbit of information over in my head. Veryl was a scumbag. I didn’t know what he had on Lilah nor did I need to; he was out of line.

“How do you know it won’t still leak if I kill him?” It occurred to me that at no point since being asked had I really intended to turn down the hit on Veryl. What did that say about me?

Lilah met my gaze, and I saw in her eyes that she trusted me, something I was sure didn’t come lightly. “I don’t. It’s a chance I’ll have to take. The cocky prick has been using it to manipulate me for long enough.”

Silence descended as I contemplated everything I knew. It was none of my business, but I couldn’t help but wonder what Veryl had on Lilah. She herself was an enigma. I’d been dying to know more about her since we’d met. I’d never known anyone like her. Though she’d scared the crap out of me a few times with her power over demons, I had no reason not to help her.

“Lilah, please forgive me if I’m overstepping my bounds here, but what are you? I mean, I know vampires are rooted in darkness, demons in their own way. But, they aren’t demons the way you are.” There. I’d taken my chance and given words to the question nagging me.

I feared a negative reaction, but it never came. She didn’t appear to mind my inquiry.

“I’m a demon. One of the highest in rank. Or, at least I was. I was cursed. Forced into a corporeal form. A vampire.” The sugar packet in her hands suddenly exploded in a burst of white powder. “Veryl knows my true identity. That is information that could end my entire existence if it should fall into the wrong hands.”

She was shut up very tight. I couldn’t get a feel of her energy at all. The shadows in her eyes spoke loud and clear though. If I thought I had problems, Lilah’s would likely blow mine out of the water.

“Thank you for sharing that with me.” My gaze dropped to the box, and I thought of Maxwell and Claire. A weapon like that could be an advantage. “I’ll do it. I’ll kill Veryl. Just make sure Shya knows I don’t owe him anything else.”

“No problem.” Lilah stood up and offered me a hand. “Let me know if you ever need anything. I mean it. Oh, and when it comes to Shya, watch out for the pretty words. He has a way of saying things that makes them sound better than they are.”

“Gotcha. Word games with demons. I’m on it.”

I smiled to lighten the mood. It didn’t help. I’d gone from vampires to demons and from friends to lovers all in one night. I was ready to hide out in bed for a few days and will it all away.

That same hot wave of nausea passed through me when Lilah dropped her circle. Her demon power was heavy and thick. It felt like metaphysical molasses. I didn’t like it.

I sat in the car after Lilah left, watching the night slip away. The rain had let up, but it hadn’t stopped. Placing the Dragon Claw box on the passenger seat, I couldn’t resist opening the lid to slide my fingers along the smooth expanse of the blade. It felt like a part of me. Knowing what Shya had done to create it should have bothered me more than it did. Touching the magical dagger and knowing it was mine, I was smitten.

* * * *

Coffee in hand and heartbeat erratic, I made my way up Arys’ front walk. His neighbor, Mrs. Olson, sat on her front porch reading a book in the sunlight. The rain had stopped, allowing the sun to break through. It was a lovely morning.

She waved when she saw me. Her little dog came barreling across the lawn to bark at me, something he always did. He had no problem with the vampire that lived in this house, but he sure hated werewolves. The dog had been a gift to Mrs. Olson from Arys, after he’d killed the last one.

“Beat it, Frankie.” I hissed beneath my breath. “You can’t take me, and you know it, you little ankle biter.” To Mrs. Olson I beamed a big smile and waved.

I felt Arys’ heavy energy inside. Standing in front of the door, I sucked in my breath and knocked. In a sinister motion, the door swung open, revealing nobody on the other side. Arys was feeling cryptic. Fabulous.

I closed the door behind me and turned to find Arys looming in the darkened kitchen. I jumped, spilling hot coffee over my hand and on the floor.