Freak Show (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #7)(53)

“Nothing? How about death?” Arys inquired.

“Try it.” There was no budging Jenner. “This place operates twenty-four hours. No exceptions.”

We sat at a table on the main floor. No evidence remained of last night’s chaos. I refused to go downstairs again. Not only did it cater to a crowd that I wanted no part of, but it made escape harder.

“How do you know Linden will even come?” I asked nervously, nursing my second coffee. No liquor for me, I needed to stay alert. “What if he just takes Shaz and calls it even? We could be wasting time sitting here waiting.”

Jenner looked like himself again. Being back here did something for him. It wasn’t just his appearance. He thrived off this place. Dressed in his own attire of dark pants and a black t-shirt that showed off his many tattoos, he gave off an air of confidence he hadn’t had early that morning back at Caesars. His dark hair was slicked into place. Not a scratch remained from his injuries.

“Call it even?” He chuckled. “Oh, that won’t happen. Besides, you’re the one with the rare blood. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad for them all to get a taste. I don’t think he has a clue what it will do to him.”

“Did you?” I pinned him with a predatory gaze. He was lucky I didn’t smack him for a stupid remark like that.

Refusing to acknowledge me, he walked away to consult with the security guys working the door. Despite my increasing unease, I was still able to snicker to myself. It wasn’t often I got the upper hand over a powerful vampire. I was going to enjoy it while I could.

“I have a bad feeling about this, Arys.” I tapped my fingernails on the tabletop, the rhythm increasing with my apprehension. “It’s not going to play out the way you think it is.”

“I know.” Arys had yet to sit. He was up and down, unable to let his guard down for even a second. On high alert, he scanned the vicinity constantly, ready for anything. He was in a foul mood. Not that I could blame him. I wasn’t too thrilled myself.

Jez and Sloane lingered a few tables over, speaking in low tones. It wasn’t my business what Jez did and who she did it with. I just hoped she didn’t get hurt.

Sloane had recovered as well. She didn’t say a word about trying to attack me in her weakened state. Whatever. I could pretend it didn’t happen. It wasn’t important right now. But if she ever came at me again, she’d be sorry. Likewise if she hurt Jez in any way.

The air rippled, and I groaned. I didn’t want to do this.

Falon appeared wearing his usual scowl. He wasn’t any happier about this than I was. Good.

“All right wolf, let’s get this over with. I may vomit just thinking about letting your lips touch me again.”

I turned a pout on Arys, pleading with my eyes. “Aw, don’t make me do this.”

“I’m not making you do anything.” He gave Falon a stiff nod before sliding into the seat next to mine. “We’re powerful enough to blow Linden’s world apart. But he’s going to come prepared and so should we. As a succubus with both light and dark power, I think you’re the only one who can do it.”

Arys wouldn’t be so insistent if he didn’t truly think it was necessary. My resistance was personal. I had to suck it up and get over it. This was for Shaz. My personal comfort meant nothing compared to his safety.

The things I’d heard about the blood ring were beyond horrifying. These vampires preyed on specific kinds of victims, fetish kills that would turn the strongest stomach. I could not afford to take them lightly.

“Fine,” I relented. I could do it for Shaz. To Falon, I said, “What are you getting out of this?”

I hadn’t had any part in this arrangement. Naturally, I was suspicious. Demons didn’t do a damn thing without getting something in return. Falon may not be full demon yet, but he might as well have been. He was his own brand of evil.

“That’s between me and Shya. Lucky you. Off the hook this time. I’ve been given the not so important job of being your back up.” Falon looked positively miserable when he added, “Lucky me.”

“If Shya gives such a damn about keeping me alive, why does he always send you? Why not make an appearance himself?” I never knew what to think when it came to Shya. The demon was unpredictable and downright wicked.

Falon shook his head of fair hair. “I can’t answer for him. He’s a bit of a need to know kind of guy, if you haven’t noticed. Besides, do you really want him here?”

“Good point.”

It had been a couple weeks since I’d seen Shya. He saved me from certain death and made Arys promise to pay the price. The demon was easily the last person I wanted to see. Going home meant having to deal with Shya. I had left to get a break from him and the promise of my death playing a role in some master plan of his. I couldn’t escape that damn demon anywhere. Even now, he was interfering by sending Falon to shadow me. Good for me now, bad for me later. The time was coming when Shya and I would really throw down, come hell or high water. Quite possibly literally.

“How much time do you think we have?” I asked Arys, trying to play it cool in front of Falon. He didn’t need to know my insides were in knots.

“It’s hard to say. Better to be ready than to allow them the element of surprise. It worked too well for them last night.” Slipping a hand into my hair, Arys pulled me close, pressing his lips to mine. “No matter what, don’t make it easy for Linden to find your weaknesses.”