September Moon (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #8)(49)

“You did say he was Lilah’s lover,” Willow pointed out, maintaining a sense of calm that I had long since abandoned. “Sure, he could be lying, though I’m not sure it’s likely. Perhaps he’s loyal to Lilah even now that she’s in lock up. Maybe his goal is to thwart Shya’s plans for greater power.”

“Why though?” I shook my head, trying to figure out Falon’s game plan. “That just doesn’t make sense. When Lilah was holding my sister and Gabriel hostage, it was Falon who double-crossed her. He was still working with Shya.”

“Was he though? Or would he have wanted it to appear that way?” Willow fiddled with the radio, stopping on the local country station. “That’s the thing about the fallen. They’re as unpredictable as demons. More so. At least with a demon you know where they stand.”

The strains of a whiskey-swilling, ex-hating, truck-driving country song filled the car. I cast a quizzical glance at Willow. He had just spoken of fallen angels as if he was not one of them, which made me sad for him.

“Don’t look at me like that,” he said without ever meeting my eyes. “I can feel you pitying me. Believe me, that is the last emotion I want from you.”

“Sorry.” Eyes back on the road, I cringed and tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “I never meant to. I mean, you know I don’t pity you, Willow. It just saddens me, you know, everything you’ve been through.”

“Forget it. Really. It’s nothing compared to what many face.”

I wanted to argue, to tell him he was better than most. It wasn’t fair that he got the shit end of the stick. I stayed silent, listening to the sappy country song and liking it against my will. When the song ended, I switched the station back to rock with an apologetic smile. I needed the crash of electric guitars to pump me up before I faced the demon that scared me to the tips of my toes. When Guns N’ Roses came blaring out of the speakers, I sighed and tapped my fingers in time to the beat.

“Good call,” Willow said. “This is better. Good ass kicking music. But please, try to stay calm. Getting too emotional will compromise your judgment. Shya will use that against you.”

“It wouldn’t be the first time. You’d think I’d know better by now.”

The closer we got to Shya’s the clammier my hands grew. This had to be a trap. Falon couldn’t be trusted. Trying to figure him out was hurting my brain. He was right. It was a waste of energy to try.

“Don’t let him kill me,” I heard myself say as we turned into Shya’s long driveway.

A cool breeze chilled me as I felt Arys. He was definitely here. He would feel me too. I didn’t care that he pushed me away. I was done letting him make decisions for me.

“Are you sure about this?” Willow asked. “It’s not too late to leave.”

I stopped the car and killed the engine. Goosebumps broke out on my skin. “I’m never sure when it comes to Shya. But Falon’s right. Gabriel has been corrupted enough by that demon. Making him a vampire would take that to a whole new level of scary.”

I got out of the car and adjusted the dagger on my hip. A demon-forged blade wouldn’t do me a lot of good here, but I kept it on me just the same.

The breeze ruffled my hair, and I smoothed it back. Deep breath. Before I could change my mind, I marched up the front step and banged on the door. It opened before I’d finished.

Shya peered out at me, his snake-like red eyes gleaming with sadistic glee. “How nice of you to join us, Alexa. I was hoping you’d show up.”

Chapter Thirteen

I followed Shya into the house, feeling both safe and worried with Willow at my side. The demon spared an amused grin for the fallen angel. Their eyes met and something passed unspoken between them. It did not make me feel any better.

Hatred for Shya surged forth, driven by the angry wolf inside me. I had to rein in my temper so I wouldn’t give in to the wolf’s insistence that I rip his throat out. She didn’t care that he’d survive it; she just wanted to make him hurt.

“I assume you both will be on your best behavior while you’re guests in my home,” Shya said, raising a brow as he cast a serious look at us each in turn.

“You can assume whatever the hell you want to. Where’s Arys?” I stalked past the demon into the living room where I knew everyone would be.

Seated on Shya’s pricey couch across from the fireplace was Gabriel, staring at his phone like a typical teenager. His long black hair hung to hide his face. He didn’t even look up.

Jenner stood behind the couch, in the open space where the living room and kitchen joined. His tattooed arms were crossed, and he regarded Shya with open hostility. That earned him a few points toward my good graces.

I met Arys’s disappointed gaze with one of my own. He sat back in an easy chair that matched the white couch. I didn’t need him in my head to know what he was thinking. Guilt was written all over his face.

We shared a look of our own as I shook my head in solemn wonder. I knew Arys had made this deal and this was the only way to have his demon mark removed. Yet, I hadn’t accepted that he would really do it. Taking Gabriel from what mortal life he had left was wrong. It wasn’t Arys’s place to make that call.

I’d expected to see Falon there. Despite his absence, the backyard patio was occupied by several demons. It stunned me, stopping me in my tracks. Upon catching sight of me through the floor to ceiling windows, half of them abruptly vanished.