Josh scowls as he cuts me off, his hand held out in silent demand, "Where is it?"
"Where is..." The sudden change of topic confuses me, but then I remember. Sentinel. The only thing he's been concerned about since last night.
It's not that I'm surprised he's demanding I hand Sentinel over, after all, I had promised to bring the statue with me. It's that he's demanding I hand it over now, in front of all these strangers, when he's acting so possessive over it. *Wouldn't it be safer to keep it in my purse until it's time to go home?*
Nodding, I dig down to the bottom of my purse, only to find the inner lining brushing against my fingertips.
No no no. Not again. I know it was here. I even checked again before I left the apartment... So where is it?
A thick lump forms in my throat, making it hard to speak, already knowing he's not going to like my answer, "I must have forgotten it at home..."
"Of course. I should have known better," he mutters. Taking a step back, he waves his hand, dismissing me, "That's fine. You're not needed here anyways. Just make sure you bring it to the office tomorrow or I'll be forced to press charges."
Without another word he walks back into the main room, leaving me standing here, confused as to what the hell just happened.
Chapter Eight
Cain
"Well?" the demoness raises a brow in silent demand, her arms crossing over her chest, lifting her breasts as she idly swirls the champagne in the glass. A seductive move unconsciously done due to her heritage.
Together we stand on the other side of the grand ballroom, within sight of the main doors while still being far enough away that none of the humans immediately notice us as they enter.
"Magnificent..." The single word doesn't do my mate justice but it's the only one that comes to mind. Hair darker than the midnight sky frames an angelic face. Her soft blue eyes taking everything in as she peers past the attendant approaching her. Black silk clings to every curve of her body, bringing to mind of the silk sheets still laying rumpled on my bed.
"It might have taken some time, but when I saw her..." a light sheen covers Andre'ah's eyes for a brief moment, seeing something with her gift, before her eyes clear once more, "I just knew she was the one."
I can't agree more, my focus consumed by the vision of my dream angel, my little dove, come to life. Here, standing on the other side of the threshold, finally within reach, "Please, forgive any words of doubt I may have expressed over the years."
Andre'ah shrugs her shoulders, most likely having heard similar words from prior clients. "All is forgiven. Now go rescue your mate before her ex runs her off."
"Ex?" Even as I utter that single word my eyes catch on the human male storming through the gateway. The scowl on his face as rumpled as the obviously rented tuxedo drowning his frame as the light shines off the silver and black bracelet wrapped around his wrist.
"Maybe not yet but it's inevitable," her lips turn slightly in a smirk, taking a sip of her champagne before continuing, "Trust me. He just needs one more push. Then she'll be all yours."
Trust. A hard thing to give, especially in a world like ours, but loneliness is a better pill to swallow when you're looking at a sea of eternity by yourself. No amount of jewels, of money, or power can fill the void developing over time. The ache increasing from the realization that your soul craves something more. Something that is as ephemeral as starlight in the night sky. More precious than any treasure. Something that has been created just for you. The other half of your soul, split from the moment of your own birth, that's still wandering through the void, until it's finally reborn.
For years my dove's soulsong has reached out to me, a soft whispered brush against my soul as time flowed by. Her resonance finally reaching me when Andre'ah delivered that accursed statue to her. And while, at first I didn't trust her process of tethering a piece of my soul to such an infernal relic, one can not argue with results.
"Of course." Sliding my hands into my coat's pockets, trying to put on an air of nonchalance, I take a few steps toward themain doors, only pausing as a thought comes to mind. Looking over my shoulder, I ask, "And your payment?"
"I'll collect it in a few days, after you've had time to solidify your bond," she smiles, a hint of fang showing. A minor sign that the veil between worlds has begun to thin.
Nodding, I continue for the main doors, focused on nothing but my little dove as she frowns at whatever the door attendant is saying.
"Please, tell him that there's been some mistake made," her voice is a soft whisper on a gentle summer's breeze, soothing my demonic nature while simultaneously igniting a fire in my blood, as she looks helplessly at the human male Andre'ah pointed out earlier, "That I'm here, with you-"
"Where is it?" he demands, raising his hand as he refuses to give her the curtesy to finish.
Several words are muttered back and forth between themselves, their voices so low I don't hear the exact words but it doesn't matter. All I hear is the roar in my blood. The flames of anger eclipsing all other feelings. And all I see is red. Make that a soon to be *DEAD* human male.
*No, vengeance is not what she needs right now.* Pausing, I take a few deep breaths, trying to rein in my anger before I approach my little dove. *Right now she needs comfort. To be guided into her new world, not be left vulnerable as she's thrown into it.*
Confusion enters her eyes, tears already starting to form as she watches the human male walk away, leaving her alone. Exposed. *Unacceptable.*
"May I be of service?" I ask as I approach, silently dismissing the attendant with a single look.
My mate--FUCK, that sounds so good, even if it is just in my head for now--looks at the floor, her hands fidgeting with her purse strap.