“You are to come with us,” he says. His voice is neither hard nor gentle, but at least he hasn’t arrested me on the spot.
Maybe this will actually work.
I stop sweating as the feeling slowly returns to my hands. When I start traipsing around in these ridiculously high heels again, I feel confident. The walkway to the Tower is lined with a black marble fountain that runs all the way up to the doors. Small lilies dance atop the mirror-like water. It really is lovely.
For as fearsome as everyone claims Uncle Aidoneus is, he has excellent taste. The gold-trimmed crystal sliding doors open for me with a satisfying swiftness. I step through and immediately feel the heat dissolve into cool, air-conditioned luxury.
All sense of security evaporates when I see Todd waiting for me. His jaw is tight, his eyes flashing as he says, “We meet again,Legs.”
One of the other Daemons grabs my hands and yanks them together behind my back. My jaw wrenches open in a silent scream.
“Didn’t think I would recognize you, did you? I detest scenes, which is exactly what would have happened if we had apprehended you out there. I figured it would be much easier to bring you inside first.”
I struggle to yank my arms back when something cold is jabbed into my neck. My eyes widen before I lose all control of my body.
“Don’t worry,” the Daemon Toth’toros sneers. “I have a cell fit for a princess.”
27
Picking Fights And Polygraphs
ERIK
"Can I get another?"
I slam the empty shot glass on the bar top, resting my prosthetic hand on the counter. My fingers brush at the dirt and grime, and I suppress a shiver of revulsion.
The quiet din of conversation surrounds me, but I don’t pay it any attention. I’ve been here for three hours, and my mood has steadily deteriorated. When I first entered the bar, I felt like getting a drink before leaving. But then I realized I had nowhere to go. No Helena to see. No real friends in the city anymore. I didn’t even have my ship.
I was alone and waiting to die.
So I gave up on my one-drink plan. Instead, I dove into the pit of anger and rage that had been simmering within me for the past twenty years.
The bartender turns around and smirks. His gray brows rise, and I feel his gaze dragging over me. I bristle at his obvious assessment.
"Are you sure you can handle another shot,human?" he asks. Disdain drips from his voice, and his gray wings rustle behind him as he approaches. His eyes flicker with amusement. The male positively towers over me.
"Don't say that word like it's an insult. It's small-minded," I say through clenched teeth. With my other hand, I reach into my pocket.
The Angel tenses, his wings snapping together as he widens his stance. My mouth twitches as I slap a stack of bills on the counter.
The bartender's position loosens as his lips form a wolfish smile. "Ah,” he nods. “I see."
His eyes gleam as he takes in the stack of cash. I can practically see the dollar bills in his eyes as he tilts his head. The way he realizes that he could make far more than the hundred dollars I’ve already paid him. His greed is understandable, but I clench my teeth.
I pick up the cash and put it back in my pocket as the Angel dips his head. His voice is silky smooth as he asks, "What can I get you, sir?"
“Another shot of Liquid Fire,” I reply firmly. “Keep them coming.”
The Angel nods, his greed winning out over his disdain. He turns his back, and the clanging of bottles tells me all I need to know.
A low whistle comes from beside me. “Damn, Erik,” the man next to me says. His stool creaks as he twists in the rickety seat. He elbows me, and I twist to glare at him. He sips his beer. “What’s with all the cash?”
“It’s been a good couple of years, Smith,” I reply.
The old acquaintance had walked into the bar an hour after me and had claimed the barstool to my right. He tried and failed to start numerous conversations, and eventually, he realized I wasn’t here to talk. We’ve been drinking in silence ever since.
Until now.