Мишель Роуэн - Something Wicked

Ben hadn’t been able to save his fiancée, but he’d damn well save Eden. Even if she didn’t want to be saved.

If this doesn’t go well , Darrak directed the thought toward the currently dormant Eden, then I’m very, very sorry .

Best to stay positive, though.

This might not suck.

Darrak slowly approached Theo, who sat on the other side of Luxuria, and didn’t take his attention away from his target for a moment.

It had been a knee-jerk reaction to flee earlier. Not brave or proactive in any way. But he was back. He had to deal with this now before things got out of control.

Well, more out of control.

The other demon watched the last steps of Darrak’s apprehensive approach before his dark-eyed gaze moved up and down Eden’s body. Darrak kept a reserve of power in case of emergencies. He’d recently used up the last dregs of his healing power, but he still had some destructive power hidden away if Theo tried anything.

Whether or not it would work while he possessed Eden was something he probably should have considered earlier. Hindsight was always 20/20.

There was a blonde sitting on Theo’s lap. His hand was on her butt, under her skirt, and her enthusiastic tongue was exploring the demon’s ear. Upon Darrak’s approach, the woman turned and glared at him.

“Get lost,” she snarled.

If Darrak hadn’t been feeling quite so on edge, he might have laughed. Did it look as though he was approaching Theo to hit on him? Terrific. He never should have insisted Eden wear a skirt this short tonight. It definitely gave off the wrong impression.

“I’ve been lost for a long time,” Darrak replied.

The blonde raked her hands through Theo’s long black hair. “He’s mine.”

“Trust me, you’re more than welcome to have him.”

Theo just looked at him with mild interest, and Darrak realized his old friend had no idea who he was. Couldn’t Theo sense Darrak’s presence inside this body at all?

Darrak flicked a glance at several empty glasses lined up on the glass table in front of him. Theo had been drinking tonight. Heavily, by the looks of it. Alcohol and other drugs affected demons as much as they affected humans — at least when the demon was in human form.

It wasn’t a huge surprise that Theo was drunk. He’d always enjoyed his vices.

“I grow weary of you,” Theo finally said as he pushed the blonde away from him. “Go away.”

She looked shocked. “What?”

“You heard me.”

“But I thought we were going to—”

His lips curled. “Whatever you thought, you were mistaken. Now go, before I make you.”

Her expression soured. “Asshole.”

And with that proclamation, she took the hint and left.

A very wise choice , Darrak thought, half wishing he could do the same.

“Please, my dear, have a seat.” Theo patted his thigh.

Darrak eyed him. That so wasn’t going to happen.

“Thanks,” he said, and instead tensely sat down on a chair across from the oblivious demon. Theo hadn’t changed physically since Darrak had last seen him. Not one bit. But under the exotically handsome exterior, Darrak knew there was a fierce archdemon lying in wait, ready to pounce, talons out, at the first sign of trouble. He felt the power emanating from Theo, and it only reminded him how weakened his own powers had become. If he had a gas tank, it would be flashing a low fuel warning.

The knowledge that Theo was infinitely more powerful than Darrak at the moment didn’t sit well with him — especially since his decision to come here had put Eden at risk as well. If he had a choice, he wouldn’t be there at all. But he had no choice. Now he had to step very shallowly into these dangerous waters. He hoped very much the sharks kept their teeth to themselves, but he was prepared if they didn’t.

“Why did you come here?” Darrak asked.

Then again, he’d never been one to step too shallowly.

Theo’s dark brows rose. “Here? At this nightclub?”

“Sure. In this club. In this city. Why here and why tonight?”

“You’re very direct. I like that in a woman.”

So did Darrak, actually. “Are you going to answer my question or not?”

“Very well.” Theo leaned back against the plush sofa. “I’m here for business reasons, but also because I’m looking for someone.”

“Who?”

“An old friend who may be in trouble. I was given information he might be here tonight. I want to help him if I can.”

Could it be that Theo was here looking for Darrak specifically? The thought didn’t help him to relax. It could mean anything or it could be an outright lie. Theo could have been sent to destroy him.

Had he always been this paranoid, or was that thanks to Eden’s influence?

Theo reached a hand over to squeeze Darrak’s borrowed knee. “But don’t worry. I also have plenty of time to get to know you as well, my dear. Intimately .”

Darrak pried Theo’s hand off and deposited it back in the demon’s lap. “Sorry. I’m not into guys.”

Theo’s eyes gleamed as a very nonhuman spark of fire lit inside their dark depths. “I do like a challenge. I think you’ll find I’m very hard to resist. Your protests only make things more interesting for me.”

Darrak’s initial apprehension began to fade, and he restrained himself from rolling his eyes. “Theo, you’ve always been blinded by booze and babes, haven’t you?”

The demon frowned. “How do you know my name?”

“Where did you get this information on your friend? And are you sure you’re here to help him? Or were you sent here to destroy him?”

“Destroy him? But why would I—” Theo broke off, his expression turning wary. “Who are you?”

Darrak could leave now. Walk away and ensure Eden’s safety. But he’d be ensuring it only for tonight. Tomorrow and beyond was another story.

“Look closer,” Darrak said. “I’m sure you can figure it out despite the eight rum and Cokes you’ve choked back tonight. You’re a smart boy.”

Theo sat up straight and leaned a fraction toward Darrak, slowly taking in Eden’s attractive exterior from head to toe with a blatant level of appreciation in his eyes.

“You’re a very beautiful woman, despite your less than appealing footwear.”

“Prevention of bunions is the new black. Keep looking. I’m sure you’ll get it eventually.”

Theo cocked his head as he concentrated harder. The loud music made it almost too difficult to speak, let alone to think. Men and women had to get very close to each other to be heard — part of the appeal of a club like this, Darrak figured. He took a moment to scan the room. Was Stanley, the wizard’s assistant, still here? He couldn’t see him anymore, at least not from this side of the crowded room.

That feeling he’d had earlier, of the lust and desperation — it felt like a solid thing now, touchable and real. All these humans after the same base need — sex. It worked to give the club an ambiance that was less than pleasant. As an ex-incubus, he was surprised he didn’t appreciate it more. But he didn’t. It felt. . threatening .

He had no idea why.

“Well?” he prompted after another moment. Best not to get distracted from why he was really here.

Theo’s gaze continued to move appreciatively over Darrak’s borrowed body, lingering at Eden’s chest for a moment before returning to her face.

Then, suddenly, his eyes widened with clarity. “Oh, shit.”

Finally. “Bingo.”

The demon’s mouth gaped open. “Darrak?”

“Yes.”

“I’ve been staring at your tits for the last five minutes.”