Page 26 of The Witch Queen of Halloween (Immortals After Dark 20)

“Thoughthis is a new situation for me, my research indicates so.Butone of them—Annelise—can’t be killed at all, which is a problem since she’s telekinetic.Justbe careful if you see them.”

Heopened another door. “IfI’mnot,Iknow you’ll protect me, like you did with those skeletons.Youcried, ‘I’llsave you!’ and hustled into the fray for me.Howadorable was that?”

Herlips quirked.

Imitatingher voice, he said, “Neverfear, my precious demon!I’llmuster all my magic against these foes to defend you!”

Shelost the battle and fully smiled.Spellbindingwitch. “Youfinished?”

“Never.”Heleaned in beside her ear and whispered,“BOO!”

Shelaughed, a throaty sound that made him want to rub his horns all over her. “Okay, okay.”

“Youpitted me against gremlins, skeletons, and nowImight have to face . . .dollies.”

Heramusement faded. “Don’tunderestimate them,Rök.”

“IfIget taken out by a doll, thenIdeserve it, yeah?I’mstill waiting for a challenge.”Onto the next room . . . “Forthat matter, if we run into trouble again, save your pouches for your own protection.Howmany do you have left?”

She’dprobably never given an arsenal inventory to another merc before.Indicatinga measure of trust, she said, “Twofor battle magic and one for a portal.”

Thatwas it?Hefelt guilty that she’d blown one on the skeletons.

Shegazed ahead, so many thoughts going on behind those eyes.Heavythoughts.

Todistract her, he said, “Hey, vampires, werewolves, and witches used to be popularHalloweenfodder for mortals.Doyou ever get them as visitors?Theycould give us an actual fight.”

“Afew decades ago,Isaw a lot of them, but they corresponded more to humans’ ideas of us.Thinkgreen-skinned witches, snouty werewolves covered in fur, and caped vamps with chin-length fangs.”

“Demons?”

Hereyes glimmered, his merry witch returned. “Smallwith pointy tails and pitchforks.”

“Ouch!Soyour visitors are creatures that humansbelieveare myths—except some of them are real?Well, that just complicates theLoreneedlessly, no?”

“Keepsthings interesting.”Anotherbright grin.Howhad he ever considered her looks anything less than exquisite?

Thechildren’s laughter sounded once more, this time accompanied by the eerie tip-tap of little shoes.

Thesconce to his right flared; something shifted to his left.Heyanked free his sword and pivoted in that direction?—

Onlyto confront his own game face, reflecting back from a large wall mirror.

Witha relieved exhalation, he sheathed his blade. “Jumpscare, huh?”Headmired his reflection and smoothed his hair. “Nowonder you can’t keep your eyes off me.Wasthere ever a more smokin’ smoke demon?”

Shesnorted. “Yoursizable ego must be visible from theElserealms.”

“Notthe only part of me that can make such a claim.”Hecasually looped his arm around her neck, gazing at her in the mirror. “Andyou, pretty as a picture.”

Hercheeks heated at the compliment.Sheseemed to melt against him, just as she’d done in that parking lot.

“Speakingof pictures, do you ever pull up that selfie we took?”He’dsent it to her before she’d blocked him.

Hergaze flicked away. “Ikind of deleted it.”

Shewas telling the truth. “Isee.”Hisshot with her felt more and more distant.Washe not “romantic partner” material?He’dhoped she was different from the females who summoned him over the centuries, the ones who’d dismissed him afterward with all the care they’d give an overworked vibrator.DidPoppyview him the same way?Shemight’ve gone out withRökjust to scratch an itch.

Maybeshe was so hard-coreWiccanthat she would never consider a demon for more.

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