Page 11 of Princess of Hell

As a teenager, I had a horrible crush on him. I dropped the uncle and just called him Chris until it became clear that the Demon who was always there for me and had a way to make me smile was out of my reach. Even so, Chris was tall, with deep dark skin and a shaved head, and made my heart flutter. I swallowed the thought down. Another male I couldn’t have, couldn’t touch. Even his hugs, the hugs that felt friendly to him, had a different meaning to me. Why is my brain so wrong? Am I poorly wired? Or is this damned body chastity shield that keeps me away from every male I like and desire?

Sadie brought me a second serving of stew. The guys were still outside. The heat from the stew warmed me. As I looked around, I was the only one slightly shivering under the AC. I miss the heat. This dimension feels cold. A shot of whisky washed the stew down. I suck at waiting.

A large shifter built like a tank made his way to my table. “A little lady shouldn’t eat alone.”

I looked up from my stew. Can’t a Demoness get one moment of peace?

“Yes, you shouldn’t.” I looked toward his group of friends. “You should join the other little ladies over there.”

He looked pissed. I could feel the power rippling from him. I had no idea what he would shift into, but it would be enormous. He roared and I braced myself, ready for whatever would happen next. The beast rippled under his skin like the waves of a lake just before a predator jumps to the surface.

My body tensed and was ready to fight. Hard, fast, now. “Bring it on!”

Razor appeared in front of me, popping out of nowhere. “Kamal, chill.”

The one named Kamal growled between his fangs. He was about to shift. I saw his teeth turning to fangs.

“Razor, this is not your business,” he spat. I could smell the adrenaline in the air.

“Kamal, my friend, relax. It’s my business because it’s my bar. If you shift, you’ll break all the shit here, and it’s expensive. Then you’ll say you don’t have money to pay for it and will end up washing dishes and waiting tables for months. Let’s say that we both want to avoid that shit from happening. Now, how about you go to the bar and have a few beers on the house. I’ll even add a thick slice of Burlo Demon meat for the trip home.”

Kamal hit Razor on his shoulder and laughed. “Razor, my friend. I was just joking.”

Razor turned his back to Kamal and leaned closer to me. “Princess, I don’t think you want to see him shift, believe me.”

“Razor, what’s going on?” Jacks pushed the doors open and entered, followed by the other two. He posed his body in a protective way in front of me as if trying to shield me from everything.

“Jacks, it’s all good. I don’t need a protector.”

Jacks smiled and threw a look at Razor. “Kamal?”

Razor nodded and smiled. Jacks slapped him on his shoulder.

“Hey, is this Kamal like a celebrity or something?” I asked.

Drae chuckled. “I’ll tell you stories of Kamal if you ever feel bored.”

River was already gone, probably making out with Sadie in some corner. A prang of jealousy crashed inside my chest, not because Sadie made out with River, just because… damn, they could make out, touch, kiss, do the nasty.

Jacks spoke next. “Let’s go back to the table, finish the beers, and work out the details.”

* * *

Jacks

Silver had picked a fight with Kamal. Damn. I’m glad Razor stepped in. Silver smiled at me, and something inside tugged me toward her. She is trouble, no doubt, but her broken bits and pieces kind of match mine. For the first time in my life, I felt as if… I don’t know. She was broken but in a good way that matched all my cracks and issues.

Silver downed one bottle of beer and then another. She pointed toward herself. “I’d need a huge quantity of alcohol to get me at least a little bit tipsy.”

“Same for us. I talked to the guys. We want to help you and are willing to have your back, but we’re not cheap. Five grand a week each, plus expenses.”

Silver stretched her gloved hand toward me. “Deal. I can pay in advance if you guys want.”

“No, we rely on trust. Silver, you’re part of the pack now. You’re one of us.”

“I appreciate your help. It’s nice to have a pack.”

“Where next?”

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