Page 8 of Princess of Hell

“What are you?” River spit it out, angry and curious at the same time. I couldn’t understand his anger. My skin burned him, but I asked him not to touch me, and he did it despite it. His shifter nature helped him heal fast, so I don’t see a problem.

“River!” Jacks growled at him. “You can’t ask her that. Where are your manners?”

River had a defying attitude. “No? Why the fuck not? It’s clear to all of us that her skin burns and that she smells strange. She’s not a shifter. She was half-dead, and now she’s fine. I have to know who I’m dealing with.”

“Shut up, River!” Jacks said it in a way that gave me goosebumps. River leaned his head back, exposing his neck.

“Yes, Alpha,” he muttered.

“Silver doesn’t have to tell us anything! She asked you not to touch her and you did. That burn is on you.”

I cleared my throat. “I’m going. I think it’s best if I leave.”

“No!” There was an edge of command to Jacks voice. Did this guy really try to pull the Alpha command on me?

“I’m not one of your pups. That doesn’t work on me.” I stood and left the table, making my way through the sweaty bodies. I had to search for the witch Uncle Chris pointed me toward if I ever hoped to find my necklace and get home in time for my wedding. Oh joy, I’m getting married.”

As the name Caspian entered my thoughts, I rolled my eyes so hard I had the feeling they would roll back into my head.

I stood and headed for the exit. I planned to wing it as I went. If I find the witch and if she helps me find the necklace, maybe I can also track down my mother. If I finally discover who my mother is, perhaps I could persuade her to help me get out of this engagement.

Every guy in the bar looked at me. I’m beautiful, yet there’s a huge warning sign on me. Most demons can feel it. It seems as if the shifters can sense it, too. My powers and the strength of the blood running through my veins scares away other supernatural creatures.

I reached the door and stepped out into the parking lot, fully determined not to walk back inside.

“Silver.” Jacks voice sent shivers through my body. I stopped and turned to face the Alpha. He was not beautiful, not in the conventional sense, at least, with his thick scars. To me, those scars spoke about him being unafraid, a survivor, someone I would want to have on my side.

“Stay. River talks shit. I put him in his place. He won’t upset you anymore.” Jacks voice was deep and calm. He sent warm shivers through my cool body. I leaned my head to the side to get a better look at Jacks.

“Why would you fight with your pack and your brother because of me?”

“I don’t. Listen, you ruffled River’s feathers, but he’s a decent guy. Have dinner with us. Any woman who fights a Burlo Demon all alone is someone I want to know better.” Jacks made a “come on” motion with his head.

I was torn between the cherry red Mercedes that awaited me in the parking lot and going back in with Jacks. I wanted to know him, too. Know what caused those scars. Maybe, just maybe, I could get them to help me. My time was running out, and I was no closer to retrieving my necklace.

“Okay, I’ll go back inside, but if River is still an ass, my gloves are off.”

“Deal.” Jacks smiled a full sweet smile. Just for a second, I imagined how it would feel to have his lips touching mine.

* * *

Jacks

I couldn’t let her leave. It was the first time in my entire life I ran after a woman. But damn, Silver is something else.

By the time we got back to our table, the stew had been served. Silver took a long sip of her beer before she dug into the bowl of steamy stew.

I could not take my eyes off her.

“I know why the Burlo Demon followed me, but why did you guys hunt it?” Silver asked while eating.

“Freebie,” Drae muttered and dunked a piece of the fresh, warm, white roll into the stew.

“We’re bounty hunters. When we pick up some truly dangerous creature, we hunt it down and end it. It’s what we do. Like a public service.”

Silver bit her lower lip and smiled. “Bounty hunters? Are you on a job now?”

“Not at the moment.”

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